Call Charge Metering Or Monitoring Patents (Class 379/114.01)
  • Patent number: 10432468
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an indication of an occurrence of a triggering event for one or more notifications relevant to one or more users. The notifications are sent to one or more of the users through one or more of a number of notifications channels, and each notification channel is associated with one or more software applications. The method also includes accessing a number of notification policies associated with the software applications. Each of the software applications has at least one associated notification policy. At least one of the notification policies associated with a first one of the software applications is interrelated with at least one other notification policy associated with a second one of the software applications. The method also includes sending one or more notifications to one or more users through one or more of the number of notification channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Yiting Li, Chao Teng, Yiyu Li, Zhengxiao Cao
  • Patent number: 10412217
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for verifying a caller ID field of an outbound telephone call. A termination service provider call server receives a call request from a calling endpoint that includes a called endpoint telephone number, and a caller ID telephone number. The termination service provider call server determines a calling endpoint telephone number assigned to the calling endpoint and creates an “in use” message comprising the calling endpoint telephone number and a timestamp of when the call request was received. The “in use” message is forwarded to an active call database before forwarding the call request to an inbound carrier call server servicing the called endpoint telephone number. The inbound carrier call server receives the call request intended and sends a query to the active call database to determine whether the caller ID telephone number in the call request is currently in use. The active call database sets the status of telephone numbers contained in all received “in use” messages to in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: REPUBLIC WIRELESS, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Stephens
  • Patent number: 10382630
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a Telecommunications Service Subscription Integration (TSSI) system that generates an integrated service subscription for a client device operating on a telecommunications network. The integrated service subscription may aggregate service features from multiple service subscriptions, and prioritize application of one service subscription within the integrated service subscription over another, or one service feature within the integrated service subscription over another. The TSSI system may also determine whether client eligibility for a service subscription is current or has lapsed. In doing so, the integrated service subscription may be adjusted to remove ineligible service subscriptions and re-prioritize remaining service features. The TSSI system may monitor usage of an integrated service subscription and recommend additional, or alternative, service subscriptions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: HH Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Kristoffer Lentz, Kimberley Lehrman, Mike Schmidt, Dennis Henderson
  • Patent number: 10383033
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling network loss in a wireless access system includes determining whether network loss has occurred or not and, if a Mobile Station (MS) attempts an entry in which the network loss has occurred, transmitting one of a first message including information associated with prohibiting new entry and a second message including information associated with informing that a supported service is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Bin Chang, Rakesh Taori
  • Patent number: 10366400
    Abstract: Methods score users to determine if they will receive marketing communications sent to users on a subscription list. One method calculates an un-subscription score for a user based on: a degree of sentiment determined by identifying user interaction with a web page and assessing content of the interaction for indications of sentiment; or a degree of sentiment determined by identifying a user communication and assessing its content for indications of sentiment. Responsive to determining that the un-subscription score exceeds a threshold, the method excludes the user when sending the marketing communication to users on the subscription list. Another method calculates a degree of sentiment based on user interactions with a page and user communications, and calculates the user's un-subscription score based on the degree of sentiment. Responsive to comparing the un-subscription score with a threshold, the method excludes the user when sending the marketing communication to users on the list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Adobe Inc.
    Inventors: Stéphane Moreau, Sachin Soni, Ashish Duggal, Anmol Dhawan
  • Patent number: 10368145
    Abstract: One or more aspects of the disclosure relate to various functions and processes related to routing of calls based on origination and/or destination information. In one aspect, a method may comprise receiving a request for a call session, and the request may include an indicator that may indicate whether to route a call based on origination and/or destination information of the call session. Based on the indicator, a routing element may determine whether the call session should be routed based on origination information and/or destination information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Arvind Kaushal, Jon Boone, Brett Sherman, Richard Wikoff, Jaime Jimenez
  • Patent number: 10354347
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes accessing information indicative of a question to be answered by a medical patient, with the question being included in a medical assessment questionnaire of a medical service provider; receiving information indicative of a selection of one or more triggering events for answers to the question; and generating, for the question, a medical alert rule, with the medical alert rule comprising instructions to perform operations comprising: receiving an answer of the medical patient to the question; detecting, based on contents of the received answer, the triggering event for the question; and generating a medical questionnaire alert to notify the medical service provider that the medical patient has answered the question with the answer that is defined as being unacceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Research Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Ali Adel Hussam
  • Patent number: 10356251
    Abstract: A system, smart device and method for apportioning costs of smart device operations between purposes. Operation information concerning operations performed by the smart device is recorded. The operations are apportioned between purposes based on categorization information and the operation information. The cost of the apportioned operations performed by the device is determined for the purposes based on the operation information and tariff information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Mobility View Inc.
    Inventor: Thom Damstra
  • Patent number: 10341498
    Abstract: A method for revenue assurance in a telephone network. The method comprises receiving a call request from a first user device on a network to a second user device, where the user device associated with a first user account has an account credit value insufficient to complete the requested call. A call timer duration is set to instantly expire on encountering a chargeable event. The call is continued toward the second user device. Upon encountering a chargeable event, the call is released. The chargeable event may be presenting a Ring Back Tone to the caller and confirming that the second device is ringing. The chargeable event may be detecting when the call has been answered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Ari Kahn
  • Patent number: 10291769
    Abstract: A method for controlling a one-touch call mode of a mobile terminal, in which a user can select the call quality of a voice call in consideration of a calling rate. The user interface of the mobile terminal for the selection occupies only a minimum area, providing a small, efficient user interface. The method includes steps of: displaying, on one section of a touch screen, a one-touch call mode switching menu for switching between voice mode and data communication mode when the user makes a selection; and displaying, adjacent to the switching menu on the touch screen, rate per hour information predetermined according to a region for the voice mode or the data communication mode, as selected by the user. The rate per hour information is displayed as calculated with reference to the mode and the selected region, whenever the voice mode and the data communication mode are switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: OPENVACS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young Min Jeoung
  • Patent number: 10284729
    Abstract: A subscription adaptation engine computes a network utilization metric for a plurality of resource bins, each resource bin representing the network utilization at a network location within a time slot. A subscriber utilization metric is computed for activities by a subscriber within the resource bins and a subscriber predictability metric is computed for the subscriber based on the subscriber utilization metric and network utilization metric. Subscriber profiling is performed for the subscriber based on the subscriber utilization metrics and subscriber predictability metric and a subscription profile for the subscriber is adapted, thereby enabling service charging based on the adapted subscription profile. The amount of real-time or near real-time signaling needed to show a different price for each location and/or time of a user may thereby be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Icaro L. J. Da Silva, Åsa Bertze, Jing Fu, Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 10270906
    Abstract: Inbound call system and method implementations that provide sponsors of resident media and/or communications devices priority inbound calling host inbound calling accounts established by non-residents sponsors of sponsored resident devices. A unique address identifier (AID) of each sponsored resident device is associated with a particular non-resident sponsor (and a particular resident). Inbound calls to sponsored resident media and/or communications devices are received, the calling party is authenticated as associated with an AID of the called resident device the party is calling, and it is determined whether the calling party is a sponsor of the called resident device. If so, any ongoing call, and/or other activity, taking place on the sponsored resident device is interrupted and the non-resident inbound call is connected with the sponsored resident device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Keiser, Scott Passe, Krishna Balantrapu, Alexander Noland
  • Patent number: 10270905
    Abstract: Sponsorship of controlled-environment facility resident media and/or communications devices by non-residents may include associating a non-resident with an address identifier of a sponsored resident media and/or communications device and associating a controlled-environment facility resident identified by the non-resident with the address identifier of the sponsored device. Thereafter, inbound calls to the sponsored device are connected as a result of confirming that an inbound calling party is associated with the address identifier of the sponsored device and verifying that the resident operating the sponsored device is associated with the address identifier of the sponsored device. Revocation of sponsorship of the sponsored device removes or deactivates association of the non-resident with the address identifier of the sponsored device and removes or deactivates association of the controlled-environment facility resident with the address identifier of the sponsored media and/or communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Keiser, Scott Passe, Krishna Balantrapu, Alexander Noland
  • Patent number: 10271271
    Abstract: A method for dynamically influencing the choice of a mobile network operator profile used by a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network includes: defining a plurality of trigger events and determining a switching probability for each trigger event, wherein the user equipment switches from the first mobile network operator profile to the second mobile network operator profile if the switching probability exceeds a predefined threshold. A switching related information is transmitted to the user equipment, the switching related information corresponding to information related to either a modification of the first mobile network operator profile, or to a modification of the second mobile network operator profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
    Inventor: Stefan Kaliner
  • Patent number: 10264447
    Abstract: The implementation of anonymization validation protects the privacy of subscribers that uses the telecommunication services of a wireless telecommunication network. The anonymization validation checks the data in an anonymized communication record table to ensure the data is properly filtered or encrypted. The anonymized communication record table contains data pertaining to at least one of telephone calls, messages, and data connectivity sessions that are initiated or received by multiple subscribers of a wireless telecommunication network. The anonymized communication record is generated from an original communication record table via filtering out or encryption of the data pertaining to one or more subscribers. The performance of the anonymization validation includes performing opt-out filtering validation, network cell anonymity filtering validation, and telephone number encryption validation on the anonymized communication record table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Rami Al-Kabra, Noah Dahlstrom, Prem Kumar Bodiga
  • Patent number: 10235659
    Abstract: A system and method for making proceeds of a transaction available to a user before the transaction is completed is provided. The system may be part of an on-line system or traditional merchant configured to facilitate payments or fund transfers from users. In example embodiments, a request from a first entity to conduct a transaction involving a first value is received. Funds of the transaction are caused to be released prior to the transaction clearing a financial institution. Based on the transaction being rejected by the financial institution, at least a portion of the first value is charged against a credit source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: PayPal, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Paul Nosek, Christopher Richman, Roelof Frederik Botha, Maria Lee, Kyle Hansen, Todd Pearson, Denise Aptekar
  • Patent number: 10230851
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring telephone calls to detect call traffic pumping activity and take corrective action is described. The system receives a group of training telephone calls having associated call audio content and associated information, and the system analyzes the training telephone calls to generate and store a classification model that correlates call features and associations with a probability of call traffic pumping activity. The system receives a subsequent monitored telephone call to be analyzed. The system analyzes the monitored telephone call to identify features present in the audio content of the monitored telephone call and other associated information. The system then compares the features and associated information to the stored classification model in order to determine a probability that the monitored telephone call is associated with call traffic pumping activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Marchex, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Flaks, Iroro Orife, Bryan Rieger, Ryan O Rourke, Shane Walker
  • Patent number: 10210592
    Abstract: A computerized method, system, and computer program product can allow for processing by a processor data records (xDRs). The method can include receiving by the processor xDRs, each xDR including a vector of unique data fields, the xDRs forming together a stream. The stream can be stored by the processor in a memory of a general purpose graphic processor unit (GPGPU). An index vector of xDRs can be created by the processor, wherein each xDR is assigned a unique index identifier, and stored by the processor in a memory of the GPGPU. The index vector of xDRs is sorted with respect to at least a key of at least a unique data element selected. The sorted index vector can be stored in the memory of the GPGPU. A selection of at least the unique data field can be performed and aggregation of the stream performed with respect to the selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: TEOCO Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoav Sapir, Ori Cahana
  • Patent number: 10194373
    Abstract: A wireless device including a processor and memory. The memory stores executable instructions and rules. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the device to store, if the wireless device forms part of a network including other wireless device and a backbone, information detailing topology of the network and/or status of other devices of the network, based on the rules. The topology information estimates costs and/or benefits of transmitting data to the backbone via other wireless devices of the network and based on the rules estimates the costs and/or benefits of transmitting data directly to the backbone. One or both estimates combine an estimation of technical costs of data transmission, compensation payments, and path length dependent network benefits. The device determines whether the costs and/or benefits of a direct exchange with the backbone outweigh those of data exchange with the backbone via other nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Georgios Kalogridis, Orestis Georgiou
  • Patent number: 10154118
    Abstract: A communication application server is provided with a unified framework for call control and media control. The framework supports a unified API having class objects and functions conforming to a telephony object model. The class objects are invoked and manipulated by a finite set of commands and an application program essentially issues a series of such commands to operate the communication application server. More particularly, an API server on the communication application server defining a messaging API protocol enables an application script to pass commands remotely to the communication application server to operate it. This allows application scripts to be processed remotely by appropriate scripting engines. In this way, application scripting is decoupled from the operation of the communication application server, which only needs to focus on providing basic communication services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Maria de Castro, Jr., Neil Stratford, Wei Chen, Zhiyu Liu, Xiaopu Zhu, Jason Scott Goecke
  • Patent number: 10122857
    Abstract: A service session is facilitated via a packet switched network; in the service session, user equipment participates in an interactive communication exchange with an agent via a first interaction mode, and the interactive communication exchange is based on a user inquiry. The interactive communication exchange is monitored and a determination is made that a consultation service would facilitate resolution of the user inquiry. A service resource is associated with the service session responsive to determining that the consultation service would facilitate the resolution; the service resource provides consultation to the agent via a second interaction mode without exposing the consultation to the user equipment. The consultation elevates an experience level employed in the first service session towards resolution of the user inquiry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Reuben Klein, Mazin E. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10123225
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes usage monitoring techniques. In one example, a method comprises storing, by a monitoring device that performs usage monitoring for at least one packet flow that traverses an access network by which subscriber devices access a packet data network, data indicating an amount of unused granted service units for the at least one packet flow that is unused as of a policy rule deactivation time for one or more policy rules matched by the at least one packet flow. The monitoring device further reactivates the usage monitoring for the at least one packet flow at a policy rule reactivation time for the one or more policy rules matched by the at least one packet flow based on an updated amount of granted service units, wherein the updated amount of granted service units are based on the data indicating the amount of unused granted service units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashish Jain, Anand Narayanan Rao, Prasad Chigurupati, Jegan Kumar Somi Ramasamy Subramanian
  • Patent number: 10110436
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing and providing content and services on a network system. Aspects of the invention include controlling user perceived connection speed. Other aspects of the invention include authorization and authentication components that determine access rights of client computers. Additional aspects include systems and methods for directing client computers to select connection speed. The disclosed systems and methods may be used in numerous network system applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: NOMADIX, INC.
    Inventors: Joel E. Short, Florence Jacquet-Pagan, Joshua J. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 10083295
    Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that can be configured to acquire a plurality of reputations related to an object and combine the plurality of reputations to create a total reputation for the object. The object can include a plurality of sub-objects and each of the plurality of reputations can correspond to one of the sub-objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: McAfee, LLC
    Inventors: Joel R. Spurlock, John D. Teddy
  • Patent number: 10043003
    Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that can be configured to acquire a plurality of reputations related to an object and combine the plurality of reputations to create a total reputation for the object. The object can include a plurality of sub-objects and each of the plurality of reputations can correspond to one of the sub-objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: McAfee, LLC
    Inventors: Joel R. Spurlock, John D. Teddy
  • Patent number: 10027821
    Abstract: Provided are a billing system, a billing apparatus, and a billing method capable of billing for device-to-device direct communication (D2D communication) performed using a radio access network such as LIE. A terminal 400A sends a billing apparatus 200 billing-related information to be used to bill for direct communication. The billing apparatus 200 acquires the billing-related information from the radio communication terminal and generates billing information on the direct communication based on the billing-related information acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventors: Shin-ichi Isobe, Katsutoshi Nishida
  • Patent number: 10021251
    Abstract: Usage information is determined that describes usage of different services by a user device. A combined usage of the different services utilized by the user device is determined and compared to monitoring criteria. When the monitoring criteria are satisfied, an electronic message is sent to an address associated with the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Aaron, Jun-Gang Alin
  • Patent number: 10015789
    Abstract: Techniques for supporting communication in an asynchronous TDD wireless network are described. In an aspect, downlink transmissions and uplink transmissions may be sent on different carriers in an asynchronous TDD wireless network to mitigate interference. In one design, a station (e.g., a base station or a UE) may send a first transmission on a first carrier in a first time period and may receive a second transmission on a second carrier in a second time period. The station may only transmit, or only receive, or neither in each time period. In one design, allocation of carriers for the downlink and uplink may be performed when strong interference is detected, e.g., by a base station or a UE. When strong interference is not detected, the first and second carriers may each be used for both the downlink and uplink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Aamod D. Khandekar, Ravi Palanki, Peter Gaal, Tingfang Ji, Naga Bhushan, Juan Montojo
  • Patent number: 9998363
    Abstract: A process and apparatus to facilitate communication between callers and callees in a system comprising a plurality of nodes with which callers and callees are associated is disclosed. In response to initiation of a call by a calling subscriber, a caller identifier and a callee identifier are received. Call classification criteria associated with the caller identifier are used to classify the call as a public network call or a private network call. A routing message identifying an address, on the private network, associated with the callee is produced when the call is classified as a private network call and a routing message identifying a gateway to the public network is produced when the call is classified as a public network call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: VoIP-Pal.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Johan Emil Viktor Björsell, Fuad Arafa
  • Patent number: 9967241
    Abstract: A mobile device receives from a first client application a request to exchange first data over a mobile communication network. The mobile device determines whether the first client application is associated with a first persona or a second persona of a user. Upon determining the first client application is associated with the first persona, the mobile device establishes a first data connection based on a first Access Point Name (APN) network identifier with the mobile communication network and routes the first data over the first data connection. The mobile device also receives from a second client device a request to exchange second data over the mobile communication network. Upon determining the second client application is associated with the second persona, the mobile device establishes a second data connection based on a second APN network identifier with the mobile communication network and routes the second data over the second data connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc., Cellco Partnership
    Inventors: Uma V. Raman, Eric R. Koob, Paul M. Decker, Steven Mancuso, Satish Kumar Hosanagara, Shashi Neelakantan, Bilal Wahid, William D. Versen
  • Patent number: 9955386
    Abstract: A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium having instructions to receive channel information from a node of a first network, wherein the channel information indicates a channel to use to access a second network when a switchover is invoked, wherein the first network and the second network operate according to different communicative standards; store the channel information; attempt to establish a session with another device via the first network; determine whether an establishment of the session via the first network is successful; and invoke the switchover, wherein the switchover includes using the channel information to attempt to establish a same session via the second network, in response to a determination that the establishment of the session via the first network failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventors: Lily Zhu, Andrew E. Youtz, Christopher M. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9940818
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a mobile phone loss prevention function by means of Bluetooth earphones. The method includes: a link loss determination step (S10) of measuring a sensitivity of a signal transmitted/received between a mobile phone and the Bluetooth earphone and determining occurrence of a link loss; warning sound generation steps (S20, S40, and S60) of, when the link loss has occurred, generating a warning sound, which warns of loss of the mobile phone, through the Bluetooth earphone in such a manner as to amplify a volume of the warning sound from a low volume to a high volume for each step; and warning sound stop identification steps (S30, S50, and S70) of determining whether a warning sound stop button has been operated by a user who has recognized the warning sound and selecting whether the generation of the warning sound is to be stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: MOBIFREN CO., LTD
    Inventor: Joo Won Heo
  • Patent number: 9916462
    Abstract: The present embodiments describe methods and systems for intercepting unauthorized communications in a controlled-environment facility. Unauthorized communications may originate from contraband cell phones, for example. In an embodiment, attempted communications from the contraband communication device are intercepted by the facility communication systems. The attempted communication may or may not be connected or completed, depending upon facility rules, policies, and regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9906927
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are example embodiments for multi-modality communication initiation. Described embodiments may include, but are not limited to, initiation of a multi-modality communication between an initiation communication device and a destination communication device. By way of example but not limitation, an initiating user may interact with an initiating communication device using a textual interaction modality, and a destination user may interact with a destination communication device using a voice interaction modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9906565
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a session merging entity in a communication system IMS. The merging entity is handling communication of the first user; the communication comprises a first session and a second session. The first session and the second session are merged into a single session towards the second user, if the same IMS communication service identifier has been indicated for the first session and the second session. The merging entity may also be located at the terminal device of the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Jari Mutikainen, Miikka Juhana Poikselka
  • Patent number: 9883052
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software that perform offline charging. One embodiment comprises a Charging Data Function (CDF) of an Offline Charging System (OFCS). The CDF receives accounting requests for a session from a Charging Trigger Function (CTF), and generates an incomplete Charging Data Record (CDR) for the session based on the accounting requests. The CDF identifies request identifiers (ID) assigned to the accounting requests used to generate the first incomplete CDR, and inserts the request IDs in the incomplete CDR. The CDF determines whether one or more of the accounting requests used to generate the incomplete CDR were indicated as a re-transmitted accounting request by the CTF, and inserts content information for the re-transmitted accounting request(s) in the incomplete CDR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ranjan Sharma, Yigang Cai
  • Patent number: 9876909
    Abstract: A first service session is facilitated via a packet switched network, wherein user equipment participates in a first interactive communication exchange with a first agent via a first interaction mode, wherein the first interactive communication exchange is based on a user inquiry. The first interactive communication exchange is monitored and a determination is made that a consultation service would facilitate resolution of the user inquiry. A service resource is associated with the first service session responsive to the determining that the consultation service would facilitate the resolution, wherein the service resource provides consultation to the first agent via a second interaction mode of the plurality of interaction modes, without exposing the consultation to the user equipment, and wherein the consultation elevates an experience level employed in the first service session towards resolution of the user inquiry. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Reuben Klein, Mazin E. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9860729
    Abstract: AS-B (810) measures a telephone call time from a time point when a telephone call, which is audio-originated by UE (100), starts. When a time obtained by subtracting the telephone call time from a time for which the UE (100) can telephone-call becomes a predetermined time, the AS-B (810) issues a multiplex instruction to FAP (200). When having received the multiplex instruction, the FAP (200) multiplexes a sound, which is based on a sound source file stored in advance, with audio data to be transmitted to the UE (100), and transmits the audio data, with which the sound has been multiplexed, to the UE (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoya Kogure, Yusuke Miyagawa, Takayuki Kido, Takuo Akimoto, Yasuhiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9846905
    Abstract: Systems, gateway computers, and methods for using a gateway abstraction layer and application platform interfaces for conducting service transactions are disclosed. A gateway abstraction layer computers can receive service requests in multiple message formats or communication protocols, transform those service requests into other message formats to process the service using one or more networks or third-party service providers. The results of the service request can then be translated back to the message format in which the original service request was received. The gateway abstraction layer can be maintained using update messages received from service providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Edward Katzin, Mark Carlson
  • Patent number: 9820127
    Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing online charging in LTE/EPC communication networks. In an LTE/EPC communication network, one or more LTE network elements connect to an Online Charging System (OCS) over an enhanced interface. The LTE network element that is serving a session for a mobile device triggers on a charging event, and generates a credit request message (e.g., Diameter CCR). The LTE network element identifies access information for the session indicating the type of access for the mobile device to the LTE/EPC communication network, and inserts the access information in the credit request message. Through the enhanced interface, the LTE network element is able to transmit the credit request message to the OCS with the access information. The access information may then be used in the OCS to determine a more accurate charging rate for the session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Yigang Cai, Xiangyang Li
  • Patent number: 9819811
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a better user experience and provider profitability. An exemplary system includes a telecommunications device subject to a cellular service plan from a cellular carrier. The telecommunications device includes an application program that gathers device usage data and determines whether the current cellular service plan is the best service plan based on gathered usage data. If a current cellular service plan is not the best service plan, based on the gathered usage data, then cellular service plans from the current cellular service provider or other service providers are measured against the gathered device-usage data to determine the best available service plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Eyal Rotem
  • Patent number: 9801191
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present specification provides a method for resource allocation by a serving cell base station, for supporting interference removal. The resource allocation method may comprise the steps of: determining whether or not UE has an interference removal function; and if the UE has the interference removal function, allocating resource blocks (RB) to the UE through a negotiation with an interfering cell with respect to the allocation of the resource blocks (RB). Herein the resource blocks (RB) of the interfering cell, which are co-located with the resource blocks (RB) according to the negotiation, may be allocated to another UE by the interfering cell without being divided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Manyoung Jung, Sangwook Lee, Jinyup Hwang, Yoonoh Yang, Suhwan Lim
  • Patent number: 9769310
    Abstract: An incoming communication processing system and method is disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. Specifically, the incoming communication processing system allows outside parties to initiate communications to residents of a controlled facility. The incoming communication processing system may work in conjunction with or separately from an outgoing communication processing system. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the incoming communication system in order to prevent improper use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 9723154
    Abstract: A system, smart device and method for apportioning costs of smart device operations between purposes. Operation information concerning operations performed by the smart device is recorded. The operations are apportioned between purposes based on categorization information and the operation information. The cost of the apportioned operations performed by the device is determined for the purposes based on the operation information and tariff information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Mobility View Inc.
    Inventor: Thom Damstra
  • Patent number: 9723153
    Abstract: A system and method for generating Call Detail Records (CDR) to optimize network usage notifications to a mobile device subscriber. The system and method can include a billing system module that determines CDR generation parameters for the mobile device subscriber based on the mobile device subscriber's network usage, including increasing CDR generation when the mobile device subscriber's network usage relative to a predetermined quota is high and/or decreasing CDR generation when the mobile device subscriber's network usage relative to the predetermined quota is low. The CDR generation parameters can be applied to control CDR generation for the mobile device subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AFFIRMED NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Deepak Garg, Srinivas Kappla, Philip To
  • Patent number: 9717074
    Abstract: A relay user equipment (UE) device is operable to provide a currently activated function to a 3GPP network entity and an application out of the 3GPP network. The currently activated function of the relay UE device reflects whether the relay UE device is operating as a regular terminal UE or relay UE. The disclosed relay UE device and base station provide an enhanced monitoring response with an enhanced positioning granularity to a position monitoring request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chi-Chang Lu
  • Patent number: 9705685
    Abstract: A charging control method and system are provided that can reduce the processing load on a function of performing charging control. The charging control system includes a policy and charging rules function (PCRF), a plurality of gateways (P-GWs) each including a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF), and a relay section including a relay server and a switch that connects the PCRF and the plurality of PCEFs in a hierarchical manner. The PCRF is directly connected to the relay section, whereby the number of sessions is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yamada, Makoto Fujinami, Ippei Akiyoshi, Yasuhiro Mizukoshi
  • Patent number: 9699092
    Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting QoS parameters associated with a virtual circuit is disclosed. The virtual circuit includes a first end connected to a first router and a second end connected to a second router. The method includes receiving an offer message at the second router, and sending a request message to the first router. The offer message includes a first set of QoS parameters and the request message includes a second set of QoS parameters. The method further includes receiving a request confirmation message at the second router, receiving a new offer message at the second router, and sending information compliant with the second set of QoS parameters to the first router. The new offer message includes the second set of QoS parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: Eddie Albert Kempe
  • Patent number: 9667781
    Abstract: A method is provided for implementing a local call hold in a dual subscription dual active first communication device. A first voice call may be established with a second communication device via a first communication network. An indication of a second voice call may be received from a third communication device via a second communication network. The first voice call may be placed on hold by sending a call hold indicator within a regularly transmitted frame to the second communication device. The second voice call may be established with the third communication device after placing the first voice call on hold. The first voice call with the second communication device may be subsequently resumed by excluding the call hold indicator from the regularly transmitted frame to the second communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Abhijeet Sinha, Nitin Sachdeva, Neha Goel
  • Patent number: 9660818
    Abstract: In a method carried out in a telecommunication network, a policy decision function provides an instruction to a policy enforcement function and/or a traffic detection function. Within the instruction, some service instances of a service are identified by the order according to which the service instances are started. The instruction also indicates: (i) a service instance level reporting rule according to which the policy enforcement function and/or traffic detection function should report, or should not report, information to the policy decision function after occurrence of an event relating to any one of the identified service instances; and/or (ii) a service instance level enforcement rule that the policy enforcement function and/or traffic detection function should enforce on a received packet relating to any one of the identified service instances. The invention also relates to network nodes and computer programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Telefonktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Fabian Castro Castro, Susana Fernandez Alonso, David Shrader