Abstract: A processing system may maintain a communication graph that includes nodes representing a plurality of phone numbers including a first phone number and edges between the nodes representing a plurality of communications between the plurality of phone numbers and may generate at least one vector via a graph embedding process applied to the communication graph, the at least one vector representing features of at least a portion of the communication graph. The processing system may then apply the at least one vector to a prediction model that is implemented by the processing system and that is configured to predict whether the first phone number is associated with a type of network activity associated with a telecommunication network and may implement a remedial action in response to an output of the prediction model indicating that the first phone number is associated with the type of network activity.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for communicating transaction data between mobile devices, including: registering account data associated with a merchant account corresponding to short message service (SMS) device data associated with a point-of-sale (POS) device, and account data associated with a user account as corresponding to SMS device data associated with a user device; receiving, via an SMS communication connection, transaction data associated with a transaction from the POS device, verifying the POS device and the user device are registered; in response to determining that an account balance of the user account is greater than the transaction authorization limit, transmitting a first confirmation message associated with the transaction, via an SMS communication connection, to the user device to confirm the transaction; and in response to receiving a first confirmation response associated with the transaction, via an SMS communication connection, processing the transaction data.

Abstract: An embodiment may involve a database containing a first user profile that specifies a first preferred language of a first user and a second user profile that specifies a second preferred language of a second user. The embodiment may also involve one or more processors configured to: receive, from the first user and within a chat session, a first set of messages in the first preferred language; cause the first set of messages to be translated into the second preferred language; provide, to the second user and within the chat session, the first set of messages as translated; receive, from the second user and within the chat session, a second set of messages in the second preferred language; cause the second set of messages to be translated into the first preferred language; and provide, to the first user and within the chat session, the second set of messages as translated.

Abstract: Techniques and architectures enable a wireless communications network to allow for dynamic changes or on-the-fly selections of Fair Usage thresholds or other thresholds and to allow for the Fair Usage thresholds to be associated with individual subscribers of the wireless communications network. Subscriber groups of relatively small granularity or individual subscribers may be assigned a profile that sets forth actions to be applied to subscribers in response to the subscribers reaching particular thresholds of data usage.

Abstract: An embodiment may involve a database containing a first user profile that specifies a first preferred language of a first user and a second user profile that specifies a second preferred language of a second user. The embodiment may also involve one or more processors configured to: receive, from the first user and within a chat session, a first set of messages in the first preferred language; cause the first set of messages to be translated into the second preferred language; provide, to the second user and within the chat session, the first set of messages as translated; receive, from the second user and within the chat session, a second set of messages in the second preferred language; cause the second set of messages to be translated into the first preferred language; and provide, to the first user and within the chat session, the second set of messages as translated.

Abstract: A wireless service provider system for authorizing wireless service on a wireless device includes a backend system. The backend system configured receive a request for the wireless service along with a monetary value of the wireless service in any requested amount from the connected device, receive a payment authorization or a verification of payment for the wireless service in the requested amount from the connected device, and receive a request from the connected device for allocating the wireless service.

Abstract: Aspects identify an item that is offered for sale at a retailer location in association with a sales promotion, in response to determining that a mobile device of a user is within a threshold location proximity to the retailer location. Embodiments determine an in-game virtual reward value for awarding to the user within a virtual game that is executing on the mobile device as a function of gaming profile data of the user; and present an offer to the user within the virtual game to award the determined in-game virtual reward value to the user in consideration for an engagement by the user with the identified item that meets a term of the sales promotion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling collaboration for planning changes to a communications network are provided. A method, according to one implementation, includes receiving a first branch of a provisional plan, where the first branch includes information regarding a change to at least one of a network element and services to be provided by the network element. The method also includes receiving a second branch of the provisional plan, where the second branch includes information regarding a change to at least one of the network element and the services to be provided by the network element. The method also includes determining if the first branch and the second branch are compatible with each other. In response to determining that merging the second branch with the first branch would create a conflict, the method further includes providing a resolution to the conflict.

Abstract: A central routing function (CRF) platform. The CRF platform comprises a processor, a memory that stores prioritized call route lists, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor the application receives a request for a prioritized call route list from a network element, where the request comprises an indication of a location of a call originator of a call and a destination telephone number, determines a call type of the call, selects a prioritized call route list associated with the destination telephone number from the non-transitory memory based on the call type, determines that a percent allocation rule applies to the call, based on the percent allocation rule, removes the first priority call route from the selected prioritized call route list to make an adapted prioritized call route list, and sends the adapted prioritized call route list to the network element.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques, devices, and systems for monitoring failures associated with emergency calls. An IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) node can receive a session initiation protocol (SIP) request associated with a communication session associated with an emergency call for a user equipment (UE). The IMS node can transmit a first SIP notification to a location retrieval function (LRF). The IMS node can receive status information and set a call state associated with routing of the emergency call. The IMS node can transmit a second SIP notification based on the call state, the second SIP notification including information associated with a failure of processing of the emergency call.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for message handling in a terminal device. A method is performed by the terminal device. The method comprises receiving a message comprising user content from a network controller. The method comprises providing a notification of the message to a user interface of the terminal device. The method comprises receiving feedback from the user interface. The feedback indicates which amount of the user content that has been played out at the user interface. The method comprises performing an action on the message according to the amount of the user content that has been played out.

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.

Abstract: A system for validating communications sessions among clients utilizes a ledger administration server to validate requests for communications sessions using smart contracts and recorded on a distributed ledger, with at least one session validation server capable of validating requested communications sessions communicating with said ledger administration server via messages, said communications sessions being validated and initiated in near real-time.

Abstract: An example communications system for providing communication services between communications devices may employ multiple usage rates for metered communication services. A method for adjusting usage amounts to account for multiple usage rates may include determining a usage adjustment factor for a communications event; determining a metered usage amount for the communications event; and determining an adjusted usage amount based on the usage adjustment factor and the metered usage amount for the communications amount. Thus, a billing system in the communications system may determine an invoice amount based on the adjusted usage amount and a predetermined bill rate.

Abstract: A mobile device, via a roaming platform, can switch IMSIs (e.g., Home IMSI-1, Roamer IMSI-2, etc.) depending on a location of the mobile device. Upon switching IMSIs, the roaming platform can forward the update location to an HLR of the home network and roaming network. If the MMSC on the home network receives an MMS message, the MMSC on the home network may query the HLR for a current location. From the query, if the message recipient is roaming, the MMSC on the home network may communicate with the MMSC on the roaming network to deliver the message. As a result, the roaming network can handle the routing of the message without a data session routed back through the home network.

Abstract: A method for access network session correlation for policy control includes detecting a remote authentication dial in user service (RADIUS) access session for a user device, including binding the RADIUS access session to a policy node. The method includes detecting a Diameter session for the user device. The method further includes correlating the RADIUS access session with the Diameter session, including binding the Diameter session to the policy node.

Abstract: Technology for a network element configured to apply Application Specific Congestion Control for Data Communication (ACDC) in a wireless network is disclosed. The network element can determine to apply ACDC in the wireless network to mitigate overload of the wireless network. The network element can process barring information for one or more ACDC categories for transmission to a user equipment (UE) when ACDC is applied in the wireless network. The barring information can indicate that the UE is prevented from accessing the network for applications associated with the one or more ACDC categories when ACDC is applied in the wireless network.

Abstract: Techniques are described for automatically distributing validated user safety alerts from a networked computing device. The networked computing device may be configured to operate as an autonomous agent to perform actions on behalf of a user without receiving direct instructions from the user. For example, the autonomous agent computing device may be configured to make certain purchases, send alerts or reminders, or perform other functions in accordance with preprogrammed rules. According to the disclosed techniques, the autonomous agent computing device is configured to automatically generate and send an alert to one or more computing devices associated with the user upon detecting a safety concern for the user. The autonomous agent also uses a signing key associated with its digital certificate, which verifies the identity of the autonomous agent, to sign the alert such that a third-party server may validate the alert prior to distribution to the destination computing devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer readable media for tracking a person of interest. The method embodiment comprises identifying a person of interest, capturing a voiceprint of the person of interest, comparing a received voiceprint of a caller with the voiceprint of the person of interest, and tracking the caller if the voiceprint of the caller is a substantial match to the voiceprint of the person of interest.

Abstract: A method of routing data that is part of a grid job including steps of: receiving a data packet at a routing device; determining whether the data packet is identified as part of a grid job; and routing the data packet that is identified as part of a grid job through the Internet to an external node.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method performed by a policy control server of a communication network to facilitate provisioning of service-related products in the communication network. The method comprises receiving, from a node of the communication network, a policy settings request message, requesting charging policy settings for service-related products of a subscriber of the communication network, the message comprising a subscriber identity, obtaining, based on the received subscriber identity, information of a number of first service-related products that are provision-capable for the subscriber, and selecting, based on the information of the obtained number of first products, a number of second service-related products that are tentative for the subscriber. The method further comprises obtaining, in response to the selection, policy settings for the number of second products, and sending, to the communication network node, the obtained policy settings for the number of second products.

Abstract: The present invention determines whether the data traffic of the application is for private use or for business use and charges data communication charge to the appropriate user based on the traffic usage. The data communication terminal 100 runs an application, executes data communication to transmit tag information and the data traffic of the data communication to the charge management server 10 in response to the execution of the data communication. The charge management server 10 calculates the data communication charge corresponding to the data traffic received from the data communication terminal, and determines whether the data traffic is for private use or for business use based on the tag information received from the data communication terminal to calculate the data communication charge for each usage.

Abstract: A contact center dialing a telephone number to a party, such as a debtor, may discover that the number is a VoIP number and subject to a prohibition of being autodialed. In other embodiments, a number that was subject to the prohibition of being autodialed is now discovered to no longer be subject to such prohibition. Various mechanisms defined indicate how such a prohibition associated with the number may be indicated in a dialing list and how various contact center architectures may be used to process the dialing list. In one embodiment, separate sub-systems are used to dial separate dialing lists based on whether the number is to be manually dialed or dialed using an autodialer. In another embodiment, another architecture is used to process an integrated dialing list to determine whether a number, such as a VoIP number, is to be manually dialed or autodialed.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, system and computer program product for server failure handling A mechanism for a first apparatus is described. The mechanism comprising receiving, from a first apparatus, a first authentication request comprising an user identity and an identity of said first apparatus, wherein said first apparatus being capable for provide authentication related service with respect to said user identity; determining if a third apparatus, originally associated with said user identity for providing authentication related service, is available for providing said service; registering said first apparatus as the server associated with said user identity for providing authentication related service, if said third apparatus is not available; sending a response to said first apparatus to acknowledge the first authentication request.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating fee-based group membership is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving, from at least one designated organizer for at least one group of a plurality of groups, data representing a monetary value of a membership fee; receiving, from a first plurality of user terminals associated with a first plurality of users, a first plurality of requests to join the at least one group; registering the first plurality of users with the at least one group; receiving, from a second plurality of user terminals associated with a second plurality of users, a second plurality of requests to join the at least one group; transmitting, to the second plurality of user terminals, data configured to display payment options; and registering at least a portion of the second plurality of users with the at least one group upon payment of the fee.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing customer communications over communication channels are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for managing customer communications over a plurality of communication channels may include (1) at least one of a plurality of computer processors determining contact information for the customer; (2) at least one of the plurality of computer processors determining that the contact information comprises a cellular phone number; (4) at least one of the plurality of computer processors determining that the customer has consented to being contacted on the cellular phone number; and (5) at least one of a plurality of computer processors automatically initiating contact with the customer using the communication channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, by a diameter routing unit (110), to route diameter commands of a data packet session using a diameter protocol in a mobile communications network, the diameter routing unit comprising a storage unit (111) storing information which policy and charging control unit is handling which data packet session and storing information about a presence of at least one additional diameter routing unit (100) which routes diameter commands of the diameter protocol to the same pool of policy and charging control units (31, 32) as the diameter routing unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a central device receives a routing strategy instruction that specifies a predictability threshold for communication delays in the network. The device estimates communication delays for a plurality of paths in the network and determines predictability measurements for the estimated delays. The device also selects, from among the plurality of paths, a particular path that has a predictability measurement that satisfies the predictability threshold and has a minimal estimated delay. The central device further installs the particular path at one or more other devices in the network.

Abstract: For location-based communication with mobile devices, a condition is received at a device associated with a caller. The condition has to be satisfied by a callee at a future time and at a location, the location being a place where different callees with different mobile devices are present at different times. An instruction is received at the device for making a telecommunication call to the location where the callee is present with a mobile device and satisfies the condition at the future time. A set of potential callees is identified. Each mobile device associated with each callee in set of potential callees is present at the location at the future time, and each potential callee in the set of potential callees satisfies the condition. The telecommunication call is initiated to mobile devices associated with a subset of potential callees, the subset of potential callees including the callee.

Abstract: A system and method for setting a billing allocation between a user and a company allowing the costs for personal and work use of a mobile device during a period to be allocated as desired. The system and method further provides for allocation of costs associated with obtaining a new mobile device. The billing allocation model provides maximum flexibility to allow a user to obtain the mobile device desired, while still allowing the user to take advantage of a company's preferred corporate rates and discounts and allowing a company to maintain control of mobile device costs relating to purchase and use of the mobile device.

Abstract: Services are provided based on the locations, rather than the NPA.NXX identifiers, of called and calling parties. Party location based services can be provided to the called party, to the calling party, or both. Services can include an indication of the location of each party. Services also can include an indication of charges as determined by the location of the parties, rather than the NPA.NXX identifiers. Services can be provided if the parties are using a mobile communications devices, such as a cellular phone, wireline systems (e.g., landline phones), or a combination thereof. In an example configuration, location can be provided in a hierarchy of various levels of accuracy/precision. Different levels can be representative of different resolutions of geography. An example system for facilitating party location based services includes a signaling system number 7 (SS7) network.

Abstract: A server device may receive a first request for temporary access to a wireless network, the first request being associated with a first device, wherein the temporary access is based on a subscription for access to the wireless network, the subscription being associated with a second device; grant the first request for temporary access to the wireless network; subsequently determine that the temporary access to the wireless network has expired; receive, after the temporary access has expired, a second request for temporary access to the wireless network, the second request being associated with the first device; and reject the second request for temporary access to the wireless network, the rejecting being based on determining that temporary access has previously been granted to the first device.

Abstract: A charging method, an authentication method, a charging device, and an authentication device. The charging method includes: receiving a service unit request sent by an access device, calculating a granted service unit according to a current tariff, determining a reporting time point according to a tariff switch point and returning a service unit answer to the access device; and receiving a used service unit reported by the access device at the reporting time point, calculating a remaining service unit based on the granted service unit and the used service unit instructing the access device to perform a forcible offline operation. The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention may effectively reduce an occurrence probability of a user account overdraft, thereby reducing a loss caused by the user account overdraft to an operator.

Abstract: Apparatus for use within an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, network to handle Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, messages. The apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving a SIP message from a peer IMS node, and a SIP message inspector for inspecting a P-Charging-Vector, PCV, header within a received SIP message in order to detect the presence within the PCV header of a parameter and associated handling determinator. The apparatus further comprises a SIP message handler for determining, on the basis of a handling determinator and without reference to said associated parameter, an action or actions to be applied to said parameter and associated handling determinator.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for supporting multiple time zones in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The method comprises: a Proxy Call Session Control Function (PCSCF) network element sends a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message including time zone information to a control layer network element exclusive of the PCSCF network element (201); after obtaining the time zone information, the control layer network element receiving the SIP message sends an SIP message including the time zone information to a service layer network element (202); and the service layer network element receives the SIP message sent from the control layer network element and obtains the time zone information included in the SIP message (203). The disclosure also provides a system for supporting multiple time zones, a charging method and a charging system in an IMS.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for charging, related to the technical field of communications, are invented in an attempt to enhance charging accuracy of a charging system. A method for charging comprises: acquiring an IMEI number of a target charging terminal; determining a type of the target charging terminal by utilizing the IMEI number of the target charging terminal, according to a corresponding relationship between relevant information of a terminal identifier and a terminal type; and charging the target charging terminal according to the type of the target charging terminal.

Abstract: A system for selecting communication routes based on multiple criteria is disclosed. The system can dynamically update route ranking criteria without loading new data tables. Further, the system can be implemented in the context of a route ranking system that provides a list of routes for processing or completing a call. The list of routes can be generated in a ranked order to facilitate attempts to route the call based on the predefined routing criteria. Further, the route ranking system can determine the list of routes based on one or more criteria including, for example, margins, call type, and vendor ratings, to name a few. Advantageously, modifications can be made to values associated with the routing criteria without requiring the loading of new tables associated with the routing criteria. These modifications can be associated with an expiration condition thereby enabling increased flexibility in determining the list of routes.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for congestion management in a Diameter signaling network. The method occurs a Diameter routing node. The method includes determining, using a metric associated with Diameter message processing, that a first Diameter message processing metric threshold has been exceeded. The method also includes in response to determining that the first Diameter message processing metric threshold has been exceeded, performing a first congestion mitigation action, where performing the first congestion mitigation action includes analyzing subsequent Diameter messages to determine one or more common attributes of the subsequent Diameter messages and in response to determining the one or more common attributes of the subsequent Diameter messages, performing a second congestion mitigation action for Diameter messages having the one or more common attributes.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: determining a session to roll over; determining whether usage monitoring at a usage monitoring node is currently disabled for the session; and if usage monitoring at the usage monitoring node is currently disabled for the session, sending a message from the session management node to the usage monitoring node, wherein the message includes an instruction to enable usage monitoring for the session. Various alternative embodiments additionally include one or more of the following: waiting for a length of time to receive a usage report at the session management node from the usage monitoring node; wherein the step of sending a message from the session management node to the usage monitoring node is only performed when a usage report is not received during the length of time.

Abstract: A contact center dialing a telephone number to a destination party, such as a debtor, may discover that the number is obsolete, e.g., the number has been reassigned to a new subscriber. A purportedly current number (called a ‘skip-trace’ number) may be obtained for the debtor, which may be a wireless number. Until the wireless skip-trace number has been confirmed as being associated with the debtor, an agent manually dials that number to minimize liability to the contact center. Once the agent has verbally confirmed the skip-trace number is associated with the debtor, a record for this number in a dialing list is updated allowing future dialing attempts to occur automatically, by using a predictive dialer. In one embodiment, a dialing list module processes the dialing list so as to detect when a number is obsolete and update the corresponding record when the number is confirmed.

Abstract: A system for determining a communication charge comprising a charging equation determiner, an inflection point determiner, and a charge determiner. The charging equation determiner for determining a charging equation based at least in part on a normalized set of inputs. The inflection point determiner for determining an inflection point based at least in part on a charging structure database. The charge determiner for determining a communication charge based at least in part on the charging equation and the inflection point.

Abstract: A computing network, including: a plurality of peer computing devices including code, which when executed by a peer computing device causes the executing peer computing device to cooperate with at least one other of the peer computing devices; at least one server including code, which when executed by the at least one server locates at least one of the peer computing devices; and at least one mediator including code, which when executed by the at least on mediator collects charging information from at least some of the peer computing devices; wherein, the peer computing devices, at least one sever and at least one mediator are communicatively coupled via an at least carrier-grade telecommunications network being suitable for enhancing cooperation among the cooperating ones of the peer computing devices relative to best-efforts communications among the cooperating ones of the peer computing devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling VoIP service providers to dynamically adjust international calling rates as a function of adjustments made with partner carrier arrangements that VoIP service providers put in place are disclosed. Thus VoIP service providers can pass on savings, if the new calling rate is lower than the old calling rate, to their subscribers in order to enhance the loyalty of existing subscribers. Instead of having subscribers to call into customer service centers to take advantage of these new lower international calling rates, the new calling rates will be updated dynamically and immediately for subscribers without these subscribers having to call in to request their billing rates to match the new calling rates.

Abstract: A method includes retrieving a first data set from a switch within a network, the first data set including a set of switch records. Among the switch records included in the first data set is a first switch record associated with and including a field identifying a first trunk group from a set of trunk groups included within the switch. A second data set is retrieved from a configuration management system configured to facilitate an operation associated with the network. The second data set includes a plurality of configuration records, which includes a first configuration record associated with and including a field identifying the first trunk group. When the field included in the first configuration record differs from the field included in the first switch record a report is produced.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a telecommunication system includes a call routing circuit configured to receive and route calls and data transmissions from a plurality of telecommunication devices. The telecommunication system also includes a processing circuit for monitoring business and personal use of telecommunication devices associated with a client account. The processing circuit is configured to maintain a log of calls and data transmissions routed by the call-routing circuit for a the plurality of telecommunication devices. The processing circuit is further configured to use a set of classification functions in a policy of the client account to determine whether each of the identified first set of calls and data transmissions are business related or personal based on characteristics of each of the first set of calls and data transmissions.

Abstract: Real-time customer feedback of call information is determined by a carrier network. Databases are used to map individual phone numbers to the carrier currently servicing that number and to lookup the carrier information for the other party during each call. This information may be displayed on the customer's handset device. Furthermore, this called party network carrier information could be used in conjunction with information about the calling party's rate plan to display the actual cost status of the call on the customer's handset.

Abstract: A communication administration system includes: a administration system, for managing basis information of at least one user; and a service system, for fetching basic information and current location information of a called party from the administration system in response to a communication request from a calling party, obtaining current location information and preference information of the called party from the called party, and generating a communication mechanism scenario according to a communication mechanism system for the calling party to make a selection and to make a call accordingly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to provide communication connections for partners based on communication references assigned to entities maintained by the partners. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving from a partner contact information of an entity; providing the partner with a real-time communication reference usable to at least initiate a request for a communication connection; and in response to receiving a request initiated via the real-time communication reference, providing a real-time communication connection between a requester and the entity using the contact information received from the partner.

Abstract: An apparatus including a server computer processor, a server computer memory, a computer display, and a user computer interactive device. The server computer processor may be programmed to receive a first plurality of user inputs from the user computer interactive device; select a subset of a set of telecommunications service plans based on the first plurality of user inputs; and display on a computer display information concerning the subset of the set of telecommunications service plans. The server computer processor may be further programmed by the computer program stored in the server computer memory to receive a second plurality of user inputs which modify one or more characteristics of the subset of the set of telecommunications service plans to form a modified subset of telecommunications service plans.

Abstract: IMS networks, subscriber databases, and methods are disclosed for providing AoC services in IMS networks. The subscriber database is provisioned with AoC indicators for IMS users that subscribe to AoC services. An S-CSCF in an IMS network receives a first register message from an IMS user, and transmits a second register message to the subscriber database. In response to the second register message, the subscriber database identifies an AoC indicator for the IMS user that is registering, inserts the AoC indicator in a third register message, and transmits the third register message to the S-CSCF. The S-CSCF then stores the AoC indicator for the IMS user. If a signaling message is received for a session involving the IMS user, then the S-CSCF will forward the AoC indicator for the IMS user to an AoC application server, which collects the appropriate AoC information and provides the information to the IMS user.