Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a bill image in a computer implemented billing system for a telecommunications network which includes providing a plurality of discounts for a customer retroactively applied to calls made during a billing period in which the discounts apply. The method includes loading qualification criteria for the plurality of discounts and customer account details into the billing system, generating a data structure defining a time line over at least part of which the discounts are operative, the time line being divided in dependence on the qualification criteria and customer account details into a number of segments each of which corresponds to a period during which a respective version of the discounts were operative, accumulating charges for the calls made during each segment, and calculating the appropriate discounts from the accumulated charges for each segment for calls which qualify for the discounts.

Abstract: A method of operating a telecommunications device wherein the telecommunications device is used to detect an outgoing call from a calling party to a called number. The calling number is used to determine whether or not the calling party is a universal service user. If it is determined that the called number is among a class of numbers exempt from charges, the call is connected. A determination on the sufficiency of funds in a pre-paid account is made. If it is determined that there are insufficient funds in a pre-paid account to cover charges associated with the outgoing call, a message is generated and sent to the calling party or a third party requesting authorization to charge an additional fee for connecting the calling party with the called party and providing related information or application services. User input is received from the calling party, indicating the calling party's authorization of such charge. The connection between the calling party and the called party is made.

Abstract: A special call fee charging method is disclosed, that comprises the steps of (a) causing an exchange device to receive a call origination signal from a call origination subscriber terminal unit; (b) causing the exchange device to inquire of a special charging server whether or not the call origination subscriber terminal unit is a specially charged subscriber terminal unit; (c) causing the special charging server to reply to the exchange device whether or not the call origination subscriber terminal unit is a specially charged subscriber terminal unit; and (d) if the call origination terminal unit is a specially charged call terminal unit as the result at step (c), causing the exchange device to notify a general charging server that the call origination subscriber terminal unit is charged a special call fee.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for allocating charges that accrue to download content to a mobile station from a data source, either a third-party data source or a system-operator data source. An SMS message is generated at an SMS center that includes an identification of the type of data source that is to originate the data. A detector at the mobile station detects the SMS message and the identification of the type of data source at which the content is to be originated. A table is accessed, and a calling number associated with the data source is retrieved therefrom. A terminal management session is thereafter formed utilizing the retrieved calling number. The calling number forms either a toll number or a toll-free number and is determinative of to where charges shall be allocated to download the content.

Abstract: A method of completing a call is disclosed. A call is received in a communications network from a first communication device subscribed to a communications carrier for a called party using a second communication device. A determination is made as to whether the first communication device subscribes to a Same Subscriber Service (SSS). If the first communication device does subscribe to SSS, a second determination is made as to whether the second communication device subscribes to the same communications carrier as the first communication device. If the second communication device subscribes to the same communications carrier as the first communication device, an announcement is provided to the first communication device. Special call treatment is applied to the call, and the call is routed to the second communication device.

Abstract: A billing method and system include discounting a customer's billing for telephone calls completed in a wide area centrex/PBX network, which includes an abbreviated dialing plan. A service control point (SCP) determines a call type code based upon a calling station and a called station of a telephone call. The SCP determines whether the call type code is eligible for discounted billing. When the call type code is eligible, the SCP generates a unique billing record that is forwarded to a service switching point (SSP). The SSP receives the forwarded unique billing record and modifies the billing record to indicate that a discount should be applied to the billing for the call when the call is completed. When the SSP does not receive the unique billing record, it creates a normal billing record.

Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.

Abstract: A total aggregation plan (TAP) provides a plurality of data services to a Network Service Provider (NSP). The present invention encourages the NSP to use more than one type of telecommunications service to connect to its end-users (subscribers) by requiring that the NSP choose a specified number of data services that are available from the telephone company under the plan. The NSP is then required to sustain an annualized billing of greater than a specified amount and maintain at least a specified percentage of billing allocations to each one of the data services chosen. If the NSP does comply in this manner, then a billing credit is provided to the NSP based on the billing history.

Abstract: A recording medium storing a program for connecting a caller terminal and a recipient terminal that make a call by using a network in which an IP address of a user is assigned when the user connects with the network is provided. The program includes an IP address acquiring module 300 for acquiring an IP address of the caller terminal from a provider in a case where a user of the caller terminal input a call request and an e-mail sending module 304 for creating an e-mail containing information indicating the IP address of the caller terminal and an indication button for instructing a request of the call from the recipient terminal to the caller terminal so as to send the e-mail to the recipient terminal.

Abstract: A telecommunication call service is provided that directs incoming and/or outgoing cellular call charges to be billed to another payment party when placed to a telephone number specified by the payment party. The payment party has pre-established a list of telephone numbers with call direction authorized to be placed with the wireless number and identifies payment means in a payment account to be directly debited by the financed payment manager application for the authorized wireless calls. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an originating telephone switch detecting a specific prepaid wireless subscriber/other party telephone number pair directs the call to an Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP) for call handling under the financed payment service feature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system's software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a multiple line long distance discount feature is disclosed. Call detail records for calls on a per call basis both in the wireline local and long distance setting and any wireless setting are assembled at a telecommunications service provider billing system for preparation of periodic billing to a subscriber. A discount feature engine reviews a periodic billing record for a billing telephone number and calculates the long distance charges for each telephone line associated with the billing telephone number. The line with the highest long distance charges is removed from consideration. The long distance charges for one or more of the remaining telephone lines is reduced by a predetermined amount. The reduced long distance charges are saved in a new periodic billing record associated with the billing telephone number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for compensating a recipient for participating in a marketing communication. The recipient may be compensated by means of a credit applied to his or her existing bill from the corresponding service provider, or by means of a credit applied to a third party account, such as a credit card account of the recipient or a charity that has been designated by the called party to receive such credits. The recipient is notified that he or she may be compensated for a given telemarketing call or another marketing promotion by means of a distinctive telephone ring or a similar distinctive feature. A service provider can also offer a service to its subscribers that employs the distinctive ringing feature described herein to indicate to the customer that a given telephone call is coming from a telemarketer.

Abstract: A local communication space (e.g., a local calling area) is defined based at least on a non-geographic factor, such as subscriber preference, a frequency of communication with a given destination, a destination type, and/or the like. The local communication space may be defined by compiling a list of communication spaces and allowing a subscriber to select one or more of the communication spaces as his or her local communication space, and/or by allowing a subscriber to individually input one or more communication destinations. A limit may be placed on the number of communication spaces that may be selected and/or on the number of individual communications destinations that may be input. Subscribers may be billed according to how many communication spaces and/or how many individual communication destinations they select.

Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of affecting inmate behavior within a correctional facility through providing discount telephone calling rates to inmates who qualify for the discounted rates based on predetermined criteria, such as inmate good behavior. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of providing an identification for each inmate, establishing qualifying criteria for a discount telephone rate, and reducing the telephone call charge rate for inmates that meet the qualifying criteria.

Abstract: Described is a system and method that integrates a user's browsing experience with the placement of telephone calls, and to generating a revenue stream for third party service providers that direct the calls to selected telephone carriers. An autodialer runs on a computing device and routes user's calls to selected carrier's networks based on optional embodiments for carrier selection. The telephone carrier can be pre-selected by an autodialer or be user selected from an ordered list. Predetermined selections may be based on the carrier bidding the least cost, or optionally, the carrier bidding the highest reward. The rank ordering of telephone carriers can be based on a figure of merit. The telephone carriers can be rank ordered based on the carrier most often selected by the users; or optionally based on the highest reward offered to the third party service provider by the carrier.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically determines which communication service plan is the most cost effective for a communication device. The system operates by receiving usage statistics for the communication device, as well as a set of available service plans for the communication device. The system uses the usage statistics to calculate charges for the available service plans in order to determine the most cost-effective service plan, and then communicates results of the determination to an interested party. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system charges the interested party a fee for providing the results of the determination. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system additionally receives a request to switch a current service plan to an alternate service plan, and then switches the current service plan to the alternate service plan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing prepaid telecommunication services. More particularly, prepaid telephone calls can be made by users without entering any access code, if such calls are made from telephone numbers previously registered in the telecommunication system in connection with valid access codes. Prepaid telephone calls can also be made from non-registered telephone numbers after providing the telecommunication system with a valid access code.

Abstract: Transmitting by a public service provider an audio message to the calling party instead normal ring back tones when a call is placed by a calling party to a called party. This audio message is an advertisement that is paid for by a third party. If the calling party wishes more information concerning the advertisement, the calling party indicates this desire either by a spoken command or by accuation of a multi-frequency key on the telephone hand set during the message. If the calling party has indicated a desire to obtain more information with respect to the advertisement, when the call to the called party is completed, the public service provider will automatically connect the calling party to a system that will provide additional information concerning the advertisement. A data terminal placing a data call will receive advertisements in a similar manner.

Abstract: A method in which two terminals operated on a data transmission network store at least one electronic credit. With the aid of the credits, charge metering is performed. The electronic credits are transmitted with credit messages to control units, which check the validity of the credits and, depending on the result of the check, clear network resources.

Abstract: A method of operating a telecommunications device wherein the telecommunications device is used to detect an outgoing call from a calling party to a called number. The calling number is used to determine whether or not the calling party is a universal service user. If it is determined that the called number is among a class of numbers exempt from charges, the call is connected. A determination on the sufficiency of funds in a pre-paid account is made. If it is determined that there are insufficient funds in a pre-paid account to cover charges associated with the outgoing call, a message is generated and sent to the calling party or a third party requesting authorization to charge an additional fee for connecting the calling party with the called party. User input is received from the calling party, indicating the calling party's authorization of such charge. The connection between the calling party and the called party is made.

Abstract: In general, a system and method for analyzing wireless communication data for determining an optimal wireless communication service plan is disclosed. A transceiver is configured to receive billing information associated with a subscriber of a telecommunications service under a current rate plan. A storage unit stores the billing information. A processor processes the subscriber related billing information to produce organized data in a calling profile record for each telecommunication service being used by the subscriber. The processor then creates a usage history table and a call detail table within the storage unit from the processed billing information. The processed data is then analyzed by the processor in relation to at least one rate plans of at least one telecommunication service provider. The processor then determines at least one proposed rate plan that would save the subscriber telecommunication costs relative to the current rate plan, via use of the usage history table and the call detail table.

Abstract: A method of operating a telecommunications device wherein the telecommunications device is used to detect an outgoing call from a calling party to a called number. The calling number is used to determine whether or not the calling party is a universal service user. If it is determined that the called number is among a class of numbers exempt from charges, the call is connected. A determination on the sufficiency of funds in a pre-paid account is made. If it is determined that there are insufficient funds in a pre-paid account to cover charges associated with the outgoing call, a message is generated and sent to the calling party or a third party requesting authorization to charge an additional fee for connecting the calling party with the called party and providing related information or application services. User input is received from the calling party, indicating the calling party's authorization of such charge. The connection between the calling party and the called party is made.

Abstract: A system and method for flexibly routing communications transmissions in an efficient manner is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, service providers submit information to a centralized server node which comprises cost and service parameter data for routing a communication from a first location to a second location. The server node receives all of the submitted rate information, evaluates it, and generates from the information a rate-table database comprising efficient routing paths for connecting transmissions between any two locations in a communications switching network. The server may be programmed to substantially optimize its rate-table database with respect to one or more parameters, such as price, network utilization, return traffic volumes, and others. Service requesters submit service requests to the centralized server node.

Abstract: A telecommunication system and method for communicating between at least two end users over a telecommunication network, where the communication is defined by a set of parameters. At least two entities, such as one or both of the end users and/or the service providers negotiate an agreed set of values for said parameters that define the desired communication. The entities also negotiate a warranty agreement with the network service provider defining at least one of the agreed parameters to be warranted including a compensation method to be applied should said at least one monitored parameter fail to meet the corresponding one of said agreed values. The agreed warranted parameters are monitored once the communication is established and, in the event of a failure of the monitored parameters to meet agreed values, at least one of the entities is compensated in accordance with the agreed compensation method.

Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.

Abstract: Subscribers in a mobile communications system are provided with a bundle of call time each billing period, against which standard call types are rated. If, at the end of one billing period, a portion of the bundle for that billing period remains, the rating system associates the remaining portion with a bundle provided for the forthcoming billing period. In one embodiment, rating is interrupted whilst any remaining portions of the previous bundles are added to the newly-created bundles for the next period. In other embodiments, the rating system refers both to the current bundle and to a previous bundle when rating standard call types.

Abstract: A system and a method for distinguishing a telephone number to distinguish telephone systems or network systems of various telephone companies. A telephone number is dialed. The telephone system or the network system of this telephone number is distinguished and selected. The telephone number distinguishing system has a plurality of receivers, a telephone dial processor, a plurality of selected switches and a communication connector device.

Abstract: A total aggregation plan (TAP) which connects an end-subscriber to an Customer or a Customer. The present invention encourages Customers to use more than one type of telecommunications service to connect to its end-user (subscriber) by requiring that the Customer choose a specified number of data services that are available from the telephone company under the plan. The Customer is then required to sustain an annualized billing of greater than a specified amount and maintain at least a specified percentage of billing allocations to each one of the data services chosen. If the Customer does comply in this manner, then a billing credit is provided to the Customer based on the billing history.

Abstract: Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) access is provided for a communications services platform. A caller may dial a local DDD number or a long distance DDD number to access the communications services platform. A platform may provide a plurality of different communications services, including voicemail services, paging services, automatic routing services, and facsimile messaging services. Expenses associated with servicing the call are partitioned between a caller and a subscriber of the communications services platform in an intuitive and reasonable fashion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining whether a party initiating a telephone call is on a list of parties authorized by the called party. If the calling party is not on the list of authorized parties, a fee is charged to the calling party. All or a portion of this fee may be paid to the called party or may be applied to the called party's telephone service billing account to reduce the called party's telephone bill. Preferably, the present invention is implemented at the called party's central office, i.e., at the central office which services the called party. In accordance with common-channel signaling, commonly referred to as signaling system 7 (SS7), the calling party's telephone number and identity are received in the call signaling data transmitted to the central office which services the called party.

Abstract: A system for determining an individual phone rate for a user from an originating device to a destination device comprises a user calling pattern information module, a destination gateway provider module, a margin multiplier calculator module, and an individual rate calculator module. The user calling pattern information module stores information about the user such as the destinations the user calls or desires to call frequently and the percentage of time the user calls or plans to call the frequently called destinations. Such information may be inputted directly from the user or may be determined from the user's historical billing records. The destination gateway provider information module stores information relating to the cost and profit margin of the provider servicing the connection to the destination device.

Abstract: System and method for providing advertisements to a telephony device. The advertisements are presented by an advertisement server which stores the advertisements, manages their presentation through the device, and provides for reduction or elimination of charges for telecommunication services delivered through the device. The advertisements may be presented to the user upon activation of the device and may include a recorded message promoting products, stores, sales, or public services, after which the user places the telephone call at reduced or no charge. Alternately, when the user initiates a telephone connection to place a call, a charge option message is presented providing the user with an option to listen to an advertisement before placing the call. If the user declines the option, the call is placed at normal cost, otherwise, an advertisement is presented to the user, after which the user places the call at a reduced or no cost.

Abstract: A slot card issued by a slot club, or a membership card in another incentive award program, that is also capable of being used as phone calling card is provided. Free calling time is credited to the member's card account in response to the playing of the slot machine or utilizing the respective service. After incentive points are awarded, the member may use the membership card as a prepaid phone calling card, whereby the member's account is debited for the cost of the call.

Abstract: A system and method for flexibly routing telecommunications in an efficient manner using resources that are traded in a market are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, service providers and requesters submit service offers and requests to a server node. Offers and requests may be submitted automatically by a telecommunications node programmed to dynamically monitor current volume and sell or buy telecommunication time or bandwidth on the basis of the actual and predicted demand. The server node administers all aspects of the trades and the resulting changes in global network operations, hilling, and settlements. When a buyer wishes to use telecommunications resources it has purchased, it may pass supervision to a local telecommunications node, which may establish transmission using the purchased telecommunications resources.

Abstract: A method and devices for calculating a billing total for a teleconference between a plurality of participants is disclosed. Advantageously, the teleconference may be a telephone conference call. Each of the participants is associated with an identifier of that participant's origin, such as a portion of the participant's telephone caller identification information. At least one particular identifier is used to signify that charges for a caller's participation should be attributed at a lower rate to the total. For participants associated with an identifier other than a reduced rate identifier charges are attributed to the total at a rate greater than this lower rate. A conference call service provider may use the method and system to charge reduced rates for certain participants, allowing the service provider to compete with locally located teleconference systems, for which participants would not incur long distance toll charges.

Abstract: Because of technological and regulatory changes, telecommunication service is becoming more of a commodity, with competition between service providers for traffic. The herein disclosed invention stimulates this competition and facilitates a service provider's and a consumer's ability to make economic choices between competing telecommunication carriers. In this method and system, telecommunication switches route calls in accordance with economic incentives (e.g., least cost routing) resulting from a bidding process between participating telecommunication carriers (Carriers), administered by a bidding service provider through operation of a central processor, a computer referred to as a bidding moderator (Moderator). Some of these switches may be provisioned to treat every call attempt presented to them as a call attempt to be routed to the low-bidding Carrier.

Abstract: A method provides a wireless subscriber with the capability of selectively changing the assignment of the party that pays for a call for which the wireless subscriber is terminating terminal. The subscriber can register with a switching center and select an option that places the payment responsibility on a calling party. Then when a calling party initiates a call to the wireless subscriber the switching center forwards a notice to the calling party that the responsibility for paying for the call rests with the calling party. The wireless subscriber can at any subsequent time elect to accept the responsibility for calls to the subscriber.

Abstract: A computer network architecture and software that accesses multiple telephone billing systems across multiple telephone service regions, provides a telecommunications service provider with a consolidated view of a customer's telephone usage, and provides means for creating, automatically implementing, and monitoring billing plans based on customer billing relationships illustrated in the consolidated view. The present invention pulls information from different billing systems and presents the telecommunications service provider with a consolidated account view that summarizes a customer's total worth to the service provider, rather than listing a series of unrelated accounts for the same customer. With the individualized consolidated views, a telecommunications service provider can formulate and implement flexible terms and conditions for each customer.

Abstract: The programmable device connects an initiating telecommunications device with a destination telecommunications device through one of a plurality of telecommunications carriers based upon information stored in a database in the programmable apparatus. The programmable apparatus includes input and output devices, a processor, a memory and various databases. The system accesses and obtains information from the database and establishes a telecommunications link between the initiating telecommunications device and the destination telecommunications devices via one of a preferred low cost call carrier or a least expensive low cost call carrier. The database includes access telephone numbers, clearance code data (i.e., PIN numbers), cost of call rate data for specific destinations, specific days of the week, date and time of day for a plurality of telecommunications carriers.

Abstract: A method relating to telecommunications in which the telephone of a first subscriber is connected to the telephone of a second subscriber via a standard telephone network and the call is billed to a third subscriber. The first subscriber first dials a subscriber number, preferably preceded by a prefix, which leads to the third subscriber and then dials a subscriber number that leads to the second subscriber. The telephone network connects the call to a telephone-network-connected computer unit that forwards the call to the second subscriber to connect the first subscriber with the second subscriber. The call between the first subscriber and the second subscriber is billed to the third subscriber, and advertisements are transmitted on the call connected between the first and second subscribers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus provide a frequency discount for host payable calls provided by a communication network. Call information, including the customer's telephone number and the dialed telephone number, is processed to determine whether a particular call is eligible for the frequency discount. A host profile is retrieved from a memory based on the dialed telephone number from which the eligibility conditions of the discount are obtained. Customer records are retrieved from the same or different memory based on the customer telephone number. If the customer's history meets the conditions outlined by the host profile, the discount is awarded.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for creating a billing record with a called party's name. Providing the called party's name on the billing record facilitates the calling party's review of the billing record by reducing the amount of time and effort needed to determine the identity of the called parties. In addition to identifying fraudulent and misbilled calls, the called party's name allows a person reviewing the billing record to quickly identify long distance calls, quickly discern business from personal calls, and audit calls made from phone lines with multiple users (e.g., employees or kids). Additionally, the billing record reviewer saves time and money by avoiding the need to call directory assistance or a billing service to identify the calls.

Abstract: Specialized telecom network users who burden the network, such as high-volume users of Internet services, are identified by analysis of network traffic data to identify addresses (e.g. telephone numbers) for callers to destinations associated with the particular call-in service. Destination telephone numbers may be identified from a list of known service providers or from a network traffic study, which identifies destination numbers receiving unique patterns of incoming traffic. Analysis of the records of calls to the destination numbers then identifies numbers for callers who made more than some minimum number of calls during the study or who accumulate more than some threshold amount of total connect time on such calls. The preferred embodiments utilize automated systems to compile and analyze call records from standard messages of a telephone network, such as interoffice signaling messages or automated accounting messages. Data from the records can be translated to identify the calling subscribers, e.g.

Abstract: An inter-network call accounting system for use in a communication network such as the public switched telephone network in Britain allows call records to be sorted according to the network operator to be charged in respect of the calls, prior to being priced and charged. A data analyzer incorporating an expert system is provided for call records which cannot be validated. The data analyzer can apply default or amended data, or can output invalid data to a suspended process awaiting updated reference information. Unfixable data is output to a sump for management purposes. A pricing and charging engine processes data already sorted according to billable entity and incorporates further data analysis for dealing with data invalid by reason of pricing and charging related information.

Abstract: An inter-network call accounting system for use in a communication network such as the public switched telephone network in Britain allows call records to be sorted according to the network operator to be charged in respect of the calls, prior to being priced and charged. A data analyzer incorporating an expert system is provided for call records which cannot be validated. The data analyzer can apply default or amended data, or can output invalid data to a suspended process awaiting updated reference information. Unfixable data is output to a sump for management purposes. A pricing and charging engine processes data already sorted according to billable entity and incorporates further data analysis for dealing with data invalid by reason of pricing and charging related information.