Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to control of data communications services. According to a specific example, an apparatus is provided including one or more computer processor circuits configured and arranged to interface with remotely-situated client entities using a first programming language associated with a message exchange protocol between a data communications server and data sources, and to provide a database of communications services to the client entities.

Abstract: The management of communications devices on an application service system is disclosed. The communications devices are associated with a user and a subscription account of a wireless service provider as identified by a wireless number. Charge data is received on the application service system from a billing system of the wireless provider. The charge data is for one of the communications devices. The charge data is then saved in a wireless device inventory database that includes one or more device records, each of which is associated with a particular one of the communications devices. The device records are also be defined by a wireless number and a charge record that includes one or more charge identifiers and corresponding charge amounts therefor. The charge data is stored in the device record. A report may be generated from the wireless device inventory database.

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: A billing data interface provides billing data to customers in an accurate and efficient manner. Billing data is processed to preserve client billing information and to meet a customer's individual data requirements. The billing data may be presented in such a way that the customer may input the billing data directly into its client billing system. The billing data may be processed according to client billing specifications corresponding to a client billing system used by the customer. The processed data may preserve leading zeros, separate client code and matter code into two fields, etc. The resulting data file may be delivered to the customer for entry into the customer's client billing system.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for segregating transactions in a multimode communication device. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device (102) has a controller (206) for managing operations of a wireless transceiver (202) that supports a plurality of access technologies. The controller can be programmed to update (301) a phonebook stored in the communication device, wherein each entry in the phonebook comprises a calling number and one among a plurality of account designations, and submit (344) the phonebook to a network management system (110) for segregating (514) billing of incoming and outgoing calls directed to and from the communication device on each of the access technologies according to a corresponding account designation retrieved (510) from the phonebook according to said calls.

Abstract: Service provisioning tasks can be performed to provision or deprovision services for users, reconcile overlapping services, and apply effective service properties. A service can be provisioned by receiving a request to provision the service for a user, reconciling new service properties with current service properties, from one or more service instances, to determine effective service properties, and applying the effective service properties as properties to use for the service for the user. A service can also be provisioned by receiving a request to provision the service for a user, storing a new service instance, and reconciling the new service instance with one or more previously stored service instances for the same service to determine effective service properties. A service provisioning system can perform provisioning operations for one or more internal and external service providers.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for outsourcing telecom billing are disclosed for issuing one or more first billing statements and one or more second billing statements from a first telecom network; and transmitting at least the one or more first billing statements to a second telecom network. The one or more first billing statements may reflect one or more charges from the first telecom network to the second telecom network, and the one or more second billing statements may reflect one or more charges from the second telecom network to one or more customers thereof. The one or more charges of the first and second billing statements may reflect the same service(s).

Abstract: A billing data interface provides billing data to customers in an accurate and efficient manner. Billing data is processed to preserve client billing information and to meet a customer's individual data requirements. The billing data may be presented in such a way that the customer may input the billing data directly into its client billing system. The billing data may be processed according to client billing specifications corresponding to a client billing system used by the customer. The processed data may preserve leading zeros, separate client code and matter code into two fields, etc. The resulting data file may be delivered to the customer for entry into the customer's client billing system.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for calculating a rate associated with an electronic message, utilizing an identifier of an associated session. In use, an identifier of a session is associated with an electronic message corresponding to the session. Furthermore, a rate associated with the electronic message is calculated, utilizing the identifier of the session.

Abstract: Synchronization is provided between a real-time charging system (22) and an off-line billing system (24) of a communications network. The synchronization is facilitated by the real-time charging system (22) preparing a reporting record which includes information comprising: (1) an accumulated cost parameter associated with the event; (2) the real-time account balance, the real-time account balance reflecting the accumulated cost parameter; and (3) a transaction identifier associated with the event. The reporting record (40) is processed by the off-line billing system (24) so that the balances of a real-time account (34) and a off-line account (54) for a subscriber and be compared and, if necessary, adjusted, or other actions taken.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products provide communications services. A request for communications service is received that originates from a client communications device associated with a user. The request for communications service communicates to a service provider of a communications network. The service provider then permits the user to negotiate with other service providers of other communications networks to fulfill the request for communications service.

Abstract: A communications system (20) and method of operation thereof charges a call to at least one of plural customer accounts. A basic method comprises receiving a user identifier from a communications network in conjunction with a communications call or session, using an account-based filter to make a determination whether the call, having a user identifier which is associated with a first account, should be alternatively or partially associated with a second account instead of the first account. The filter can make the determination based on a characteristic of the call. In differing or combinations of embodiments, the characteristic of the call can be (by way of non-limiting example) at least one of type of service utilized by the call; time of the call; location of a party to the call; particular user identity employed at authentication of the call.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying charges on a bill are provided. Each charge category is assigned an associated symbol. The associated symbol appears in proximity to the corresponding charge category on the bill. If a charge category includes charge subcategories, the symbol can also appear on the bill in proximity to the charge subcategory.

Abstract: One or more application server components serve to associate one or more digit strings with one or more numbers available to one party of one or more parties to a call and to impose one or more charges on the one or more numbers available to the one party to the call. Where the one party to the call employs an equipment that fails to support a P-Asserted-Identity header of the call, one application server component of the one or more application server components serves to: remove from the header of the call one digit string of the one or more digit strings available to the one party; insert into the P-Asserted-Identity header one number of the one or more numbers available to the one party associated with the one digit string; and to impose one charge of the one or more charges on the one number associated with the one digit string.

Abstract: Centralized billing is provided by processing requests for pre-paid and post-paid services at a service control point that is configured to prepare one or more associated event records. Event records associated with provided services can be stored at the service control point or in a remote database, or the service control point can direct the event records to a central billing system that is configured to bill subscribers directly or to transmit event records to one or more payment systems via a financial gateway. Service control point service logic is configured to permit negative account balances for post-paid subscribers, while account balances remain positive for pre-paid subscribers. Credit limits can be associated with post-paid subscribers, and service authorization can be based on such credit limits.

Abstract: A billing data interface provides billing data to customers in an accurate and efficient manner. Billing data is processed to preserve client billing information and to meet a customer's individual data requirements. The billing data may be presented in such a way that the customer may input the billing data directly into its client billing system. The billing data may be processed according to client billing specifications corresponding to a client billing system used by the customer. The processed data may preserve leading zeros, separate client code and matter code into two fields, etc. The resulting data file may be delivered to the customer for entry into the customer's client billing system.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a service accounting system containing one or more classified service accounts, in particular for mobile/cellular services. More specifically, a service accounting system connected to a main accounting system, part of a main account being transferable to a service account, and the use thereof are described. The invention provides a solution to deal with the accounting of differentiated services. In particular, a solution is provided to give users control over their expenses on a differentiated service basis. Also for service providers, a solution is provided to take actions on a differentiated services account basis.

Abstract: A technique for providing flexible communication device usage attribution is provided. Identification information of a user of a communication device is received from the communication device at a primary service provider. It is determined if the user of the communication device is the owner of the communication device at the primary service provider. Usage information is attributed to an account of the owner on the primary service provider when the user is identified as the owner. Usage information is attributed to an account of the user when the user is not identified as the owner and the user is subscribed to one of the primary service provider and a service provider associated with the primary service provider.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of changing a balance of a subscriber (MS1 . . . MS6) belonging to a subscriber group (G1, G2) of a telecommunication network. The invention comprises forming at least one subscriber group (G1, G2) comprising two or more subscribers (MS1 . . . MS6), forming a prepaid balance for each subscriber (MS1 . . . MS6), which prepaid balance is charged when services of the telecommunication network are used, and determining at least one subscriber (MS1 . . . MS6) in the group as a master subscriber, who has a right to carry out money transfers (3-14) between the prepaid balances of the members (MS1 . . . MS6) in the group.

Abstract: A method and system for determining rating data for services in a communication network, wherein an incoming charging request is received from a service element (105, 106), data such as a location number associated with a service or a subscriber (102) is accessed, and a tariff structure is traversed (307). It is determining whether there is a branching condition for the data and then if any list or record (201a,b; 202a,b; 203a,b; 204a,b) is associated with a subscriber (201), account (203), subscriber group (202), or account group (204) contains the data (309, 310). A list indicator corresponding to the data is accessed (311). It is determined whether there is a branching condition for the list indicator (312), and if so the list indicator is searched in the tariff structure (313). Analyse of the tariff structure is performed based on the list indicator for finding a resulting tariff for return to the request (314-320).

Abstract: When interworking two or more networks, such as a wireless local access network (WLAN) and a mobile communication network, user billing and service charging should be accurately collected and processed. To do so, certain types of service usage and charging information for certain users can be deleted depending upon the type of service provided to the user. Also, service usage and charging information can be periodically collected depending upon the type of service being provided. Furthermore, WLAN wireless access service usage and charging information, as well as mobile communication network service charging information can be collected upon correlation therebetween.

Abstract: A content delivery system for delivering digital multimedia content to a premise appliance of a user comprises an intelligent voice response (IVR) unit which is responsive via a public switched telephone network to a premise telephone of the user. The IVR unit presents a predetermined menu for selecting a transaction to receive the digital multimedia content. The IVR unit also obtains an identification of the user (such as the user's telephone number via automatic number identification or caller ID). A content server is coupled to the IVR unit for transferring the digital multimedia content to the premise appliance. A telephone billing system is coupled to the IVR unit or the content server. The telephone billing system creates a call record corresponding to the selected transaction and to a telephone billing account corresponding to the user identification. The call record contains usage information for the transaction which can later be used by the billing system to determine a charge for the transaction.

Abstract: A billing data interface provides billing data to customers in an accurate and efficient manner. Billing data is processed to preserve client billing information and to meet a customer's individual data requirements. The billing data may be presented in such a way that the customer may input the billing data directly into its client billing system. The billing data may be processed according to client billing specifications corresponding to a client billing system used by the customer. The processed data may preserve leading zeros, separate client code and matter code into two fields, etc. The resulting data file may be delivered to the customer for entry into the customer's client billing system.

Abstract: A method for identifying tracking accounts belonging to a customer of a service provider using profiles indicating customer patterns of use of the service. The profiles distinguish the account of the service provider customers from each other. Those profiles that substantially match are considered to belong to the same customer.

Abstract: A banded billing system for telecommunication service is disclosed. A carrier's billing system maintains in data storage a banded-pricing schedule that divides a continuum of minutes of use into a series of contiguous, mutually-exclusive minute-ranges and that specifies for each minutes-range a respective cost. At the end of a billing period, the billing system determines a number of minutes of telecommunication service used by a given subscriber during the billing period. The billing system then queries the banded-pricing schedule to determine which minute-range the number of minutes falls into, and to determine the cost specified by the banded-pricing schedule for that minute-range. The billing system then bills the determined cost to the subscriber, for use of the telecommunication service in the billing period.

Abstract: The present invention allows a global telephone number be assigned to a first outbound-only telephone line connected to a first service switching point (SSP) to be also assigned to a second outbound-only telephone line connected to a second service switching point. The global telephone number can be used as many times as there are service switching points within a single area code region. In a preferred embodiment, in which an outbound-only telephone line subscriber also has a regular telephone line, all calls originated from the subscriber's outbound-only telephone line can be billed against the account of the subscriber's regular telephone line. The invention also allows multiple outbound-only telephone lines be billed against the account of a single regular telephone line.

Abstract: A method for making a long distance or international telephone call is disclosed. A subscriber calls an assigned telephone number to access a sign-up calling plan service billed to a home plan at the home plan rates, and responds to a service announcement by entering the subscriber's home telephone number and a personal identification number that validates the caller. Another service announcement is responded to by the subscriber entering a selection responsive to whether the long distance call is an international call or not. To complete the call, the subscriber enters the long distance telephone number.

Abstract: A system is provided for receiving prepayment of telecommunication services is provided. The system comprises a wireless communication network, a wireline communication network, and a pre-payment server communicating with both the wireless communication network and the wireless communication network. The prepayment server stores a monetary amount associated with the telecommunication time paid for by a subscriber. A measuring module operating on the prepayment server monitors the amount of time the subscriber uses both the wireless communication network and the wireless communication network and decreasing the monetary amount accordingly. The system enables a subscriber to make a single prepayment for telecommunication services, and the amount applies to both the subscriber's wireline or wireless telecommunications devices.

Abstract: A resource management strategy for a network controller device such as an SVC (Switched Virtual Circuit) controller that interprets and processes call messages transported in a connection-oriented network by means of high-capacity switching devices. The call record of given call is compressed or expanded depending upon the transition in phase that a call is undergoing, if any. The strategy is applicable to both point-to-point and point-to-multi-point calls.

Abstract: A system and methods for allowing wireless users to make and send calls using a second wireless billing number or “line” assigned to a single wireless telephone advantageously requires no changes to the air interface or messaging protocol between a Mobile Switching Center and the wireless telephone. The second line is provisioned in the HLR. When the wireless telephone registers with a VLR, the HLR inserts the second billing number. When making a call, the user flags that the second line or number is to be billed by adding a predefined set of digits or characters to the called telephone number. The system recognizes the digits and creates appropriate billing records for the second number. When a call is received on the second billing number or line, the system recognizes that the call is destined for the second billing number, and adds the predefined flag digits to the Calling Party Number to be displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for billing and a device thereof and more particularly relates to the method and the device for dividing the monthly charges of each subscriber into a personal-use portion and a business-use portion according to the predetermined criteria and divisionally billing each subscriber for the personal-use portion and the entity that will pay for each subscriber regarding the sum of business-use portion.

Abstract: A method settling accounts of buyers and sellers of telecommunications services by an online exchange system includes storing data representing a financial account of at least one seller and at least one buyer, wherein the financial account includes at least one of accounts receivable and cash receipts. A service node receives an offer to sell the services from the at least one seller and requests to buy the services from the at least one buyer. The service node then matches the offer and requests in accordance with one or more parameters specified in the offers and requests. A route table is generated based on the routes specified in the matched offers and requests and a switch node is configured based on the route table. Fees are computed based on the usage of the matched routes and the financial accounts of the at least one seller and at least one buyer based on the computer fees.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying multiple accounts belonging to a customer of a service provider using profiles indicating customer patterns of use of the service. The profiles distinguish the accounts of the service provider customers from each other. Those profiles that substantially match are considered to correspond to the same customer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling access to a telecommunications and messaging services system from a server computer that has a web browser installed. The apparatus includes a billing server that maintains a database of telecommunications transaction records. Each time a new telecommunications event occurs, such as a toll call from a number in a user's account, a new transaction record is added to the data base. A service provider interfaces to the database of transaction records through a series of web pages that are transmitted over the internet by a web server. The web pages that are generated by the web server provide the service provider with the capabilty to periodically query the data base to detect the occurrence of a prescribed account event, such as exceeding a charge credit limit. Upon detection of the prescribed account event, messages are sent to the web server to control access to the telecommunications and messaging services system for a corresponding account.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system implementing the method for arranging subscriber billing in a multi-provider environment wherein a subscriber desiring a service uses both a first network (A) and a second network (T). In order to bill the subscriber, either a tariff of the second network (T) is transmitted to the first network (A), a tariff of the first network is combined with the tariff of the second network and the subscriber is billed according to the combined tariff, or a billing identifier is generated in the first network (A) to be transmitted to the second network (T), the billing identifier is attached to billing information in both networks and the pieces of the billing information that comprise the same billing identifier are combined in order to bill the subscriber. The invention thus enables a subscriber in a multi-provider environment to be billed using a single bill.

Abstract: The present invention allows a global telephone number be assigned to a first outbound-only telephone line connected to a first service switching point (SSP) to be also assigned to a second outbound-only telephone line connected to a second service switching point. The global telephone number can be used as many times as there are service switching points within a single area code region. In a preferred embodiment, in which an outbound-only telephone line subscriber also has a regular telephone line, all calls originated from the subscriber's outbound-only telephone line can be billed against the account of the subscriber's regular telephone line. The invention also allows multiple outbound-only telephone lines be billed against the account of a single regular telephone line.

Abstract: A system is provided for receiving prepayment of telecommunication services is provided. The system comprises a wireless communication network, a wireline communication network, and a pre-payment server communicating with both the wireless communication network and the wireless communication network. The prepayment server stores a monetary amount associated with the telecommunication time paid for by a subscriber. A measuring module operating on the prepayment server monitors the amount of time the subscriber uses both the wireless communication network and the wireless communication network and decreasing the monetary amount accordingly. The system enables a subscriber to make a single prepayment for telecommunication services, and the amount applies to both the subscriber's wireline or wireless telecommunications devices.

Abstract: System and method for facilitating consolidated billing within a converging telecommunications network. The system and method include and involve a network resource control facility communicating with and controlling a plurality of network resources within a merged telecommunications network to deliver at least one merged communications service. Each network resource is configured to provide a communications function and to generate corresponding billing data. The network resource control facility is configured to consolidate the billing data from at least one network resource from the plurality of network resources in real-time related to at least one telecommunications service provided within said telecommunications network to generate consolidated billing data.

Abstract: A method for identifying multiple accounts belonging to a customer of a service provider using profiles indicating customer patterns of use of the service. The profiles distinguish the accounts of the service provider customers from each other. Those profiles that substantially match are considered to correspond to the same customer.

Abstract: The present invention allows a global telephone number be assigned to a first outbound-only telephone line connected to a first service switching point (SSP) to be also assigned to a second outbound-only telephone line connected to a second service switching point. The global telephone number can be used as many times as there are service switching points within a single area code region. In a preferred embodiment, in which an outbound-only telephone line subscriber also has a regular telephone line, all calls originated from the subscriber's outbound-only telephone line can be billed against the account of the subscriber's regular telephone line. The invention also allows multiple outbound-only telephone lines be billed against the account of a single regular telephone line.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of prepaid services for the customers of a telecommunication network operator in a wired and/or mobile telephone network. The invention makes it possible to implement prepaid call services even in countries with a low level of development of telephony. In the procedure of the invention, it is not necessary to identify e.g. DTMF tones, but the normal dialling system can be used to the verification of right of use of the service.