Abstract: A telecommunications method for call forwarding including storing information regarding a called party in at least one local database, where the information regarding the called party is stored in a user account and making a telephone call by dialing a telephone number with a telephone, where the telephone is contained in a telephone management system. The method also includes determining whether the telephone number is associated with the user account and transferring, via the switchboard, the call to the called party if the telephone number is associated with the user account, where the telephone management system is in communication with a revenue management system, and also where the revenue management system contains at least one local database.

Abstract: A method for processing a non-normalized local exchange routing guide (LERG) table to produce a normalized LERG table. The LERG tables have an NPA field, an NXX field, a Block_Id field, and a Switch_Id field. The method includes joining all distinct combinations of NPA and NXX in the non-normalized LERG table to all valid Block Ids to produce a NormLERG table. The method further includes populating a Switch Id field, in each NormLERG record having a distinct NPA-NXX value. The populating of the Switch_Id field is based on a number of corresponding non-normalized LERG records and on the Switch_Id field in one of the corresponding non-normalized LERG records and on a number of distinct Switch ID values in the corresponding non-normalized LERG records. Each of the corresponding non-normalized LERG records has a same one of the NPA-NXX values.

Abstract: A system for providing enhanced history information across multiple clients comprises a call application server having a history system, a telephony system and a history cache. The call application server advantageously maintains a history records for each user of the system. The enhanced history system is particularly advantageous because regardless of the endpoint (e.g., phone, thin client, personal call manager or standalone IP phone) with which the user is interacting, the history information specifically for that user is delivered by the call application server to that endpoint. Furthermore, the call application server allows the user to access history information using end points which heretofore were unable to provide history functionality. Finally, the call application server makes the history records universal across all endpoints with which the user interacts, in contrast to prior art, which had limited call history information specific to a particular endpoint.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for aggregating phone numbers for contact. Embodiments retrieve the contact record corresponding to the customer; determine any phone numbers associated with the contact record; determine any financial accounts owned or otherwise associated with the customer; determine any phone numbers associated with the financial accounts; determine whether any of the phone numbers associated with the financial accounts are not included in the phone numbers associated with the contact record; and, in response to determining that at least one phone number associated with the financial accounts is not included in the phone numbers associated with the contact record, update the contact record to indicate the at least one phone number associated with the financial accounts.

Abstract: A system may include a database configured to selectively store and retrieve data. The system may further include a call record parser configured to receive a plurality of call records, each call record being associated with a respective call, parse the plurality of call records to identify periods of resource usage and types of resource usage for the associated calls, create parsed data based on the identified periods of resource usage and the types of resource usage, and store the parsed data in the database indexed according to the type of the identified resource and including the start and end times for the identified periods of usage.

Abstract: A system and method for routing data packets may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of a second packet network may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined network usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined. The data packets may be routed utilizing a threshold for the network usage differential.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method for processing a non-normalized local exchange routing guide (LERG) table to produce a normalized LERG table. The LERG tables have an NPA field, an NXX field, a Block_Id field, and a Switch_Id field. The method includes joining all distinct combinations of NPA and NXX in the non-normalized LERG table to all valid Block_Ids to produce a NormLERG table. The method further includes populating a Switch_Id field, in each NormLERG record having a distinct NPA-NXX value. The populating of the Switch_Id field is based on a number of corresponding non-normalized LERG records and on the Switch_Id field in one of the corresponding non-normalized LERG records and on a number of distinct Switch_ID values in the corresponding non-normalized LERG records. Each of the corresponding non-normalized LERG records has a same one of the NPA-NXX values.

Abstract: A node (22) of a communications system is configured use behavioral information (26) regarding a customer/subscriber's communication usage to automatically perform a promotional activity (28) with respect to communication usages of the customer/subscriber with another customer/subscriber. In an example implementation, the node (22) comprises electronic circuitry (38) configured to use the behavioral information (26) regarding the customer/subscriber's communication usage to automatically perform the promotional activity (28) with respect to the communication usages of the customer/subscriber with the another customer/subscriber. In its various embodiments, the promotional activity (28) comprises at least one of a financial discount activity; a new access activity; a quality of service change activity; and, an advance recharge activity.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a mobile user cluster by call detail records (CDRs) is provided. The system and method identifies at least one mobile user cluster according to a plurality of CDRs generated by a plurality of mobile users during a first period and a second period of time. Each mobile user of the identified cluster generates at least one CDR at a same geographical location during the first period of time, and a mobile user sequence is formed between any two mobile users of the identified cluster. At least one CDR is generated between any two neighboring mobile users of the mobile user sequence during the second period of time. Examples for the mobile user cluster include cohabiting family members, familiar neighborhood, colleagues, schoolmates, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for monitoring and evaluating multimedia telephonic and computer-communication interactions. The multimedia quality monitoring system may include an event manager, which may receive a notification associated with a VoIP communication between an agent and a customer and recording servers, which record data associated with the VoIP communication.

Abstract: A telecommunications toll network system employs a central database computer to provide routing and calling rate instructions to toll switches. To allow sponsors of pay services, such as 900 number information services, to control the kinds of calls they receive and the rates charged, the central database computer employs routing plans. These routing plans contain conditional branches selected based on data provided in a query from the originating toll switch (OTS) and sent to the database computer via common channel signaling (CCS). According to embodiments, sponsors can insert objects, called rate nodes, in their routing plans to override the default rate to be applied to the call. Rate nodes are non-branching elements inserted in a routing plan that specify a rate to be used for billing. The rate is specified on the automated message accounting (AMA) record and used by a billing platform to generate bills to the callers.

Abstract: A communication device and method for managing communication data include acquiring communication data of the communication device, searching the storage system for communication data of a selected contact according to an inputted name of the selected contact. The communication device and method further include generating a communication report of the selected contact according to the searched communication data of the selected contact, displaying the communication report on a display of the communication device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of integrated billing management by real-time session management, and a computer readable medium thereof are provided. The integrated billing management apparatus performs billing management functions, that is, analyzes various messages related to the billing service request, manages sessions in real time, processes reliable billing information data and generates formulaic billing information. Then, the integrated billing management apparatus transmits the result of processing the billing service to the user terminal through the network access device. Therefore, the customer discontents can be responded in real time and customized billing management service based on the amount of service used can be provided form all wired and wireless network services.

Abstract: A computer-assisted system and method for auditing a communications bill wherein billing information is collected, reformatted and stored for use in a set of automated audits. The system and method for auditing a communications bill further collects data from other external systems such as a work order system, a trouble ticket system, an inventory system, an AMA/SMDR data source, an SS7 event record data source, or another source of call records or billing records. The data collected is used in a set of automated audits to determine if the communications bills contain errors. The system and method will further perform historical audits, and generate and manage the billing dispute process. The system and method will further provide audit reports and interface to an accounts payable system.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for logging calls according to call context are provided. A context for a call is detected, where the context include information such as the parties to a call, whether a backup party is accessed, where the call is on behalf of another, the locations of the parties to the call, the subject matter of the call, tariffs applied during the call, billing for telephone services accessed during the call, and orders placed during the call. At least one context based logging request valid for the context for the call is accessed from among multiple context based logging requests stored for multiple parties. Parties requesting logging may include parties to the call, on behalf of parties, third parties, and guardians. The context is logged according to the context based logging request.

Abstract: A system and method for determining inter-carrier network usage may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier by subscribers of a second communications carrier that manages a second packet network. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of the second packet network by subscribers of the first communications subscriber may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined, where the network usage information may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time and non-real-time content.

Abstract: A method of accounting for activities in a system comprising a telephone handset, including associating use of the telephone handset with a user, allowing the user to perform a call through use of the telephone handset without providing billing information relating to the call, communicating unbilled call information to at least one user computer associated with the user through a network, and prompting the user to input billing data relating to the unbilled call information at the at least one computer associated with the user.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing rate plans for communication services may include obtaining usage data for a user from a database of historical usage data for the user and determining rate plan costs based on the usage data. The method and system may include obtaining information from a user and determining, based on the user information, if usage data for the communication services may be available for the user and obtaining the usage data from inputs by the user, including uploads of electronic bills, when the usage data is not available from the database. The method may be implemented on a web-based site server, which can connect to a decision engine for analyzing the usage data and determining the costs for the rate plan. The decision engine may access the historical usage database through one or more Application Program Interfaces operating on one or more billing servers.

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: A system and method for servicing a caller at a contact center includes prompting the caller for a password associated with a certificate of disability of the caller, then accessing a database that contains the certificate authenticating the password to retrieve information listed in the certificate. The certificate information includes a type of disability of the caller. Following authentication, the system provides a service response appropriate for the type of disability of the caller. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating heterogeneous phone message mailboxes in a common interface. A message record is created in a data structure of a local telephone device when a phone message received over a first telephone line is stored in a local answering device is completed. A message alert is received when a remote phone message is stored in a remote mailbox associated with a second telephone line linked to the local telephone device. The remote phone message is sent to the local telephone device for silent playback. The remote message is marked as old at the remote mailbox. A message record is created in the data structure corresponding to the remote message. A program operates to produce an ordered message record list in the data structure that includes, for example, an interleaved chronological list of all phone messages stored in the local and remote mailboxes.

Abstract: A call is established between a circuit-switched network element and a packet-switched network element. A first call record is generated to record the circuit switched network element's involvement in the call, and a second call record is generated to record the packet-switched network element's involvement in the call. The first and second call records include the same internetwork call identifier to identify the call. The first and second call records are stored, e.g., in a centralized call record repository. Call records for a given call can be retrieved based on the internetwork call identifier for the given call.

Abstract: A method for implementing charging communication services is provided, wherein, the charging system includes a charging module and an expression analyzer; the charging module first determines a plurality of basic expression factors, and a user configures expressions based on the expression factors; the charging module reads a communication record, obtains the values of the expression factors by analyzing the communication record, and transmits the values of the expression factors to the expression analyzer; the expression analyzer performs the expression operation assigned with the expression factor values and finally returns the operation result to a charging module; and the charging module searches the corresponding charging rate according to the operation result and calculate the fee.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for logging calls according to call context are provided. A context for a call is detected, where the context include information such as the parties to a call, whether a backup party is accessed, where the call is on behalf of another, the locations of the parties to the call, the subject matter of the call, tariffs applied during the call, billing for telephone services accessed during the call, and orders placed during the call. At least one context based logging request valid for the context for the call is accessed from among multiple context based logging requests stored for multiple parties. Parties requesting logging may include parties to the call, on behalf of parties, third parties, and guardians. The context is logged according to the context based logging request.

Abstract: A computer-assisted system and method for auditing a communications bill wherein billing information is collected, reformatted and stored for use in a set of automated audits. The system and method for auditing a communications bill further collects data from other external systems such as a work order system, a trouble ticket system, an inventory system, an AMA/SMDR data source, an SS7 event record data source, or another source of call records or billing records. The data collected is used in a set of automated audits to determine if the communications bills contain errors. The system and method will further perform historical audits, and generate and manage the billing dispute process. The system and method will further provide audit reports and interface to an accounts payable system.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a wireless network includes receiving at a mobile device a signal having data indicative of a location of the mobile device. A determination is made whether the mobile device is within the coverage area of a specified network based on the data. The mobile device scans for the specified network in response to at least determining that it is within the coverage area of the specified network.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing a usage pattern for a customer of an intelligently-switched telecommunications system. The usage pattern provides historical information concerning the customer's use of the telecommunications system. One embodiment includes communicating either with the telecommunications system or with a data network and receiving a query for the customer's usage pattern. The query could originate from the customer using a computer device operating on the data network or from the customer using a telephonic/wireless device operating on the telecommunications system. The usage pattern is acquired from either a service control point operating on the telecommunications system or a database operating on the data network. The usage pattern is then communicated to the customer along either the data network or the telecommunications system, whereby the customer uses the computer device, or the telephonic/wireless device, to access the usage pattern.

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, wherein the calling profile record is organized with parameters selected from the group consisting of, where calls are made and received, when calls are made and received, and what types of calls are made and received. The processor then analyzes the processed data in relation to a plurality of rate plans of a plurality of telecommunications service providers, and determines at least one proposed rate plan that would save the subscriber telecommunication costs relative to the current rate plan.

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: This invention provides methods and apparatus for context based querying to more efficiently provide directory services. In particular, methods and apparatus for querying a database to resolve contact information, e.g., a phone number, based on the context of the query are provided. By querying based on context, the query may be searched using a smaller field of search. Moreover, a context based query allows private phone numbers to be provided when the context of the query has been authenticated and approved for disclosure of the private phone number. Thus, when processing a query for a phone number, the present invention evaluates the context of the query in addition to the query itself to determine what results to provide to a user.

Abstract: A computer code generation tool generates computer code to facilitate development of call detail record (CDR) management tools. The computer code generation tool inputs one or more raw CDR structures and creates a generic CDR structure therefrom. Given a generic CDR structure and one or more raw CDR structures that it encapsulates, the computer code generation tool generates computer code to read data from the raw CDR(s) stored on disk and store that data in the generic CDR. The computer code generation tool can also generate computer code to generate raw CDRs from the data stored in the generic CDR.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing a usage pattern for a customer of an intelligently-switched telecommunications system. The usage pattern provides historical information concerning the customer's use of the telecommunications system. One embodiment includes communicating either with the telecommunications system or with a data network and receiving a query for the customer's usage pattern. The query could originate from the customer using a computer device operating on the data network or from the customer using a telephonic/wireless device operating on the telecommunications system. The usage pattern is acquired from either a service control point operating on the telecommunications system or a database operating on the data network. The usage pattern is then communicated to the customer along either the data network or the telecommunications system, whereby the customer uses the computer device, or the telephonic/wireless device, to access the usage pattern.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of offering a service to a user. The method comprises receiving a dialed number from a request to initiate a collect telephone call from an origination source; processing the dialed number to determine whether payment may be received for the collect telephone call, wherein the processing blocks the collect call and stores the dialed number when the processing determines that payment may not be received for the collect telephone call; and establishing a telephone connection with the dialed number to communicate an offer for the service to a user associated with the dialed number.

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 method, system, and computer program product that provides voice over the Internet communication. A Voice over the Internet (VoIP) system includes a gateway server that handles calls received from a public switched telephone network and a packet-switched network, a routing server, and a database server. Messages can be sent between the gateway server, routing server, and database server over the packet-switched network. A provisioning system is coupled to the database server. A management system is also coupled to the gateway server, routing server, database server, and management system over the packet-switched network. A network manager automatically queries a client database to determine an update, and sends a message representative of the update to at least one of the gateway server, routing server, database server, and management system over the packet-switched network. A licensing server supports licensing of the VoIP system.

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: Method for enabling a telecommunications service provider, in particular in the field of prepaid mobile services, to reward certain service customers on the basis of characteristics, chosen by the service provider, without having to interfere with billing systems. To this end, the chosen characteristics are stored and kept up to date in a database, in the form of a user profile and the data relating to rewards in a rewards database; the rewarding takes place at the moment the customer wishes to recharge his prepaid card.

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 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: This invention uses a computer program to mine preexisting dialing plan data located in a variety of preexisting source dialing plan databases. The computer program either creates a new dialing plan database from parts of existing dialing plan databases or modifies an existing dialing plan database. The computer program replaces the current system's reliance upon manual data entry by data engineers to configure the operation of a new telecommunication switch or replace the software in a telecommunication switch that was damaged or requires a new dialing plan data configuration.

Abstract: Method and system for locating ambiguities relating to calls in a telecommunication system. In the method, a call is monitored and a call-specific call detailed record is generated about the call, said record containing essential monitoring information. In particular, a new field is added to the call-specific call detailed record and predetermined additional monitoring conditions for the monitoring of call progress is added are set in the call monitoring unit. In addition, a search is performed to find records fulfilling the predetermined additional monitoring conditions and information is added into the new field of the call-specific call detailed record if any of the predetermined monitoring conditions are fulfilled. After this, the call detailed records generated can be transferred for further operation to the control system.

Abstract: A device, a system and method for storing connection data transmitted by a telephone exchange (11) in an agent unit (19), where the agent unit is part of a subordinate means in a supervising system. A superordinate supervising means (24) is formed of one or more computers with the task of collecting data from one or more telephone exchanges, which they contact over some data network (23) via the agent unit (19). The connection data is transmitted by the exchange unit and stored in the reserved memory area (the buffer) (20) in the agent unit (19) and can be emptied and collected by the superordinate supervising means (24) through a normal file transfer process over said data network (23).

Abstract: A telecommunications service billing administrator for providing real-time billing query functionality. The billing administrator has a billing system with a processor coupled to a billing information data repository. The billing information data repository updates an account table and a call table during the placement of a telecommunications call leg. The information updated includes a billing account summary. The subscriber can issue a billing inquiry request in which the billing system responds with an announcement of the billing account summary.

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: An article of manufacture including a computer usable medium having software embodied therein for managing at least one telephone system having a PBX switch and database and at least one adjunct system and database.