Patents Represented by Attorney Gerald A. deBlase
  • Patent number: 5557664
    Abstract: A method is described for completing calls to wireless communications customers. A database is queried to determine whether to bill the calling party or the called party for communication charges (e.g., airtime charges) associated with the wireless communication service. When the query indicates that the calling party is to be billed for those communications charges, a telecommunications switch which received the call from the calling party is instructed to record information to be used in billing the calling party for the charges. At the same time, the wireless switch that normally would bill the called party for the charges is instructed to suppress billing of the called party for the charges. The billing instruction is sent to the wireless switch in a signaling message using a message parameter that is unaffected by intermediate (e.g., local exchange carrier) switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T
    Inventors: Elaine G. Burns, Esther L. Davenport, Belkacem Manseur, Gary A. Munson, Barry S. Seip, Elaine I. Sze