Abstract: An internetwork (such as the Internet) telephony system and method incorporating architecture and methodology which facilitates a high degree of scalability. The scalability provides improvement dealing with usage recording, usage pricing, billing account management, and fraud control. The scalability is achieved primarily by bundling of usage recording, pricing, authorization and billing practices in one logical database object which may be physically distributed. A predefined set of network elements are provided access to the database object to obtain authorization for a call along with limitations on the maximum cost or duration of the call for the particular account involved. The database object records usage statistics relating to the completed call, including pricing, and this data is available for virtually immediate billing. The database object provides to customers on a virtual real time basis the customer's usage statistics, including statistics for a call in progress.

Abstract: In various forms of telephone network signaling, automatic number identification information (ANI) includes a field of two or more ‘information’ (II) digits, typically used to indicate a calling line attribute, such as hospital line, residential line, payphone, etc. A number of situations have arisen where it is desirable to use these digits to control network functions and it is necessary to accurately pass the digits through with all call related signaling. For example, accurate II digits can enable appropriate processing, billing and payments for toll-free calls from payphones. Existing switch software, however, does not always provide the correct II digits or pass the digits through unchanged. In accord with the invention, a call requiring flexible ANI functionality triggers access to a central database, preferably in a service control point (SCP) or a signaling transfer point (STP).

Abstract: A monitoring system captures and processes messages from SS7 links, to compile call detail records (CDRs) for all interoffice call attempts. The CDRs are uploaded into a relational database. Automatic Message Accounting (AMA) records also are accumulated and uploaded to another relational database. A data preparation operation enhances the records for further processing. This data preparation operation involves translating information in the records into more useful forms, using external reference data regarding the monitored network. For example, the data preparation translates SS7 point codes or NPA-NXX codes in the records to textual names of originating and terminating offices. The data preparation also spreads the usage information from the records to properly allocate usage time to predefined intervals. Another function of the data preparation stage is to form one or more predefined tables from the processed records, for example a table of modified records and one or more specialized summary tables.