Patents Assigned to Boston Communications Group, Inc.
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Patent number: 7486945Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing communication events, such as telephone calls, for prepaying customers are described. The systems and methods permit, at the beginning of a communication event, the determination of a time limit for the event based on the available balance in a prepayment account associated with the event.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2004Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Boston Communications Group, Inc.Inventors: Paul Senn, Thomas Erskine, John Cooper, Kenneth W. Sonberg
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Publication number: 20080274724Abstract: A system and method performs real-time subscriber management and accounting for a wireless device by detecting predetermined events within the wireless device and communicating information pertaining to such events from the wireless device to a real-time subscriber management platform in association with each communication session. The information received by the real-time subscriber management platform is used to control the behavior of the wireless device and/or to update accounting information pertaining to the subscriber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: Boston Communications Group, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Erskine, Luther Rudisill, Kenneth Sonberg
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Patent number: 7418252Abstract: A system and method performs real-time subscriber management and accounting for a wireless device by detecting predetermined events within the wireless device and communicating information pertaining to such events from the wireless device to a real-time subscriber management platform in association with each communication session. The information received by the real-time subscriber management platform is used to control the behavior of the wireless device and/or to update accounting information pertaining to the subscriber.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Boston Communications Group, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Erskine, Luther Rudisill, Kenneth Sonberg
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Patent number: 7218912Abstract: A system for controlling wireless phone usage enables a supervisor to establish user profiles for supervised users of wireless phones across a range of parameters which are stored in a user profile database. Such parameters may include one or more locations at which use of the wireless phone is restricted or permitted. In addition, restrictions on phone use may be provided based upon total phone usage within a specified control period, time periods, dates or days of the week during which phone use is restricted or permitted. One or more lists including numbers that are always-accessible may be provided and one or more lists including numbers that are never-accessible may also be provided. In the event a call does not satisfy predefined criteria, the call is blocked. Predetermined messages may be played to the called or calling party as applicable when a call is blocked.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Boston Communications Group, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Erskine, Kenneth W. Sonberg, Luther Rudisill
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Patent number: 7206569Abstract: A system for controlling wireless phone usage enables a supervisor to establish user profiles for supervised users of wireless phones across a range of parameters which are stored in a user profile database. Such parameters may include one or more locations at which use of the wireless phone is restricted or permitted. In addition, restrictions on phone use may be provided based upon total phone usage within a specified control period, time periods, dates or days of the week during which phone use is restricted or permitted. One or more lists including numbers that are always-accessible may be provided and one or more lists including numbers that are never-accessible may also be provided. In the event a call does not satisfy predefined criteria, the call is blocked. Predetermined messages may be played to the called or calling party as applicable when a call is blocked.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Boston Communications Group, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Erskine, Kenneth W. Sonberg, Luther Rudisill
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Patent number: 7197321Abstract: A system for controlling wireless phone usage enables a supervisor to establish user profiles for supervised users of wireless phones across a range of parameters which are stored in a user profile database. Such parameters may include one or more locations at which use of the wireless phone is restricted or permitted. In addition, restrictions on phone use may be provided based upon total phone usage within a specified control period, time periods, dates or days of the week during which phone use is restricted or permitted. One or more lists including numbers that are always-accessible may be provided and one or more lists including numbers that are never-accessible may also be provided. In the event a call does not satisfy predefined criteria, the call is blocked. Predetermined messages may be played to the called or calling party as applicable when a call is blocked.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Boston Communications Group, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Erskine, Kenneth W. Sonberg, Luther Rudisill
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Patent number: 7187928Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods that operate to provide seamless roaming to a prepaid subscriber in as many markets as possible. To that end, the systems of the invention include a location register (LR) that can determine the type, or class, of serving market with which the roaming subscriber is registering. Once the class of the serving market is identified, the LR can modify a subscriber's profile as a function of this class, and return to the serving market a profile that will allow the serving market to employ the prepaid platform that services the subscriber and thereby provide services to the roaming subscriber. In optional embodiments, the LR may also respond to location requests from the prepaid platform. The location information may be employed by the subscriber to determine a rate structure for a call, and thereby decrement the subscriber's balance as a function of, at least in part, the location of the roaming subscriber.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Boston Communications Group, Inc.Inventors: Paul Senn, Thomas Erskine, John R. Cooper
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Publication number: 20040171368Abstract: Systems and methods for prerating communication events, such as telephone calls, for prepaying customers are described. The systems and methods permit, at the beginning of a communication event, the determination of a time limit for the event based on the available balance in a prepayment account associated with the event.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Boston Communications Group, Inc.Inventors: Paul Senn, Thomas Erskine, John Cooper, Kenneth W. Sonberg
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Publication number: 20040166878Abstract: A system for controlling wireless phone usage enables a supervisor to establish user profiles for supervised users of wireless phones across a range of parameters which are stored in a user profile database. Such parameters may include one or more locations at which use of the wireless phone is restricted or permitted. In addition, restrictions on phone use may be provided based upon total phone usage within a specified control period, time periods, dates or days of the week during which phone use is restricted or permitted. One or more lists including numbers that are always-accessible may be provided and one or more lists including numbers that are never-accessible may also be provided. In the event a call does not satisfy predefined criteria, the call is blocked. Predetermined messages may be played to the called or calling party as applicable when a call is blocked.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Boston Communications Group, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Erskine, Kenneth W. Sonberg, Luther Rudisill
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Patent number: 6704563Abstract: Systems and methods for prerating communication events, such as telephone calls, for prepaying customers are described. The systems and methods permit, at the beginning of a communication event, the determination of a time limit for the event based on the available balance in a prepayment account associated with the event.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Boston Communications Group, Inc.Inventors: Paul Senn, Thomas Erskine, John Cooper, Kenneth W. Sonberg
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Publication number: 20030143978Abstract: A system for providing alternative billing and service authorization for pre-paid wireless calls segments call flow to supporting subsystems and limits trunk usage exclusively to short pre- and post-call announcements. An Integrated Services Digital Network User Part (ISUP) Application, hosted by an SS7 Service Switching Point, keeps call state information, implements call-flow capabilities, and accesses resources for messaging. An Intelligent Peripheral (IP) provides an Interactive Voice Response Unit. A Responder serves as an interface to a database of pre-paid plan subscriber information, rates calls, and defines messages to be voiced by the IP. A Call Controller manages call context data for use by the Responder and conveys script information from the Responder to the IP. SS7 ISUP signaling enables out-of-band signaling between a carrier's MSC and the ISUP Application.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2003Publication date: July 31, 2003Applicant: Boston Communications Group, Inc.Inventors: John Cooper, John W. Hayes, Peter Zuyus