Abstract: A method of operating a charging system (20) comprises acts of defining a pool of plural asset accounts (24) and classifying the asset accounts of the account pool according to one or more account type classifications; and storing at least one appropriate account type classification for a product. The method further comprises, upon receiving an indication of a service request (6-1) involving the product, obtaining at least one appropriate account type classification for the product; and selecting from the pool of plural asset accounts (24) one or more of the asset accounts belonging to the at least one appropriate account type classification to charge (e.g., reserve/deduct) for the service request involving the product.

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: An accounts management node (20) of a communications system comprises a computer (30) configured, after initiation of a current cyclical job, to use computer-executable decision logic for determining what appropriate output action is to be taken with respect to plural affected accounts. The accounts management node (20) further comprises a generator (22) under control of the computer (30) and configured to automatically generate an appropriate output action for each affected account.

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: 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: 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: The present invention comprises a system and method for positioning a mobile station within an AMPS/TDMA system. Upon receipt of a positioning request for the mobile station at a positioning node, a positioning request indicator is transmitted to an MSC of the mobile station within a first group of ANSI-41 messages. The positioning data is determined for the mobile station responsive to the positioning request indicator and transmitted back to the positioning node using a second group of ANSI-41 messages.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for positioning a mobile station within an AMPS/TDMA system. Upon receipt of a positioning request for the mobile station at a positioning node, a positioning request indicator is transmitted to an MSC of the mobile station within a first group of ANSI-41 messages. The positioning data is determined for the mobile station responsive to the positioning request indicator and transmitted back to the positioning node using a second group of ANSI-41 messages.