Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for allowing a party (i.e., a controlling party) to monitor the usage of a handset in real time. The handset being monitored (i.e, a reporting handset) may be involved in one or more communication events, such as initiating or terminating voice calls, initiating or terminating data sessions, sending or receiving text messages, etc. When a communication event occurs involving the reporting handset, a communication event report is generated in the reporting handset or the communication network. The communication event report is then transmitted to a controlling handset of the controlling party so that the controlling party may view the report. Because the communication event report is generated and transmitted to the controlling party responsive to the occurrence of the communication event, the report of the communication event is provided to the controlling party in real time.

Abstract: IMS networks, text message systems, and methods are disclosed for delivering text messages to IMS wireline phones. A text message system of an IMS network receives a text message intended for the IMS wireline phone. The text message system identifies capability data for an IMS wireline phone that indicates the capability of the IMS wireline phone for handling text messages. The text message system processes the capability data for the IMS wireline phone to determine if the IMS wireline phone is capable of handling text messages. If the IMS wireline phone is not capable of handling text messages, then the text message system appends the text message to a caller ID header of an IMS signaling message, and forwards the IMS signaling message to the IMS wireline phone to display the text message on a caller ID unit associated with the IMS wireline phone.

Abstract: IMS networks and methods are disclosed for authorizing financial transactions. Credit card information, debit card information, and other purchasing data may be consolidated into an IMS device for conducting financial transactions, such as the purchasing of items from a merchant. Before a financial transaction can be completed, an IMS device transmits transaction data for the financial transaction to the IMS network. The IMS network then processes predefined purchasing rules to determine whether or not the financial transaction is authorized. If the financial transaction is authorized, then the IMS network transmits a confirmation message to the IMS device indicating that the financial transaction is authorized. If the financial transaction is not authorized, then the IMS network transmits a cancel message to the IMS device indicating that the financial transaction is not authorized.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a real-time cost for a session over a communication network to a user of a communication device. To provide the real-time cost, rate information for a session is determined, and the elapsed duration for the session is monitored. Based on the rate information and the elapsed duration, an estimated cost for the session may be determined. The estimated cost may then be displayed or otherwise provided to the user of the communication device so that the user is informed of the cost of the session as the session progresses. The rate information and an estimated account balance may also be provided to the user.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed that synchronize call feature data between an IMS network and a legacy network, such as a cellular network. An IMS subscriber server (e.g., a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)) is notified of changes to feature data for a call feature (e.g., call forwarding, call waiting, etc) in the IMS network. Responsive to the notification, the IMS subscriber server updates a legacy subscriber server (e.g., a Home Location Register (HLR)) in the legacy network based on the change to the feature data. Similarly, the IMS subscriber server identifies changes to feature data for a call feature in the legacy network. Responsive to the change, the IMS subscriber server notifies one or more application servers in the IMS network of the change to the feature data. Through the IMS subscriber server, feature data for call features is synchronized between the IMS network and the legacy network.

Abstract: A technique and system are provided to allow home subscriber servers (HSSs) to retrieve a subscriber's dynamic location/state information from a legacy home location register (HLR). For example, a mobile application part (MAP) operation ATI (AnyTimeInterrogation) messaging technique may be used by the home subscriber server (HSS) to query the legacy home location register (HLR) and obtain the requested location/state information.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed that synchronize call feature data between an IMS network and a legacy network, such as a cellular network. An IMS subscriber server (e.g., a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)) is notified of changes to feature data for a call feature (e.g., call forwarding, call waiting, etc) in the IMS network. Responsive to the notification, the IMS subscriber server updates a legacy subscriber server (e.g., a Home Location Register (HLR)) in the legacy network based on the change to the feature data. Similarly, the IMS subscriber server identifies changes to feature data for a call feature in the legacy network. Responsive to the change, the IMS subscriber server notifies one or more application servers in the IMS network of the change to the feature data. Through the IMS subscriber server, feature data for call features is synchronized between the IMS network and the legacy network.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for providing offline charging in a 3GPP network for sessions over a wireless local area network (WLAN) access network. A AAA server in the 3GPP network provides offline charging messages for a session to an offline charging system. If a data flow is established during the session, such as streaming video, then a packet data network gateway provides offline charging messages for the data flow to the offline charging system. The AAA server and the packet data network gateway share charging identifiers so that one or both are able to include the charging identifier for the session and the charging identifier for the data flow in an offline charging message. This allows the offline charging system to effectively correlate CDRs for the session with CDRs for the data flow occurring during the session.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for sharing charging information between a home IMS network and a visited IMS network. If a signaling message for a session is received in the visited IMS network, the visited IMS network assigns a visited charging identifier (e.g., ICID), and shares the visited charging identifier with the home IMS network through signaling messages. Similarly, the home IMS network assigns a home charging identifier, and shares the home charging identifier with the visited IMS network through signaling messages. When CDRs are generated in the home IMS network and the visited IMS network, the networks include the home charging identifier and the visited charging identifier in the CDRs so that billing systems may more easily correlate the CDRs from the different IMS networks.

Abstract: IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing supplemental content to a user of a communication device during registration. When a communication device attempts to register with an IMS network, the IMS network receives a register request message from the communication device, and processes the register request message to register the communication device. The IMS network also identifies supplemental content to provide to the communication device, such as account information, weather content, news, location information, advertisements, etc. The IMS network generates a register response message, and embeds or otherwise includes the supplemental content in the register response message. The IMS network then transmits the register response message to the communication device. Responsive to receiving the register response message, the communication device identifies the supplemental content in the register response message, and provides the supplemental content to the user.

Abstract: A routing technique for supporting an internet protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Subscriber Locator Function (SLF) is provided. It is, in part, based on using a user's identification information, e.g. a user's realm, to facilitate the routing of information. This technique enables the implementation of a distributed subscriber location function (SLF) in an IMS network. The subscriber locator function (SLF) ultimately allows for accommodation of more users through multiple home subscriber service (HSS) elements.

Abstract: IMS networks and methods are disclosed for authenticating a communication device and a user of the communication device. When a communication device attempts to register with an IMS network, the IMS network receives a register message from the device that includes device authentication information, such as a public or private identifier for the device. The IMS network processes the device authentication information to authenticate the communication device. The IMS network also receives user authentication information from the device, such as a password. The IMS network processes the user authentication information to authenticate the user of the device. The device and the user are both authenticated by the IMS network. Authentication of the user may also occur when originating a session or terminating a session over the IMS network with the device.

Abstract: IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing business-related content to wireless devices that are located within a business. For a business that has a WLAN, wireless devices within range of the wireless access point of the business receive an identifier for the wireless access point. The wireless devices then register with the IMS network using the access point ID. Through the access point ID, the IMS network identifies an application server that is associated with the business. The application server may then initiate sessions with the wireless devices, and transmit business-related content to the wireless devices while they are within range of the wireless access point of the business.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed that synchronize call feature data between an IMS network and a legacy network, such as a cellular network. An IMS subscriber server (e.g., a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)) is notified of changes to feature data for a call feature (e.g., call forwarding, call waiting, etc) in the IMS network. Responsive to the notification, the IMS subscriber server updates a legacy subscriber server (e.g., a Home Location Register (HLR)) in the legacy network based on the change to the feature data. Similarly, the IMS subscriber server identifies changes to feature data for a call feature in the legacy network. Responsive to the change, the IMS subscriber server notifies one or more application servers in the IMS network of the change to the feature data. Through the IMS subscriber server, feature data for call features is synchronized between the IMS network and the legacy network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling access to online personal information in an online search. In one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for controlling access to personal information in an online search. The method comprises receiving a search term regarding an individual from a device. The method further comprises identifying privacy criteria indicating personal information regarding the individual to be excluded from the online search. The method further comprises performing the online search based on the search term and the privacy criteria to generate filtered search results that exclude the personal information of the individual indicated by the privacy criteria, and providing the filtered search results to the device.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an anonymous call redirection service for wireless service subscribers by implementing service logic within the wireless network to intercept incoming calls for which no calling name or number is available and redirect the calls to an intelligent peripheral device for further processing. In one embodiment, anonymous calls are directed to an intelligent peripheral such as a network-based recording device, which records the caller's name and then repeats or plays this name to the called party, before the call is connected to allow the called party to accept or reject the call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing cable TV a la carte service, wherein customers only pay for programs actually presented to their TV monitors. Customers are provided with keys for unscrambling TV signals from any channel provided by a service provider. The customers signal to the service provider the identification of a channel being provided to their monitor whenever they turn on their TV. The service provider uses the record of times and channels to perform charging for the customer. Advantageously, customers need not pay for programs not presented to their monitors.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for providing charging for offnet sessions between an IMS network and a legacy network. The IMS network generates a charging ID for the session and includes the charging ID in charging records that are generated for the session. The IMS network also transmits the charging ID to the legacy network in the signaling transmitted from the IMS network to the legacy network for the session. The legacy network receives the charging ID from the IMS network, and includes the charging ID in a charging record generated for the session. The billing system can then correlate charging records generated by the IMS network for the session with a charging record generated by the legacy network for the session based on the charging ID included in the charging records.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing customized cost allocations for telecommunications session in an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. A Home Subscriber Service stores data describing the policies and rules for allocating charges requested by a particular customer. The charge message sent to charge control system is the product of the charges for the telecommunications session and the policies and rules for allocating charges. Advantageously, this arrangement permits each customer to specify a preferred charge allocation arrangement.

Abstract: Communication networks and associated methods are disclosed that provide a content sharing service through multimedia ringback tones. The communication network comprises a network node and a multimedia ringback system. The network node receives a call from a calling party to a subscriber of the content sharing service, and routes the call to the multimedia ringback system. The multimedia ringback system identifies a multimedia ringback tone for the call where the multimedia ringback tone includes a message prompting the calling party to share content of the subscriber, and provides the multimedia ringback tone to the calling party. The multimedia ringback system then receives a request for the content indicated in the multimedia ringback tone from the calling party, and initiates the transfer of the content to the calling party responsive to the request.