Abstract: By providing a method for acquiring consumer data without user interaction, such as analyzing CDRs to identify consumers of businesses, for example, advertisers may more accurately target advertisements to users that are more likely to find the advertisements useful or relevant. CDRs may be utilized to identify specific callers or households who have called a particular or type of business, a concentration above a certain interest level who call certain businesses, or any other information indicative of interest in a topic, candidate, business, or similar entity that would benefit from advertising. One embodiment includes a system and method for providing targeted advertisements. In this embodiment, a processor may be configured to capture call record data of customers of telecommunications services. The processor may further be configured to process the call record data to determine categories of interest of the customers.

Abstract: In a communication terminal apparatus having a telephone function, an information communication mode function and a transmission history display function, when transmission based on a telephone number described in an electronic information content such as an electronic mail, a website or the like is performed, the electronic information content is stored in a memory. Then, when a transmission history is displayed, the electronic information content is displayed in addition to transmission information by user handling. Thus, even if the transmission is performed while the electronic information content is being browsed, a user can know how situation the displayed transmission history is transmitted from.

Abstract: Embodiments for monitoring a network are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes collecting data containing information on usage of a network by subscribers. The method further aggregates the data for a first type of usage-based function. Further, the method, simultaneously with the aggregating of the data, samples the data for a second, different type of usage-based function. In other embodiments, systems and machine readable media for monitoring usage of a network are also provided that provide simultaneous generation of data sets for first and second usage-based functions.

Abstract: A system for generating usage statistics for a communications routing system from data generated at routing points and at end points of the system has a processor having access to the communications routing system for analyzing the data and generating the statistics, and a server having access to the processor for rendering the generated statistics into a format for display. The data used to generate the statistics includes routing path information for events routed through the communications routing system and optionally interaction histories recorded at certain routing points and end points in the communications routing system.

Abstract: The system and method identify a plurality of call flow events in a call analysis system. Call statistics are associated with the call flow events. The call flow events are organized into event groups each containing a plurality of call flow events. Once an event group is selected, call statistics for the events of the event group are displayed. In addition, the system and method allow for selection of individual call flow events in order to display calls associated with the events.

Abstract: A methodology for optimizing the access charges paid by a long distance carrier involves the use of a “sizing” operation to determine the optimal balance between direct trunks and access tandems (on a per LATA basis) so as to provide minimal access charges. Once the sizing has been completed, a mixed integer program is used to find the optimal MUX assignments for each LATA. The sizing operation is then re-visited, based on the MUX assignments, to determine if adjustments are required to reduce costs. Any changes in the sizing are then reviewed in the MUX assignment mixed integer program. The end result is a definition of the quantity of direct trunks, access tandem trunks and overflow minutes-of-use charges for each end office, as well as the number of high capacity facilities required for each MUX.

Abstract: A system for generating usage statistics for a communications routing system from data generated at routing points and at end points of the system has a processor having access to the communications routing system for analyzing the data and generating the statistics, and a server having access to the processor for rendering the generated statistics into a format for display. The data used to generate the statistics includes routing path information for events routed through the communications routing system and optionally interaction histories recorded at certain routing points and end points in the communications routing system.

Abstract: A communications device apparatus and method is detailed that allows for improved system statistics gathering of network communication links, dataports, and system status. The improved communications device apparatus and method utilizes a relative time reference or clock for the determination of the starting and ending of system statistics gathering time periods. Thus allowing for the contiguous gathering of system statistics without errors or gaps caused by time changes made to an absolute time reference.

Abstract: A method for tracing communications includes receiving trace criteria from a first remote element and determining whether a call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method includes attaching a trace tag to the call signaling message, if the call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method further includes transmitting the call signaling message to a second remote element.

Abstract: A system is provided for reporting call data related to a telecommunications service. The system includes a network element, such as a service control point, that generates billing records. The network element populates a base module with standard data and also populates a local use module, appended to the base module, with call data required for reports associated with the telecommunication service. The system also includes a report generating system that receives the base record and appended local use module and generates reports based upon the call data stored in the base module and the appended local use module.

Abstract: Technology that implements an integrated and automated process for delivery of low cost web based telephone management services, as an outsourced solution in the arena of voice management. The services are provided via the internet, from a web site, after installation in the customer premises the service can be rendered in all respects remotely and is automated to a high degree. This economises on costs and allows a high grade service previously only available to the upper end of the market to be available to essentially all segments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a user interface for communicating line usage information. The user interface includes means for requesting type of report of line usage information and means for requesting report criteria. The user interface further includes means for displaying a line usage report based on the report criteria and requested type of report. The present invention also relates to a method for communicating line usage information to a user is described. The method: prompts a user to enter a type of report of line usage information and to enter report criteria. The method then displays a corresponding line usage report.

Abstract: A method of sizing a communication link comprises: determining daily peak callers and daily calling time for plurality of days; determining a sizing factor that represents a slope of a line formed by plotting the daily peak callers against the daily calling time for the plurality of days; determining peak day calling time; multiplying the peak day calling time by the sizing factor to obtain peak day peak callers; determining a bandwidth per caller; multiplying the peak day peak callers by the bandwidth per caller to determine peak day peak bandwidth; and sizing the communication link to support the peak day peak bandwidth.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for logging calls according to call context are provided. A context for a call is detected, where the context include information such as the parties to a call, whether a backup party is accessed, where the call is on behalf of another, the locations of the parties to the call, the subject matter of the call, tariffs applied during the call, billing for telephone services accessed during the call, and orders placed during the call. At least one context based logging request valid for the context for the call is accessed from among multiple context based logging requests stored for multiple parties. Parties requesting logging may include parties to the call, on behalf of parties, third parties, and guardians. The context is logged according to the context based logging request.

Abstract: A method for measuring network performance parity includes the steps of computing a call completion ratio for at least one network provider, and determining whether the call completion ratio passes a first test. These steps may further include computing a first call completion ratio for a first network provider, a second call completion ratio for a second network provider, a difference between the first call completion ratio and the second call completion ratio, and a variance for the difference. The method also includes the step of assessing whether a second test is determinate if the call completion ratio does not pass the first test, by determining whether the variance is greater than a variance cutoff. In addition, the method includes the step of assessing whether a call completion ratio passes the second test, if the second test is determinate, by determining whether the difference is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: A computer-assisted system and method for auditing a communications bill wherein billing information is collected, reformatted and stored for use in a set of automated audits. The system and method for auditing a communications bill further collects data from other external systems such as a work order system, a trouble ticket system, an inventory system, an AMA/SMDR data source, an SS7 event record data source, or another source of call records or billing records. The data collected is used in a set of automated audits to determine if the communications bills contain errors. The system and method will further perform historical audits, and generate and manage the billing dispute process. The system and method will further provide audit reports and interface to an accounts payable system.

Abstract: A system including a first client data collection device, a host server, and a host user interface. The first client data collection device can store traffic data relating to a first call market of the first client data collection device. The host server can receive the traffic data, parse the traffic data according to settings of the first client data collection device, and evaluate the parsed traffic data based on historical data corresponding to the first client data collection device. The host user interface can receive the evaluated data for displaying the health of the call market.

Abstract: The present invention uses a software program to analyze all of the SS7 message traffic in a telephone network. By comparing point codes in the message data, the present invention can detect invalid and undesirable network inefficiencies in different types of telephone networks, including for example, wireline, wireless, or hybrid networks.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing a usage pattern for a customer of an intelligently-switched telecommunications system. The usage pattern provides historical information concerning the customer's use of the telecommunications system. One embodiment includes communicating either with the telecommunications system or with a data network and receiving a query for the customer's usage pattern. The query could originate from the customer using a computer device operating on the data network or from the customer using a telephonic/wireless device operating on the telecommunications system. The usage pattern is acquired from either a service control point operating on the telecommunications system or a database operating on the data network. The usage pattern is then communicated to the customer along either the data network or the telecommunications system, whereby the customer uses the computer device, or the telephonic/wireless device, to access the usage pattern.

Abstract: A method employs call detail records for developing a report on the usage of VoIP calling along a network path or through a network location. By utilizing, for example, a call-beginning record and a call-ending record for each connection, a report is created of the number of concurrent VoIP calls that a specified equipment or network path carries at any given instance by retrieving batches of stored call detail records, culling the records that are relevant to the specified equipment or network path, considering the culled records in a time sorted manner, and incrementing or decrementing a counter based on whether a considered record is a call-beginning record or a call-ending record, respectively. The state of the counter is reported, illustratively, as a line entry each time the counter's state is modified.

Abstract: A method for tracing communications includes receiving trace criteria from a first remote element and determining whether a call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method includes attaching a trace tag to the call signaling message, if the call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method further includes transmitting the call signaling message to a second remote element.

Abstract: A network includes a space chattering mechanism for maximizing server throughput under overload conditions. The server provides control messages to various network traffic sources, which can require differing control instructions.

Abstract: A communications device apparatus and method is detailed that allows for improved system statistics gathering of network communication links, dataports, and system status. The improved communications device apparatus and method utilizes a relative time reference or clock for the determination of the starting and ending of system statistics gathering time periods. Thus allowing for the contiguous gathering of system statistics without errors or gaps caused by time changes made to an absolute time reference.

Abstract: A system and method for processing traffic study requests in a communications network. The system provides a log-in window for a user identification validation. If a user is an authorized user of the system, the system provides a window for displaying a CPNI disclaimer. The system provides a new order request window for receiving customer information and input parameters. The system provides a new study request window for receiving a telephone number to be studied. Once the traffic study is completed, the system receives a report of the traffic study. The system then forwards the report to the user.

Abstract: In recent times, communications service providers have been able to offer large business enterprises the ability to share call center operation among multiple geographically dispersed call centers. In particular, network-resident call handling technologies have been developed for performing some of the handling and queuing of each inbound call within the communications network, that is, before the call is forwarded to an ACD at a particular call center. However, by outsourcing a portion of the call center operations to a network-based call routing system, the call centers are no longer able to maintain direct control over, and are generally unable to directly access information, such as statistics, about the calls in the network or other call centers. Accordingly, an interface is provided that allows an entity to obtain information about calls within the network or other call center(s).

Abstract: A system for identifying calls traversing a packet network. The system includes an analysis device that receives first signaling information from a packet network and second signaling information from a circuit network. The analysis device correlates the first signaling information with the second signaling information to generate correlated records about calls that traverse both the packet switched network and the circuit network. A database system receives the correlated records and calculates statistics describing traffic that traversed both the packet network and the circuit network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing operational information regarding a networked system. System configuration information regarding the configuration of the system is obtained. Activity of the system is continuously monitored to obtain system activity information. The system configuration information is combined with the system activity information to obtain real time operational information.

Abstract: A method for tracing communications includes receiving trace criteria from a first remote element and determining whether a call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method includes attaching a trace tag to the call signaling message, if the call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method further includes transmitting the call signaling message to a second remote element.

Abstract: A method for tracing communications includes receiving trace criteria from a first remote element and determining whether a call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method includes attaching a trace tag to the call signaling message, if the call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method further includes transmitting the call signaling message to a second remote element.

Abstract: A method for detecting an atypical occurrence, such as a public health crisis, within a given region in a telecommunications network. The method includes assigning a given weight to each of a plurality of destination addresses within the region according to a weighting system, collecting call data for the region for a given period of time, where the call data includes destination addresses and corresponding call occurrence times, developing a weighted call traffic pattern based upon the call data, and using the weighted call traffic pattern to detect an atypical occurrence within the region.

Abstract: A cross-connect switch (16) for implementing local number portability between a current local service provider originating switch (14) and a desired local service provider ported switch (18). The cross-connect switch (16) is connected in a line associated with a subscriber's directory number between the originating switch (14) and a main distribution frame (12) to establish a first active communication channel. The cross-connect switch (16) is also connected in-line between the ported switch (18) and the main distribution frame (12) to establish a second inactive communication channel. The cross-connect switch (16) is signaled to automatically deactivate the first communication channel and activate the second communication channel thereby routing communications associated with said subscriber's directory number to the ported switch (18).

Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.

Abstract: A method determines a threshold for increasing telephone line capacity in a telecommunications system. The method includes receiving a group of parameters that relate to at least one of a telephone line management policy (1030), environmental parameters (1020), and cost parameters (1010) and determining the threshold based on the received parameters.

Abstract: The present invention involves obtaining telecommunications data of a business entity from its communications vendors and providing that business entity with aggregated telecommunications data. After obtaining from multiple vendors both the detailed information of a business entity's telecommunications assets and usage of network services and/or the accompanying costs for those assets and services, the present invention aggregates the detailed information for telecommunications asset management and analysis purposes and provides the business entity with the aggregated information, for example by database or through a network interface.

Abstract: To extract part of a large volume of traffic and adjust the total volume of traffic dynamically. When a communication request is originated from a telecommunications apparatus, a communications control unit makes an inquiry to a service control unit. The service control unit screens originators based on originators' attribute information in its possession and service contract information. Then, based on the results of screening, it sends back to the communications control unit instructions to reroute subsequent calls. The communications control unit connects to the information processing unit based on the reply from the service control unit and transfers information. Thus, only the communication requests which satisfy predetermined criteria are connected. The information processing unit compiles statistics on the transferred information based on attribute information in its possession. The statistics are transferred to the information providing unit and to the information processing unit.

Abstract: A traffic and capacity modeling process for a telephone network includes accessing one or more call processing platforms, copying call detail records to a database, aggregating selected sets of call parameters from the records for each dialed number by hour, date, and platform, storing the aggregated sets of call parameters in tables, and analyzing the data in the tables. The analysis of the data includes plotting the data to detect peaks of usage of the dialed numbers to thereby assess the adequacy of available telephone lines and staffing of the lines by the network customers.

Abstract: In recent times, communications service providers have been able to offer large business enterprises the ability to share call center operation among multiple geographically dispersed call centers. In particular, network-resident call handling technologies have been developed for performing some of the handling and queuing of each inbound call within the communications network, that is, before the call is forwarded to an ACD at a particular call center. However, by outsourcing a portion of the call center operations to a network-based call routing system, the call centers are no longer able to maintain direct control over, and are generally unable to directly access information, such as statistics, about the calls in the network or other call centers. Accordingly, an interface is provided that allows an entity to obtain information about calls within the network or other call center(s).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for estimating the grade of service (52) and offered traffic (51) for voice over internet protocol calls at a gateway (2) bridging calls between a public switched telephone network (3) and an internet protocol network (4), the gateway (2) having a dial-control management information base. The method comprises the steps of periodically polling the dial-control management information base for dial peer traffic statistics (44), storing the polled data, estimating the carried traffic using the polled data (501), estimating the grade of service (52) by utilizing the Erlang-B formula in an inverse manner (502), operating on the estimated carried traffic obtained in the first estimating step (501), and estimating the offered traffic (51) using the estimated values for the carried traffic and the grade of service (52) obtained in the previous estimation steps (503). In a second embodiment of the invention, a system (FIG.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting intrusion events, such as war dialing events are disclosed. According to one method, signaling messages associated with calls being made or attempted in a telecommunications network are analyzed. Based on the signaling messages, it is determined whether a war dialing event has occurred or is in progress. In response to determining that a war dialing event has occurred or is in progress, a war dialing event mitigating action is performed.

Abstract: A network includes a space chattering mechanism for maximizing server throughput under overload conditions. The server provides control messages to various network traffic sources, which can require differing control instructions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to assessing the viability of a business entity based on statistics concerning information assistance calls requesting the listing of the same. The invention is premised upon a perceived correlation between the number of calls requesting a business entity's listing and the callers' interest in its products or services, which in turn correlates to sales of the business entity. In accordance with the invention, data is collected and analyzed which concerns information assistance calls requesting listings of different business entities which may belong to the same industry or company to measure their comparative performance. In an illustrative embodiment, the performance measure of the business entity (department) may be compared with those of other business entities (departments) in the same geographic area belonging to the same industry to gain insights into the competitiveness of the business entity in that area.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of invalid and undesirable conditions associated with a telephone network. The invalid and undesirable conditions can include, for example, call looping, misrouting, mass calling, and excessive redialing. Initial Address Messages associated with SS7 protocols are captured, parsed, and analyzed for detection of these conditions. A system in accordance with the present invention can be a device external to a switch that generate the messages. Alternatively, a microprocessor of the switch can be adapted to execute instruction sets disclosed in the present invention.

Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.

Abstract: A method employs call detail records for developing a report on the usage of VoIP calling along a network path or through a network location. By utilizing, for example, a call-beginning record and a call-ending record for each connection, a report is created of the number of concurrent VoIP calls that a specified equipment or network path carries at any given instance by retrieving batches of stored call detail records, culling the records that are relevant to the specified equipment or network path, considering the culled records in a time sorted manner, and incrementing or decrementing a counter based on whether a considered record is a call-beginning record or a call-ending record, respectively. The state of the counter is reported, illustratively, as a line entry each time the counter's state is modified.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing a usage pattern for a customer of an intelligently-switched telecommunications system. The usage pattern provides historical information concerning the customer's use of the telecommunications system. One embodiment includes communicating either with the telecommunications system or with a data network and receiving a query for the customer's usage pattern. The query could originate from the customer using a computer device operating on the data network or from the customer using a telephonic/wireless device operating on the telecommunications system. The usage pattern is acquired from either a service control point operating on the telecommunications system or a database operating on the data network. The usage pattern is then communicated to the customer along either the data network or the telecommunications system, whereby the customer uses the computer device, or the telephonic/wireless device, to access the usage pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus identifies the status of a system by determining average queue waiting periods of commands in one or more queues, and identifying the trend of average queue waiting periods over time.

Abstract: Methods to correlate call data records in a telephone or other communication system. A combination of parameter values in the data records and timestamps associated with some of the parameters can be used for such correlation. The information available within a single call record has limitations due to the fact that critical routing information may be (a) missing or (b) incorrect. Correlation of call detail records obtained from various communication segments provides the ability to mutually enrich the records so as to increase billing accuracy, as well as to enhance the detection of call mis-routing and perform traffic analysis.

Abstract: A call detail record (CDR) management tool is used to calculate statistics using data in one or more CDRs, view data in one or more CDRs and extract one or more CDRs. The CDRs are generated by a switch and stored in a raw binary format. The raw CDRs are converted from a raw format to a generic format to facilitate the management tool's operations. Statistics include any statistic that can be calculated from telephone call data stored in the CDRs. The viewer allows viewing and storage of one or more fields of CDR data. The extraction tool can store extracted CDRs in raw format or generic format.

Abstract: In recent times, communications service providers have been able to offer large business enterprises the ability to share call center operation among multiple geographically dispersed call centers. In particular, network-resident call handling technologies have been developed for performing some of the handling and queuing of each inbound call within the communications network, that is, before the call is forwarded to an ACD at a particular call center. However, by outsourcing a portion of the call center operations to a network-based call routing system, the call centers are no longer able to maintain direct control over, and are generally unable to directly access information, such as statistics, about the calls in the network or other call centers. Accordingly, an interface is provided that allows an entity to obtain information about calls within the network or other call center(s).

Abstract: A communication method for providing information in an intelligent network includes a step of entering by a user a connection number of the user terminal, a connection number of an information provider terminal and a time to receive the information providing service into a user database provided in a transmission layer, a step of reading the data registered in the user database into a service control database provided in the intelligent layer, a step of referring to the service control database to automatically connect the user terminal and the information provider terminal when a service start time is reached and automatically disconnect the connection therebetween when a service end time is reached.