Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling VoIP service providers to dynamically adjust international calling rates as a function of adjustments made with partner carrier arrangements that VoIP service providers put in place are disclosed. Thus VoIP service providers can pass on savings, if the new calling rate is lower than the old calling rate, to their subscribers in order to enhance the loyalty of existing subscribers. Instead of having subscribers to call into customer service centers to take advantage of these new lower international calling rates, the new calling rates will be updated dynamically and immediately for subscribers without these subscribers having to call in to request their billing rates to match the new calling rates.

Abstract: A system for determining a communication charge comprising a charging equation determiner, an inflection point determiner, and a charge determiner. The charging equation determiner for determining a charging equation based at least in part on a normalized set of inputs. The inflection point determiner for determining an inflection point based at least in part on a charging structure database. The charge determiner for determining a communication charge based at least in part on the charging equation and the inflection point.

Abstract: Service provisioning tasks can be performed to provision or deprovision services for users, reconcile overlapping services, and apply effective service properties. A service can be provisioned by receiving a request to provision the service for a user, reconciling new service properties with current service properties, from one or more service instances, to determine effective service properties, and applying the effective service properties as properties to use for the service for the user. A service can also be provisioned by receiving a request to provision the service for a user, storing a new service instance, and reconciling the new service instance with one or more previously stored service instances for the same service to determine effective service properties. A service provisioning system can perform provisioning operations for one or more internal and external service providers.

Abstract: Presenting data received from service providers includes receiving billing data from each of the service providers and formatting, by at least one processor, the billing data in a standardized format. A single bill that consolidates the billing data in the standardized format for each of the service providers, and displays the billing data in the standardized format according to a user-defined organizational relationship for a billed entity, is outputted.

Abstract: Prepaid services include associating a plurality of users with a prepaid services account. The account is configured to track a prepaid balance associated with the account as well as to allow at least a subset of the plurality of users associated with the account to draw down the prepaid balance at least generally at the same time. Drawing down the prepaid balance includes allocating a portion of the prepaid balance to each respective user, monitoring a provision of service, and repeating, selectively, the allocating and monitoring.

Abstract: A method of operating a network server, for a network comprising a plurality of wireless mobile routers is provided. Each mobile router comprises a wide area network wireless interface to access a cellular network provided by a predetermined cellular service provider and is operable to upload and download data via the cellular network. Each mobile router is operable to monitor the uploaded and downloaded data to generate usage. The method comprises: selectively coupling the server to the plurality of mobile routers via the cellular network; receiving from each of the mobile routers the corresponding usage data; operating the server to access billing data from the service provider for each mobile router; and comparing the usage data for each mobile router to corresponding billing data for each mobile router to determine if there is a billing discrepancy.

Abstract: A method of operating a network server for a network comprising a plurality of wireless mobile routers comprises: selectively coupling the server to a plurality of mobile routers via a cellular network; operating the server to access billing data from a predetermined carrier providing the cellular network for each of the mobile routers; receiving from each of the mobile routers corresponding usage statistical data; comparing the usage statistical data for each mobile router to corresponding billing data for each mobile router to determine if there is a billing discrepancy.

Abstract: A system and method for profitably operating communications services may include providing a service plan inclusive of at least a portion of the communications services being unlimited for a user. A computing system may collect usage data of the user during a time period associated with the unlimited portion of the service plan. The computing system may determine whether the usage data is indicative of the user using the communications services in violation of service terms and conditions associated with the unlimited portion of the service plan. The computing system may perform an action in response to determining that the user is in violation of the terms and conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing enhanced telecommunications services are provided. Example embodiments provide a Enhanced Telecommunications System ETS, which provides less expensive calling and other services by initiating telephone requests using data request packets. In one embodiment, the ETS comprises a client communications device with client code, an ETS portal, an API server, one or more PABX servers, and various billing, payment, and accounting systems. Other systems, such as quality assurance and logging systems may also be available. These components cooperate to provide various telecommunications services. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The present invention is a graphical interface for predetermining the means by which incoming telephone calls are directed. Buttons on a telephone keypad are assigned to particular professionals who determine the method by which they wish to receive the incoming call. The incoming calls can be tagged to be automatically billed, recorded, or both.

Abstract: A system and method for providing wireline telephone services may include providing wireline telephone service to a residence for a customer to place telephone calls. In response to receiving an activate code, the wireline telephone service may be activated. In response to receiving a deactivate code, the wireline telephone service may be deactivated. The customer may be billed for the wireline telephone service. In one embodiment, the customer is billed a premium service charge when the wireline telephone service is active and a lower service charge when the wireline telephone service is inactive.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring and reporting prepaid service usage are provided. More particularly, monitoring and reporting packet data session usage for purposes of charging for service usage are provided. In some embodiments, layer-3 data packet monitoring is used to determine usage. In other embodiments, the start and end of a packet data session are used to determine usage. The usage can be determined from the duration of the packet data session or from the size or amount of packets sent and received by a mobile node.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for implementing mobile device-based bandwidth throttling. In one aspect, a method includes receiving policy from a wireless carrier that specifies one or more data usage thresholds allotted by the wireless carrier for data transferred over a wireless carrier network during a predetermined period of time, determining an amount of data that has been transferred by the mobile device over the wireless carrier network during the predetermined period of time, determining that the amount exceeds one or more of the data usage thresholds, and throttling the bandwidth of a mobile device over the wireless carrier network based on determining that the amount exceeds one or more of the data usage thresholds.

Abstract: A revenue management system for telecommunication systems is disclosed. The revenue management system can have multiple integrated modules. The modules can include a revenue generation module, a revenue capture module, a revenue collection module, a revenue intelligence module, and others. The revenue management system can also be configured to simultaneously manage revenue for prepaid, postpaid, now-paid payment models.

Abstract: A method and a system for the management of telecommunication services provided by an operator to users and of telecommunication services, the method comprising: assigning a subscriber network identifier (IS) to each subscribed user; monitoring inbound communications toward the subscriber network identifiers (IS) assigned to subscribed users; creating, by virtue of means for creating and managing virtual accounts, a virtual account (CV) registered to each network identifier originating communications (IC); informing, by virtue of information means, at least the user or of telecommunication services who originates the communication toward the subscriber network identifier (IS) and/or the registrant of the network identifier originating communications (IC) of the existence and/or balance of the virtual account (CV). The telecommunication service management system comprises means for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method for paying back customers for unused service units remaining after a billing cycle. A payback amount is determined by the product of the number of unused service units remaining and the payback rate amount. The payback amount credited to the customer is the calculated payback rate or a maximum payback amount, wherever is smaller. A total payback amount can be determined based on a combination of payback amounts for various services, including voice services, texting services, email services, and/or data storage services.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for identifying an optimized rating scheme. In use, a first rate calculated for an event utilizing a first predefined rating scheme is received. Additionally, at least one second rate for the event is calculated, utilizing at least one second predefined rating scheme. Further, an optimized rating scheme is identified by comparing the first rate and the at least one second rate.

Abstract: A method and system for billing a calling party for an unanswered call attempt is provided. A first network component receives a call attempt from the calling party and routes the call attempt to a second network component for establishing a communications link between the calling party and a called party. The second network component redirects the call attempt unanswered by the called party to the voice server. A billing management application, provided for managing the billing of the calling party, detects the redirection of the call attempt and indicates to the first network component to disable billing the calling party for the unanswered call attempt. The billing management application, in communication with the voice server, initiates billing of the calling party based on billing criteria, via the second network component instead of the first network component, for utilizing one or more services provided by the voice server.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to connect people for real time communications to access diverse categories of information. One embodiment includes; storing data representing a privilege of a user during a predetermined period of time; responsive to a first request made via a presentation of a listing of the first entity for a service of the first entity, establishing a connection for real time communications between the user and the first entity to deliver the service of the first entity, if the user has the privilege at a time of the first request; and responsive to a second request made via a presentation of a listing of the second entity for a service of the second entity, establishing a connection for real time communications between the user and the second entity to deliver the service of the second entity, if the user has the privilege at a time of the second request.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed of assisting a user of a telephone device to manage their account with a telephone service provider. The method includes a step of displaying to the user a graphical display of current charges on their account together with an indicia indicating a spending limit associated with the account. The graphical display is designed such that the proximity of the sum of the current charges to the spending limit is displayed. The method further includes providing a display feature whereby the user can change the display to further display the current charges for the account, in addition to a charge for service by the telephone service provider which has not yet been incurred, such as for example the next monthly service charge. The graphical display of the spending limit gauge can take a variety of forms, such as bar graphics, or pie-chart. In one embodiment, the displays are presented on the display of a wireless telephone.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for dynamically altering a rating based on network conditions. In operation, at least one aspect of a condition of a network is identified. Furthermore, a rating in association with an event is dynamically altered, based on the at least one aspect of the condition of the network.

Abstract: A mobile-to-mobile payment method and system are presented. One or more payor messages are received at a payment server from a mobile device associated with a payor. The one or more payor messages include an identifier of a payee and an amount. The identifier of the payee is associated with a payee account, and the mobile device is associated with a payer account. The payment server executes a transfer of funds of the amount from the payor account to the payee account.

Abstract: A revenue management system for telecommunication systems is disclosed. The revenue management system can have multiple integrated modules. The modules can include a revenue generation module, a revenue capture module, a revenue collection module, a revenue intelligence module, and others. The revenue management system can also be configured to simultaneously manage revenue for prepaid, postpaid, now-paid payment models.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible selection of subscriber and account related data for charging purposes in a communication network. The subscriber account has at least one charging resource type which is instantiated into at least one charging resource of the charging resource type, and the charging resource is associated with at least one subscriber account. Initially, there is executed an analysis of a service data describing a service event and subscriber/subscriber group related data describing at least one subscriber account to which the service event is to be charged using a configurable analysis structure for generation of a charging resource matching key. The charging resource matching key describes what class of charging resource types could be used for charging the service event.

Abstract: Targeted content is provided to at least one communication device responsive to a notification of a missed communication. Responsive to a notification of the missed communication, a selection of one of a plurality of different pricing options is received for a return communication. Targeted content is provided, in addition to content of the return communication, based on the selected pricing option.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for re-rating events, in use, a plurality of events associated with at least one customer is rated. Additionally, at least one of the events associated with the customer(s) is re-rated, in parallel with the rating.

Abstract: The invention of present provides for a real-time authentication and billing gateway for WLAN traffic. Notably, the improved method for implementing a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) gateway system enables telecommunications network operators (and like entities) to rate and bill for services accessed by the wireless user. The logic of the invention supports and furthers the art in regards to advanced real-time rating/billing in addition to providing for a variety of replenishment mechanisms for casual users via pre-paid vouchers and credit cards.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for identifying billing discrepancies includes receiving billing data from a billing entity, the billing data including an assessed fee and call details associated with each of a plurality of calls made by a customer, identifying, based at least in part on the call details received from the billing data, rate information associated with the customer, generating an expected fee for each of the plurality of calls, and comparing, for each of the plurality of calls, the expected fee with the assessed fee to identify discrepancies.

Abstract: A communication system comprises network elements (103, 105, 107, 109) and user equipments (101), at least some of which comprise a charging proxy (205). The system further comprises a charging server (111) which includes a topic controller (305) for initializing charging topics where each charging topic is associable with charging data. The charging server (111) furthermore comprises functionality for registering proxies as subscribing proxies or publishing proxies (or both) for the different charging topics. A receiver (301, 311) receives charging data messages from charging proxies and validates a first set of charging data belonging to a first charging topic in response to a first set of charging proxies registered as publishing proxies for the first charging topic. A charging data transmitter (313) transmits the first set of charging data to a second set of charging proxies registered as subscribing proxies for the first charging topic.

Abstract: A method includes issuing a retrieval instruction, such as a database query, to retrieve from a database system a datum associated with a network circuit established outside of the United States. Upon receiving the datum from the database system, it is determined, based on the datum retrieved, whether the network circuit is incurring a charge. It is further determined, based on the datum retrieved, an amount of revenue generated by the network circuit. When the amount of revenue generated by the network circuit is below a predetermined threshold, a termination instruction to terminate a service associated with the network circuit is issued.

Abstract: A prepaid messaging solution that uses open networking standards and supports pre-payment of enhanced Internet messaging services. The prepaid messaging solution accurately determines if a subscriber has sufficient account balance to deliver a complete short message, prior to message delivery. Message delivery is prevented if insufficient funds are in the subscriber's account. A prepaid tariff engine, preferably extensible over a TCP/IP network, supports remote interaction with the SMSC and web chat servers to apply a real-time billing charge for each message. A service provider may create subscriber classes of service that define subscriber rates and/or tariffing plans used to apply real-time billing charges for sending/receiving messages. The prepaid short message tariff engine determines the appropriate message billing based upon, e.g., flat rate per message, character count, Time of Day, etc.

Abstract: In an example method of configuring an adaptive module for an offline charging system, a selection is received which selects one of a plurality of charging functions. In an example, the selection is received in response to a user prompt. In another example, the plurality of charging functions includes a charging data function (CDF), a charging gateway function (CGF), an integrated CDF/CGF without Ga interface support and an integrated CDF/CGF with Ga interface support. An adaptive module is configured to conform with the selected charging function. The adaptive module has the capacity to conform to any one of the plurality of charging functions. For example, the adaptive module includes a number of program modules and the configuring step selects which of the program modules are enabled and an order in which the enabled program modules are to be executed. The configured adaptive module is executed at a physical entity (e.g., a CDF, a CGF, etc.) within the offline charging system.

Abstract: This invention enables people from the at-home viewing or listening audience of any television or radio broadcast to talk with each other to discuss the program's content on the telephone at any time before, during or after a show. In addition to discussion forums based on broadcast and print media content, the system provides premium priced telephone access to people with specific expertise, e.g., sports stars, politicians and a host of other specialists. Income is earned on a per-minute or flat-rate basis and billed to the caller primarily via credit card or their phone bill. Revenue can be derived from the sale of advertisement, e.g., mentions of the sponsor over the telephone during the initial greeting and within conferences, as well as from the licensing of the service to media networks as a value added service.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating data packets over packet network owned by different communications carriers. Rate information may be stored in a first packet network for communicating data packets over at least two other packet networks. A determination over which of the at least two other packet networks to communicate data packets based on a lowest billing rate for communicating the data packets may be made. The data packets may be communicated over a packet network determined to have the lowest billing rate for communicating the data packets.

Abstract: A revenue management system for telecommunication systems is disclosed. The revenue management system can have multiple integrated modules. The modules can include a revenue generation module, a revenue capture module, a revenue collection module, a revenue intelligence module, and others. The revenue management system can also be configured to simultaneously manage revenue for prepaid, postpaid, now-paid payment models.

Abstract: Subscribers of a telephone service can define a calling circle, which includes a group of other telephone subscribers with whom the subscriber receives preferential billing rates. The members of the calling circle may include customers of a telephone service provider other than the subscriber's telephone service provider.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for receiving, at a server system of a social network and from a telephone service provider, information identifying members of a preferred calling group for a first user that is associated with the telephone provider. The sever system of the social network identifies the first user as a member of the social network. The server system of the social network identifies one or more of the members of the preferred calling group as being one or more members of the social network. The server system of the social network automatically defines a social network group that includes the one or more members of the preferred calling group who are members of the social network.

Abstract: A telecommunications toll network system employs a central database computer to provide routing and calling rate instructions to toll switches. To allow sponsors of pay services, such as 900 number information services, to control the kinds of calls they receive and the rates charged, the central database computer employs routing plans. These routing plans contain conditional branches selected based on data provided in a query from the originating toll switch (OTS) and sent to the database computer via common channel signaling (CCS). According to embodiments, sponsors can insert objects, called rate nodes, in their routing plans to override the default rate to be applied to the call. Rate nodes are non-branching elements inserted in a routing plan that specify a rate to be used for billing. The rate is specified on the automated message accounting (AMA) record and used by a billing platform to generate bills to the callers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of integrated billing management by real-time session management, and a computer readable medium thereof are provided. The integrated billing management apparatus performs billing management functions, that is, analyzes various messages related to the billing service request, manages sessions in real time, processes reliable billing information data and generates formulaic billing information. Then, the integrated billing management apparatus transmits the result of processing the billing service to the user terminal through the network access device. Therefore, the customer discontents can be responded in real time and customized billing management service based on the amount of service used can be provided form all wired and wireless network services.

Abstract: By coupling a rating engine with call processing, rating rules are generated that enable a flexible interface between call process and call rating without necessitating that fixed data be passed between them. The real time charging system (RCS) provides a process that creates a generic entity, called a bucket, and uses it to keep track of account information and/or to count types of usage. The bucket allows an operator to define accounts and usage counters and how they are used as part of the rating rules. Use of these buckets is defined in rating rules, thus turning control over subscriber account and usage counters to the network operator. Further, the RCS provides a calendar option for limiting times during which calls to general telephone numbers can be made or received.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for billing for service provided to destination device according to the calling plan of the individual receiving the call. An authenticated identity for a callee answering a call placed to a destination device is received at an intermediary device. The intermediary device then accesses a billing plan for the authenticated identity of the callee and loads the billing plan for specifying charges for the call, such that telephone service billed to the callee is accessible at multiple destination devices.

Abstract: Communication networks and associated methods and systems are disclosed that provide per-session dynamic charging caps. For a session, the communication network includes a network element adapted to serve the session, a charging system, and a subscriber server adapted to store charging criteria defined for a party to the session. In operation, the charging system receives one or more charging request messages from the network element. Responsive to a charging request message, the charging system identifies the charging criteria defined for the party as stored in the subscriber server, and determines a dynamic charging cap for the session based on the charging criteria. A charging cap is a limited or maximum amount of time and/or money that is charged for an individual session. The charging system then limits the charging for the session based on the dynamic charging cap.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for creating a personalized phone bill populated with names from a subscriber's personal address book on the subscriber's device. A billing application receives a request to generate a phone bill for a subscriber, and obtains usage data for that subscriber's device. In one embodiment, the billing application then sends a request to a translation server to search a network address book, which is synchronized with the personal address book on a subscriber's device, to match the usage data with the names from the network address book. The matched names are then transmitted from the translation server to the billing application, where the billing application includes the matched names in a usage section of the bill, thereby generating a personalized phone bill that a subscriber can more easily review and understand.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to updating routing patterns in an enterprise network. In some implementations, a method for routing sessions includes identifying information associated with call sessions in an enterprise network. The information includes costs to an enterprise for using carrier services during the call sessions. Routing patterns for call sessions are dynamically updated through at least a portion of the enterprise network based, at least in part, on the costs associated with the call sessions.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a prepaid call in a mobile telecommunications network wherein charges can be recovered for the call after the SCP and Prepaid Platform lose contact with the MSC or GMSC handling the call. A Trigger Detection Point known as “O-Disconnect” or “T-Disconnect” can be armed in a prepaid subscriber's HLR and can be triggered when the MSC/GMSC loses contact with the SCP. The MSC/GMSC can record the time that the TDP was triggered in memory. The MSC/GMSC can then monitor for call disconnect and record the disconnection time in memory. When the call is disconnected the MSC/GMSC can renew contact with the SCP. MSC/GMSC can identify the call using a unique call identifier and advise the SCP of the times at which contact was lost and the call was disconnected. The SCP can use this information to calculate a charge for the portion of the call that occurred after contact with the MSC/GMSC was lost so that the entire call can be charged in near real-time.

Abstract: This is a cell phone system that provides for use of a single phone for both business and personal calls. This system permits the user to extract personal calls from the system, thereby preserving the confidential nature of some of these personal calls without the business having to review them to determine allocation of costs to user and business.

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 digital notification and response system for digitally notifying customers of an utility. The system includes a plurality of user contact devices, an application programming interface, and a dynamic information database. Real time digital user data comprising bank identified grouping information for forming user groups, user contact device information for each contact device, and utility provided user contact device priority information is received by the application programming interface and stored in the dynamic information database. The user contact device priority information is used to form a first and second group of user contact devices. Messages are transmitted through at least two industry standard gateways to the user contact devices, wherein the messages are simultaneously transmitted to the first group of user contact devices before the second group of user contact devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing per call data measurement in an IMS network are provided. An IMS network adapted to provide per call measurement data comprises a plurality of network nodes serving a call for a subscriber adapted to monitor network performance to generate call measurement data for the call. The network nodes further generate charging information for the call and include the call measurement data in the charging information. The network nodes transmit the charging information to a charging system. The charging system is adapted to parse call measurement data from the charging information, and to transmit the call measurement data for the call to a network management system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling VoIP service providers to dynamically adjust international calling rates as a function of adjustments made with partner carrier arrangements that VoIP service providers put in place are disclosed. Thus VoIP service providers can pass on savings, if the new calling rate is lower than the old calling rate, to their subscribers in order to enhance the loyalty of existing subscribers. Instead of having subscribers to call into customer service centers to take advantage of these new lower international calling rates, the new calling rates will be updated dynamically and immediately for subscribers without these subscribers having to call in to request their billing rates to match the new calling rates.