Abstract: A system generates service-oriented call-charge data for at least one service in a communication network, the system having in at least one first area (charge metering domain), network elements for charge metering—metering points—and in at least one second area (charging domain), network elements for charging—charging points. The system has a policy function which controls both the metering points and the charging points by using predefined rules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detailed accounting of packet data are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, on receiving a duplicated HTTP request from a packet duplication apparatus, a billing apparatus extracts an access address to generate a first hash value. Then, on receiving a converted HTTP response from the packet duplication apparatus, the billing apparatus extracts a second hash value from the duplicated HTTP response to compare with the first hash value. If the first hash value and the second hash value are the same, the billing apparatus sets the HTTP REQUEST and the converted HTTP response as a transaction to generate billing data. Thus, the billing apparatus can generate accurate billing data.

Abstract: A method for implementing charging communication services is provided, wherein, the charging system includes a charging module and an expression analyzer; the charging module first determines a plurality of basic expression factors, and a user configures expressions based on the expression factors; the charging module reads a communication record, obtains the values of the expression factors by analyzing the communication record, and transmits the values of the expression factors to the expression analyzer; the expression analyzer performs the expression operation assigned with the expression factor values and finally returns the operation result to a charging module; and the charging module searches the corresponding charging rate according to the operation result and calculate the fee.

Abstract: A method and a system for dynamic tariffing and billing where tariffs of telecommunication services are adapted based on the usage of telecommunication services between members of a group account.

Abstract: Based on the urgency, the caller ads a priority tag number while making telephone calls. The called party receives the calls with different alarm features based on the urgency of the call. The called party can set profiles rules so that calls with a lower urgency may be blocked if inconvenient. The profile rules may be altered autonomously in various circumstances. In addition a new configuration of telephone instruments is disclosed, having special keys and different alarm features, for enabling prioritization in transmission and reception of calls.

Abstract: A method and system helps users capture billable time spent in writing an email and related tasks. A software program is provided that is integrated with an existing email program. The program tracks user time spent on each email and associates billing information with the spent time for use in a billing program.

Abstract: A general charging method includes establishing a charging strategy and performing the charging according to the charging strategy. The charging strategy includes at least one priority each of which includes at least one time period and each of the time periods is provided at least one rate segment in each of which there is at least one rate. Performing the charging includes: matching with a corresponding charging strategy upon the time a subscriber uses a service and/or the subscriber's current resource, and determining a charging mode; searching for a corresponding priority; performing the charging according to the charging mode. With such a structure of general charging strategy, the method can satisfy various charging demands and provide generality and adequate expansibility. Also, the method enables subscribers to configure different charging methods as necessary.

Abstract: A monetary account, such as a prepaid account or credit account, that is used as payment for purchases is divided into categories of purchased items. When a purchase is attempted, a request to apply the monetary account specifies the category of the item being purchased. Rules associated with each of the categories of the account are applied in response to the request to determine whether to approve or deny the purchase. Rules may vary from one category to the next. As one example, a rule may include a remaining monetary value of the category where a determination is made whether the cost of the item being purchased is no more than the remaining monetary value. As another example, a rule may include whether a time of the purchase matches an allowable time for the category of the item being purchased. Other examples include rules that allow for borrowing from one category for purchases from another, for specific allocations, and for event triggers to generate alarms.

Abstract: Traffic accounting and route customization of network services is described. According to one embodiment of the invention, a route customization server selects one or more network service providers to provide network services for one of a plurality of network users. The selection is based on a change request being provided by the one of the plurality of users. In another embodiment of the invention, a traffic accounting server provides billing information to the one of the plurality of users based on one or more media access control (MAC) addresses included in the network traffic of the one of the plurality of users.

Abstract: A method is provided for supporting a call record suppression feature in a telecommunications network (30). The method includes: handling a call for an end user terminal (10) served by a facility (20) of the telecommunications network (30); determining if the call record suppression feature is active for the end user terminal (10); processing a call record for the handled call if it is determined that the call record suppression feature is not active for the end user terminal (10); and, suppressing the processing of the call record if it is determined that the call record suppression feature is active for the end user terminal (10).

Abstract: According to one aim of the present invention there is provided a method, in a telecommunications network, of creating user-definable call handling functionality accessible by way of telephone call to a voice application, comprising: generating a call handling package comprising one or more conditions, and one or more call handling actions, allocating an identifier to the call handling package in such a way that when a call is placed to the voice application the allocated identifier is requested, and in response to receiving the allocated identifier the voice application handles the call in accordance with the call handling package associated with the identifier.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for processing billable activities. The system includes a scheduling component configured to support creation of a plurality of activity records. A sub-set of the activity records are designated as being associated with billable activity. The system also includes an accounting component for receiving information based on the sub-set of the activity records. The information is transmitted from the scheduling component to the accounting component.

Abstract: A system for reporting telecommunications system usage data related to a telecommunications service. The system includes a network controller that captures telecommunications service billing data and reporting data, and populates a base module with the billing data and a local use module with the reporting data. The system also includes a storage system that stores the base module and the appended local use module, and a reporting system that generates billing reports from the base module and various user-selectable reports from the appended local use module.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for global address verification of a transaction, such as a transaction card purchase. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system verifies a billing address and/or an alternate address (e.g., shipping address) in a single transaction. The billing address and/or the alternate address are associated with a transaction card purchaser. If the billing and/or alternate addresses are verified, then the transaction card issuer may offer a payment guarantee to the merchant. The merchant may choose to ship the purchased item to either a billing address or an alternate address. If the address is not verified, then the transaction card issuer may choose not to offer a payment guarantee to the merchant, and the merchant may choose not to ship the item to the alternate address.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementation of split charging in an Internet protocol multimedia subsystem, allowing subsystem users to negotiate at setup and at a modification of a session initiation protocol session which user will be charged for each multimedia component of the subsystem. A method includes transmitting a first message to a user equipment for initiating one of a multimedia call setup and a call modification, the first message including a split charging offer request and a first split charging ratio, and receiving a second message from the user equipment, the second message comprising a second split charging ratio.

Abstract: A method for realizing charging includes setting up mapping relation between service attribute and charging rule acquiring service attribute of the to-be-charged service when it is demanded to charge the to-be-charged service acquiring charging rule of the to-be-charged service according to service attribute of the to-be-charged service, and charging the to-be-charged service according to the acquired charging rule. Also disclosed is a charging system having an acquiring charging rule module and charging processing module. When it is demanded to develop new services or modify charging rules of original services, it can be fulfilled by modifying the service information provided for charging processing module accordingly, thus charging requirements of various services can be satisfied. Charging processing module of charging system is independent of services, so that cost of charging system is reduced, and stability, reliability and versatility of charging system are improved.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for creating a billing record with a called party's name. Providing the called party's name on the billing record facilitates the calling party's review of the billing record by reducing the amount of time and effort needed to determine the identity of the called parties. In addition to identifying fraudulent and misbilled calls, the called party's name allows a person reviewing the billing record to quickly identify long distance calls, quickly discern business from personal calls, and audit calls made from phone lines with multiple users (e.g., employees or kids). Additionally, the billing record reviewer saves time and money by avoiding the need to call directory assistance or a billing service to identify the calls.

Abstract: A processor readable medium embodying executable instructions to correct call detail records includes instructions to scan a received file including a plurality of call detail records to detect a file rejection condition, instructions to edit the received file to produce a modified file in response to detecting the file rejection condition, and instructions to forward the modified file to a downstream transaction record processing system.

Abstract: A method for determining charges in real time for value-added services in a telecommunication network, having an intelligent network structure, in which a caller selects a value-added service by dialing an associated destination number. This destination number is intercepted in an intelligent network element of the telecommunication network and is converted into a special access number for the value-added service. A connection is established between the intelligent network element and the value-added service provider through the use of this destination number. The value-added service provider transmits the applicable rate for the use of the requested value-added service to the mobile telephone network operator in the form of a new destination number for the requested value-added service. The new destination number is evaluated in the intelligent network element and a connection is established between the caller and the value-added service with the new destination number at the stated rate.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a message which can be sent from any suitable source for an appropriate message. The basic message includes a pin number, the desired telephone from which the caller intends to talk. This caller may intend his own cell-phone or another's cell phone or any other telephone to be the originating telephone. Included in the message is the destination telephone number. The message is sent to a service center which verifies the pin number and sets up to charge the pin associated pre-paid or open account. Upon verification, a switch is set with the destination telephone number in its switch calling memory. Upon setting up the switch for the call, a call is placed to the intended originating telephone. When that telephone is answered, the destination telephone number is called. The basic message may be an SMS, an e-mail or sent from a web-site which is provided for the service center. In the future, additional suitable sources may also available.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for division of revenue of communication among different proprietors is provided in this invention, where the division of revenue among the different proprietors is performed by a gateway office, wherein the gateway office will set a source parameter and a destination parameter respectively from the source and the destination when a call goes through the gateway office; Judge the two parameters to get a revenue zone index; Judge the value of the revenue zone index, and modulate the revenue zone index to get a revenue class index; The gateway office generates contents related to the revenue class index; A central memory receives all these contents, adds an increment of each counter of the revenue class memory related to the revenue class index to a corresponding counter and carries out multiple safety mechanisms; Output the information in the revenue class memory to a storage medium for storing, then output it to a billing center for revenue sorting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a system monitoring service to customers. The method may include identifying a new customer based on data received from a reseller, storing data pertaining to this customer in a database, and registering the customer with a system monitoring service. The method may further include tracking the usage of the system monitoring service by the customer, calculating a fee for the usage of the system monitoring service by the customer over a predefined time interval, and then generating a bill for the calculated fee that covers the predefined time interval, where interactions between the customer and the reseller terminate once the customer is registered with the system monitoring service.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for tracking mobile devices combining packet processing technology with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. A central network system comprising a packet processing subsystem receives transmitted GPS location data from a mobile device transmitting GPS location data, wherein the packet processing subsystem uses a table access scheme to process the GPS location data and produce responsive mapping data, and the central network processing system compares the mapping data to a map and identifies a corresponding map location. Embodiments may also correlate device identification data, tracking table entries, and/or billing zone charges. In some embodiments a look-up key is built responsive to the GPS location data and used to identify map locations. The table access scheme may be a key hashing scheme and, in particular, a longest prefix match type scheme.

Abstract: A system and method for management and processing a plurality of types of telecommunication invoices at a user's site involving importing the plurality of types of telecommunication invoices to provide comparable telecommunication invoices and auditing the comparable telecommunication invoices by performing an automated reasonability test on the comparable telecommunication invoices. The system and method also provide a means for approving, processing and reporting on the comparable telecommunication invoices.

Abstract: Provided is a billing method for telecommunication service based on fixed fee according to user's usage time. The method includes the steps of: estimating reference time according to user's usage time of the previous term; estimating guarantee time; reading user's usage time of this term; and billing telecommunication service fare according to the reference time and the guarantee time.

Abstract: A method of accounting for activities in a system comprising a telephone handset, including associating use of the telephone handset with a user, allowing the user to perform a call through use of the telephone handset without providing billing information relating to the call, communicating unbilled call information to at least one user computer associated with the user through a network, and prompting the user to input billing data relating to the unbilled call information at the at least one computer associated with the user.

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 transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.

Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.

Abstract: A method and a system for dynamic tariffing and billing where tariffs of telecommunication services are adapted based on the usage of telecommunication services between members of a group account.

Abstract: A method of monitoring, and a system to perform the method of monitoring, a mobile network, the method including generating detail records of information transactions in the mobile network; correlating dissimilar detail records from different ones of the monitoring points according to one or more common attributes of the dissimilar detail records, and aggregating at least a portion of the correlated detail records into a single group; and presenting the aggregated detail records in a high level presentation in a graphical user interface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect an identity of a caller; receive an assigned incoming telephone number; identify a recipient associated with the assigned incoming telephone number and the identity; and connect the caller and the recipient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to connect telephone calls and track information about the telephone calls resulting from advertisements for groups of advertisers. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining a geographic area after receiving a telephone call to a first telephone number publicized in an advertisement; determining a telephone number of a first advertiser; and connecting the telephone call to the telephone number of the first advertiser, the first advertiser billed for the advertisement based on telephonic connections made to connect the first advertiser and telephone calls to the first telephone number.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a wireless network includes receiving at a mobile device a signal having data indicative of a location of the mobile device. A determination is made whether the mobile device is within the coverage area of a specified network based on the data. The mobile device scans for the specified network in response to at least determining that it is within the coverage area of the specified network.

Abstract: Peer-A (101) broadcasts a Peer Lookup Query (107) to a Peer Discovery Service (PDS) (105). Peer-A (101) may receive a Peer Lookup Response (109) from any peer having the reachability information including a Time Stamp, and an Initial Sequence Number. Peer-A (101) may subsequently use the Time Stamp and Sequence Number to send session management and session media packets to Peer-B (103). Peer-A (101) and Peer-B (103) reciprocally store message identification including sequence number and timestamp in a local session record contained in a secure memory. At completion of the IP session, both Peer-A (101) and Peer-B (103) will dump the session records from their respective secure memories to a remote Session Log Database (115), via message (117) and message (119), respectively. The remote session DB consolidates the records and uses the temporal and causal relationships between the messages to resolve any data conflicts and recreate the complete session record.

Abstract: In a method for third party charging, a paying party sets its payment limit, verifying code, etc., and shares related information with a service requesting party; when accessing the service, the service requesting party inputs the related information, such as a third party charging access identifier, a paying party identifier, the verifying code, etc. A service application server determines whether the service is charged from a third party account; if yes, the service application server collects the third party charging information, such as the MSISDN of the paying party, the account information or the verifying code information, and sends the information to the charging system through a charging interface protocol; the charging system charges for the service from the third party account according to the information received. Another method for third party charging and a system for third party charging are also provided. Thus, flexible third party charging is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a general charging method applicable to a charging system in the communication field, comprising steps of establishing a charging strategy and performing the charging based upon the charging strategy. The charging strategy comprises a plurality of priorities each of which comprises a plurality of periods of time, and each of the periods of time corresponds to a type of rate segmentation and is provided a plurality of rate segments in each of which there are a plurality of rates. The step of performing the charging comprises steps of: searching for the highest priority in the charging strategy; searching for a corresponding period of time in the priority based upon the time a subscriber uses a service, and if found, performing the charging based upon the rate segments in the period of time; when the charging has been completed or the priorities have been searched through, and if there is any usage quantity that can't be charged, recording it and terminating the charging.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for replenishing call-use authorization to a mobile vehicle. A call-use authorization request is received from a user. User credit availability information is determined. A replenishment amount request is received from the user. Call-use authorization data is updated based on the credit availability information and the replenishment amount request. The updated call-use authorization data is sent to an in-vehicle communication device by using a dual-tone multiple frequency protocol.

Abstract: IMS gateway systems and methods are disclosed for providing online charging for IMS sessions. An IMS gateway system described herein operates based on a state machine to provide charging triggers and IMS session control. For one charging trigger, the IMS gateway system transmits an initial credit control request message to an online charging system (OCS) responsive to receiving a session initiation message from a first subscriber of a session. For another charging trigger, the IMS gateway system transmits an update credit control request message to the OCS responsive to receiving a session acceptance message from a second subscriber of the session. For another charging trigger, the IMS gateway system transmits a termination credit control request message to the OCS responsive to receiving a session termination message. The IMS gateway system may trigger on other session control messages or charging messages from the OCS to provide online charging.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a communication system is described, where the system comprises a first entity 2 for sending a first data object 21 to a terminal device 4 and a second entity 3 for sending a second data object to the terminal device at the request 41 of the terminal device 4. The communication system also comprises a data transfer entity 11 and a charging entity 5. The data transfer entity 11 records charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of the first data object. It is proposed that the second entity 3 is controlled to output a predetermined triggering message to the data transfer entity 11 and/or charging entity 5, where the operation of processing the charging relevant parameters in a charging procedure is postponed until the predetermined message is received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a rate model (115) for use in determining a rate to be applied with respect to an instance of a product or service, system or process. The rate may relate for example to utilisation of a resource, for example to a charging rate to be applied with respect to use of a product or service. The rate model comprises: (i) data (205, 210) defining a rating space having at least one dimension defined by an attribute of the system, process, product or service; (ii) a rating vector definition comprising at least one rate parameter; and (iii) data (225, 230) which defines distinct regions in the rating space over which the defined rating vector is invariant, and which defines the respective invariant rating vector (235) for each distinct region (225, 230).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a communication system for the current calculation of fees for a user of the telecommunication system. The present system includes a fee calculation station which is adapted to calculation the fees in accordance with a clocking and a fee rate associated with a predetermined service depending upon the period of use of the service.

Abstract: A network device has the capability of monitoring voice over data networks calls. The network device includes a voice activity detector that detects voice activity on a voice channel. If no voice activity is detected, the network device disconnects the call. The network device may optionally provide a user interactive feature that allows a user to prevent the call from being disconnected.

Abstract: A method that provides improved invoice validation in a wireless telecommunication system comprises receiving billing input data for a circuit and indicating a discrepancy if a billed amount and a calculated amount differ by greater than a threshold amount, the billing input data including the billed amount. In addition the method includes indicating billing parameters used to create the calculated amount.

Abstract: A system and method that enables a telecommunications consumer to define groups to be included in a monthly bill, and then periodically generate a bill in accordance with the consumer's specifications. In one embodiment, the invention includes a plurality of portable wireless telephone stations; a plurality of wired telephone stations; a plurality of local exchange carriers (LECs); at least one mobile switching center (MSC) and at least one mobile base antenna tower. Each MSC, LEC and IXC is adapted to operate a program that allows a telecommunications consumer to define groups to be included in a monthly bill, and then periodically generate a bill in accordance with the consumer's specifications.

Abstract: A system for performing skip tracing provides a first user interface including an area for presenting at least one telephone number associated with account information of a customer retrieved from a mainframe computer system, a documentation area for inputting skip tracing results, a user interface control for indicating that a telephone number presented in the area is bad, wherein selection of the user interface control causes the documentation area to be populated with data indicating that the telephone number is bad, a second user interface control for indicating that a second telephone number presented in the area is good, wherein selection of the second user interface control causes the documentation area to be populated with data indicating that the second telephone number is good, and a third user interface control for causing data populating the documentation area to be recorded in a skip tracing data structure of the mainframe computer system and for causing display of a fourth user interface control

Abstract: An enhanced Calling Party Pays (CPP) or Paging Party Pays (PPP) system that enables 1) billing of calls originating from traditionally non-billable sources, 2) routing of incoming calls to voicemail if the caller does not wish to incur the additional charges, 3) allowing the caller to complete the call and charge the cellular (or paging) subscriber for additional air-time usage when the caller enters a PIN or security code, also referred to as a billing override code, and 4) allowing the caller to block CPP/PPP charges from being billed to the calling party

Abstract: A method of tracking personnel includes receiving incoming communications from the personnel via a telephone network from various locations and matching records of the incoming communications with phone company data generated after calls are completed for billing purposes so as to verify a location from which each incoming communication originated. A system of tracking personnel includes a system receiving incoming communications from the personnel via a telephone network from various locations and automatically matching records of the incoming communications with phone company data generated after calls are completed for billing purposes so as to verify a location from which each incoming communication originated.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a method of translating a RADIUS message to a Diameter message, an access request message in RADIUS is translated to a credit control request message in Diameter. In one embodiment of a method of translating a Diameter message to a RADIUS message, a credit control answer message is translated to an access accept message.

Abstract: A terminal A which is an owner of contents transmits a request to share contents downloaded from a contents provider with terminals B and C to an Application Service Provider (ASP). The ASP obtains permission that a license can be shared from the contents provider, and notifies the terminal A of the information. The ASP calls the terminals B and C and provides the license for them.