Abstract: A method and device for preventing fraud in collect calls from a domestic origin point to an international terminating point through a long-distance telecommunications system is described. In the system and method, a Screening for International Calls database is added to the call processing platform. This Screening of International Calls database contains records keyed by country codes, and each record has a blocked collect call field listing destination numbers that are blocked from receiving collect calls. When a domestic-to-international collect call is made, the record corresponding to the country code of the international terminating point of the collect call is retrieved from the Screening for International Calls database. This record is checked to determine if the destination number of the collect call matches any destination numbers listed in the blocked collect call field of the country code database record. If there is a match, the call is blocked.

Abstract: A method includes retrieving a first data set from a billing system configured to facilitate a billing operation associated with a network. The first data set includes a plurality of billing records, which includes a first billing record associated with and including a field identifying a first circuit from a plurality of circuits included within the network. A second data set is retrieved from a configuration management system configured to facilitate an operation associated with the network. The second data set includes a plurality of configuration records, which includes a first configuration record associated with and including a field identifying the first circuit. When the field identifying the first circuit included in the first configuration record differs from the field identifying the first circuit included in the first billing record, a correct identifier associated with the first circuit is determined. When such a discrepancy exists, a report is produced.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for extracting information from a telecommunications invoice is provided. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method may include: receiving a telecommunications invoice data stream in a first data format; analyzing the telecommunications invoice data stream to determine the first data format; modeling the telecommunications invoice data stream; and mapping the modeled telecommunications invoice data stream to a normalized data format. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method may include: where the modeling of the telecommunications invoice data stream may further include any of: creating a model for the first data format; modeling the telecommunications invoice data stream according to the model; and/or modeling the telecommunications invoice data stream with an intelligent adapter.

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: An account management system (100) is coupled to a service center (101) serving a number of customers (108). The account management system has a communications interface (110), a memory (104), and a controller (102). The controller is programmed to monitor (202) service outages of the service center, detect (204) a service outage, identify (206) one or more customers affected by the service outage, and assign (208) a credit to each of the affected one or more customers.

Abstract: A system and method track short term and long term intervals to assess whether a voice message source is a likely source of voice spam. Upon detection of a spamming threshold, calls from the source are blocked until detection that a sufficient time interval has elapsed without generation of messages.

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 of identifying arbitrage includes determining whether originating and terminating call detail records (CDRs) are correlated and obtaining correlated candidate pairs from the determined CDRs; establishing whether a correlated candidate pair of the obtained correlated candidate pairs is a unique pair; and if established that a correlated candidate pair is unique, determining an amount of arbitrage based on the comparison of the originating and terminating CDR fields of the unique correlated candidate pair.

Abstract: A method for monitoring traffic revenue flows for a plurality of communications companies using Information Technology (IT) systems, including the following steps (v) designing an optimal sample of transactions that maximizes the probability of detecting billing errors done by the communications companies; (vi) executing transactions from the optimal sample of transactions through a plurality of communications networks and recording test transactions data, using concurrently a shared infrastructure comprising a plurality of robots for generating the transactions; (vii) collecting invoice lines from the IT systems in a non intrusive way, through an automated browsing of the web sites of the communications companies; so as to extract billing data for each test transaction, and (viii) processing the recorded test transactions data so as to re-rate billing for the test transactions, and matching said re-rated transaction billing data to billing data invoice extracted from the collected invoice lines, so as detec

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 a system for generating peer-to-peer billing records for at least one peer-to-peer communication session corresponding to at least one communication service in a communication system. The method comprises the steps of: collecting a completion-billing-token corresponding to a peer-to-peer communication session corresponding to a communication service and evaluating the completion-billing-token along with a paid-authentication-token corresponding to the peer-to-peer communication session. The completion-billing-token comprises a details corresponding to the peer-to-peer communication session, the details being at least one of a signature and an agreement. The paid-authentication-token controls duration of a peer-to-peer communication session based on a communication service provider.

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 method, system, and program providing identification usage fraud protection are provided. A context for a use of an identification via a communication line is detected at a fraud protection service. The context for use of the identification is analyzed in view of multiple previous uses of the identification. A level of suspicion of fraudulent use of the identification is specified according to the analysis of the context. Depending on the level of suspicion, further use of the identification may require additional authentication or may be barred. The identification may include a user name, an account number, a password, or other identifier that may be utilized to represent an individual in accessing products and services.

Abstract: A method for preprocessing transaction records indicative of subscriber activity on a telecommunication network for subsequent downstream processing is provided. The method includes receiving a file including a plurality of transaction records each having a plurality of fields, wherein each field contains at least one character. The characters of selected fields, or all fields, are analyzed to determine whether each of the characters is of a desired format. When any one of the characters is of an improper format, a first flag is set to indicate the existence of an erroneous character within the selected field of the transaction record. Each of the plurality of transaction records are also analyzed to determine whether each transaction record is within a desired category of transaction records. When any one of the plurality of transaction records within a file is not within the desired category of transaction records, a second flag is set to indicate an erroneous transaction record within the file.

Abstract: A kit for converting an existing pay telephone to additionally provide computer network access includes an upper housing unit that latches to a lower housing of the existing telephone, and a network adapter unit which includes a network computer and a control module that selectively disables a hook switch connection to a payphone electronics module of the existing payphone. A coin scanner and an escrow unit of the existing payphone are connected through the control module to the payphone electronics unit. The network computer, in combination with the control module, provides a stand by mode, a pay phone mode, a data mode utilizing an optional data port socket for connection of an external data device, and a network mode. The kit provides for remote management of network functions as well as payphone functions over a single telephone line. Also disclosed is a complete network access pay telephone.

Abstract: A system and method for auditing billing records in a telecommunications system. The method retrieves first data records from an origination device and second data records from a billing generation device; retrieves billing records from a billing device; compares the first data records with the second data records and with the billing records; generates a first error log of data records that appear in the first data records but not in the second data records; and generates a second error log of data records that appear in the second data records but not in the billing records.

Abstract: A banded billing system for telecommunication service is disclosed. A carrier's billing system maintains in data storage a banded-pricing schedule that divides a continuum of minutes of use into a series of contiguous, mutually-exclusive minute-ranges and that specifies for each minutes-range a respective cost. At the end of a billing period, the billing system determines a number of minutes of telecommunication service used by a given subscriber during the billing period. The billing system then queries the banded-pricing schedule to determine which minute-range the number of minutes falls into, and to determine the cost specified by the banded-pricing schedule for that minute-range. The billing system then bills the determined cost to the subscriber, for use of the telecommunication service in the billing period.

Abstract: An Intranet/Internet/Web-based data management tool that provides a common GUI enabling the requesting, customizing, scheduling and viewing of various types of unpriced call detail data reports pertaining to a customer's telecommunications network traffic. The Intranet/Internet/Web-based reporting system tool comprises a novel Web-based, client-server application that enables customers to access their own relevant data information timely, rapidly and accurately through a client GUI. A traffic view server is provided that enables periodic acquisition of data from the customer's telecommunications network at a user-specified frequency and configured to meet real-time traffic reporting requirements. The system infrastructure provided enables secure initiation, acquisition, and presentation of unpriced call detail and statistical data reports to customers.

Abstract: A system for tracking billing escalation records includes a processing device configured to provide for creating, tracking and forwarding escalation records, and databases adapted to communicate with the processing device. The databases are configured to provide data on the escalation records. In one embodiment, the databases include tables that are configured to provide data on escalation records such as current escalations, priority codes, investigators, department codes, investigation center department codes, case status, archives, among others. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying calls connected without answer supervision and for automatically generating billing information for these calls are disclosed. A monitoring device copies signaling messages associated with calls. The signaling messages are correlated into call detail records. The call detail records are analyzed to identify calls connected without answer supervision. In one implementation, calls that exceed a predetermined duration and for which no answer message was returned from the terminating end office are identified as calls without answer supervision. For these calls, billing records may be generated and forwarded to a network billing center.

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 gathering apparatus gathers CDRs from a CDR accumulating apparatus at the start time of a cycle operation, and transmits them to a processing apparatus. If the gathering of CDRs is not finished within a predetermined period of the cycle operation, a job starting function in a next and all following cycle operations is disengaged. Then, after the gathering in the present cycle operation is finished, the gathering in the next and all following cycles of manipulation is performed.

Abstract: A method for preprocessing transaction records indicative of subscriber activity on a telecommunication network for subsequent downstream processing is provided. The method includes receiving a file including a plurality of transaction records each having a plurality of fields, wherein each field contains at least one character. The characters of selected fields, or all fields, are analyzed to determine whether each of the characters is of a desired format. When any one of the characters is of an improper format, a first flag is set to indicate the existence of an erroneous character within the selected field of the transaction record. Each of the plurality of transaction records are also analyzed to determine whether each transaction record is within a desired category of transaction records. When any one of the plurality of transaction records within a file is not within the desired category of transaction records, a second flag is set to indicate an erroneous transaction record within the file.

Abstract: A system for tracking billing escalation records includes a processing device configured to provide for creating, tracking and forwarding escalation records, and databases adapted to communicate with the processing device. The databases are configured to provide data on the escalation records. In one embodiment, the databases include tables that are configured to provide data on escalation records such as current escalations, priority codes, investigators, department codes, investigation center department codes, case status, archives, among others. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method downloads data and reconfigures the data into a database. A telephone user purchases a specific number of lines and specific services (i.e., call waiting) from a telephone company. The telephony company then programs a switch associated with that user so that the user receives the services purchased. The telephone company also inserts the user's purchases into a database used for generating the user's bills. Discrepancies can occur between the data in the switch and the data in the billing database. Billing correction is performed by downloading all of the data within a switch, reconfiguring the data into a database and then comparing the switch database against the billing database to detect billing errors. To facilitate ease of this billing correction process, the switch database is transmitted to the billing correction center via a network instead of the traditional method of using direct tape copies of the switch being physically transported to the billing correction center.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically adjusting charges to a pre-paid account in a telecommunications or distributed processing network following a failure in the network. After a service that is chargeable against the pre-paid account is initiated in the network, a failure in the network is detected. The failure prevents a charging node from receiving event data relating to the pre-paid account. After recovery from the failure, a message is sent to the charging node containing service status information. The charging node adjusts the account balance in accordance with the service status information.

Abstract: A method and device for preventing fraud in special service calls from an international origin point to a domestic terminating point through a long-distance telecommunications system is described. In the system and method, a Screening for International Calls database is added to the Integrated Services Network (ISN) platform. The records in the Screening for International Calls database are keyed by the country code and contain a field for blocked terminating regions. When an international call is made, the record corresponding to the international origin point is retrieved from the Screening for International Calls database. This record is checked to determine if there are terminating regions indicated in the blocked exchange field. If there are no terminating regions indicated in the blocked exchange field, call processing continues.

Abstract: Call pattern data is generated for scheduling calls between a number of sites connected to a communication network. The call pattern data defines instructions for a number of sites to make a number of connections across the network to other sites over a predetermined period. This is achieved by creating a list of calls to be scheduled and then assigning in turn each of the calls to a source and a destination site. The source site and destination site are selected to satisfy one or a number of call constraint criteria associated with each call. The call pattern data representing the call is then generated and stored on a computer storage medium for subsequent download to the sites.

Abstract: An intelligent-networked telecommunication system avoids redundant billing for telephone transactions in which there is a billing conflict between the Intelligent Network (IN) and another component of the system by its Service Control Point (SCP) creating a service-dependent pseudo Calling Line Identifier (CLI). When a Pseudo CLI look-up table stored in the SCP database indicates that a pseudo CLI is to be created (based upon the Destination Number, DN, or the Service Key, SK), the SCP combines a prefix listed in the table with the Calling Party Number (CgPN) to form a pseudo CLI or create a totally new CLI number string. When the call is connected to the DN, the created pseudo CLI, rather than the original CLI, is transferred to the DN. A pseudo CLI is indicated where the IN is programmed to handle the billing of a particular transaction, and where the instrumentality of the DN (e.g., toll switch or special service platform) is also set up to handle billing.

Abstract: According the present invention, a line using status of each personal station which contains an existing analog line in a route between the personal station and an exchange unit is determined. The PS number of a personal station having a telephone call, the line number used for the telephone call, and the line use order of in which the personal station uses the line are registered in a billing unit provided to a cell station every time a telephone call is made, and the line number, the line use order and the charging rate parameter of usage of the line are registered in a billing center every time a telephone call is made. Further, the information registered in the billing unit is periodically collected in the form of analog signals in the billing center, and the PS number and the charging rate parameter are associated with each other by using the line number and the line use order as a key.