Abstract: A protocol processing method and apparatus are disclosed for a multi-SIM terminal holding multiple subscriber identification cards. The method includes: determining whether all the subscriber identification cards are associated with the same base station (e.g., a Public Land Mobile Network); and conducting, when all the subscriber identification cards are associated with the same base station, frequency scanning and measurement for a selected one of the subscriber identification cards, and sharing the results of frequency scanning and measurement with all the subscriber identification cards. Hence, the multi-SIM terminal may reduce battery power consumption without repeated frequency scanning and measurement for multiple subscriber identification cards.

Abstract: Methods and devices for charging a user for access to a service accessible via a communication network are disclosed. At least two charging-related states are defined for the communication network. A tariff proposal entity associated with the user determines one or more tariff proposals for charging the user for accessing the service and sends the one or more tariff proposals to a rating entity. The rating entity analyzes the one or more tariff proposals in relation to a current charging-related state of the at least two charging-related states, wherein it is determined if at least one of the one or more tariff proposals complies with at least one tariff setting associated with the current charging-related state. The rating entity further selects a tariff of the at least one complying tariff proposals for charging the user for access to the service and initiates a charging of the user for access to the service according to the selected tariff.

Abstract: A home network may track data usage in real time by a wireless mobile communication device while roaming in a GSM network that is separate from the home network. A Home Location Register (HLR) may receive location information indicative of the location of the wireless mobile communication device in the GSM network. An Online Charging System (OCS) may receive the location information directly or indirectly from the Home Location Register. The Online Charging System may use this location information to determine data rates and cutoff limits which are consistent with subscriber plans and are based on the location of the mobile communication device. This information may be communicated to roaming subscribers in real time and/or used to cut off data communication.

Abstract: A terminal device includes a service type distinguishing module and a traffic measuring module. The service type distinguishing module is adapted to distinguish types of services accessed by the terminal device; the traffic measuring module is adapted to measure the traffic of each service type according to the service types distinguished by the service type distinguishing module. The present disclosure also discloses a system and method for measuring traffic based on user services. With the technical scheme of the disclosure, traffic of different service types can be measured respectively on a terminal device, so that the charging system is able to apply different charging policies to different service types.

Abstract: A method for determining an amount of time required to download a data file to a wireless device includes receiving information indicating a first amount of wireless bandwidth allocated for the download of the data file, calculating a first length of time required to download the data file to the wireless device based on the first amount of wireless bandwidth allocated, and comparing the first length of time required to a predetermined amount of time. If the first length of time required is less than the predetermined amount of time, the download begins. If the first length of time required is more than the predetermined amount of time, information indicating the first length of time required is sent to the wireless device, a start download signal is received from the wireless device, and download of the data file to the wireless device begins in response to the start download signal.

Abstract: A signaling node within a telecommunications network automatically detects that a signaling link is fluctuating in and out of service and provides hysteresis to the fluctuating signaling link. The signaling node includes a link controller that monitors the state(s) of the signaling link over a time period and a link blocking module that blocks the signaling link from carrying SS7 traffic when the signaling link fluctuates between a failed state and a stable state over the time period.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for managing point-to-multi-point services in a mobile communication network, comprising: receiving from a mobile station a request for accessing a point-to-multipoint service, storing a subscriber identification in association with a point-to-multipoint service identification, performing an access enabling procedure, and providing accounting information to an accounting entity of the mobile communication network, where said accounting information identifies the subscriber who placed the request together with the point-to-multipoint service for which access was requested.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for managing telecommunication trunk groups. Configuration, operational, and other information may be maintained regarding trunk groups in a telecommunication network. Various calculations and searches may be performed using the information maintained regarding the trunk groups of telecommunication network and provided to a user to allow a user to identify the performance of various trunk groups. The present invention may further allow a user to propose changes to the configuration or routing associated with one or more trunk groups and provide a user with predicted outcomes should such changes be made.

Abstract: A system and method for reconciling the differences in pricing breakout definitions between telecommunication carriers so that rates and codes can be communicated between carriers in a format that is compatible with the systems of the respective carriers.

Abstract: The present invention enables a graphical display of network call volumes in a predefined period before and after network alarm indications that show serious service disruptions to help determine if surges in call volumes precipitated the service disrupting event. When a surge of call volumes occurs and subsides, the graphical display of current network call volumes can be compared against historical trends of normal call traffic volumes and rates. The network will be placed in a high alert state and monitored for the predefined period of time. If the comparison shows aberrations between the historical trends and the current trend within the predefined period time window, then the network operator will be informed to take actions.

Abstract: A apparatus for the integration of phone communications and IT data transmissions through a LAN provides central equipment and peripheral devices of said local area network comprising means, hardware and software, for the analogue/digital and digital/analogue conversion of phone signals into data packets and vice-versa, for the detection of data packets referring to phone communications, for the priority transmission of said data packets to the addressed phone sets, for the automatic transfer of phone communications from public phone network to LAN phone users and vice-versa, for the integrated management of messages having a multimedia content, for the performance of typical functions of an exchange and further, for the automatic selection of the most inexpensive telecommunication carrier and telephone connection mode as a function of phone service cost parameters and statistic parameters referring to the use of telephone services by each LAN phone user.

Abstract: A wireless communication system comprises a portable telecommunication terminal and a server unit possessed by the communication service provider for the portable communication terminal. The portable communication terminal has a first communication section performing a communication by way of a first wireless path to which flat rate billing system is applied, a second communication section performing a communication a communication by way of a second wireless path to which measured rate billing system is applied; and a communication control section, detecting a candidate for wireless path being available at the current position and, performing a communication at the current location by the first communication section when the first wireless path is detected as a candidate for wireless path.

Abstract: A system and method for reconciling the differences in pricing breakout definitions between telecommunication carriers so that rates and codes can be communicated between carriers in a format that is compatible with the systems of the respective carriers.

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: There is provided a method for providing content to network devices in a communication network. A level of congestion of the communication network is determined (305). A cost of service is calculated based on the level of congestion (310). The network devices are informed of the cost of service (315). A first selection is received from a user of a network device specifying a content to be downloaded to the network device during a download process (320). A second selection is received from the user specifying a cost of service threshold for the download process (325). The cost of service is automatically compared to the cost of service threshold (330). The download process is automatically performed, when the cost of service is less than the cost of service threshold (335).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for use in a wireless network that includes a base station and a mobile station. Service may be provided by the base station to the mobile station based on the traffic load on the network. When a request for a service is received at the base station, the cost of the service is determined. The request is granted if the determined cost is less than or equal to a threshold that is responsive to a load on the network.

Abstract: A router can consider two color vectors for a path including multiple links through a network. One color vector indicates colors that all of the multiple links include. Another color vector indicates the colors that none of the multiple links include. In setting up a constraint-based label switched path (LSP), a router can use a program that includes a logical process. With the process, the router can automatically compute the color vectors for the path whenever the path of an LSP changes and/or the characteristics (colors) of one or more of the multiple links constituting the LSP changes. Computing whether the path is eligible for inclusion in the LSP includes calculating whether the path includes all colors that must be included in an LSP and calculating whether the path includes any of the colors that must be excluded from the LSP.

Abstract: Duplicate processing at network operators is avoided by applying once-only processing at operators which are adjacent to either the source or destination host of a data packet. An operator is adjacent to a host if there exists a path between the operator and the host containing no other operators. In one embodiment, an operator determines that it is adjacent to a host if it receives a special broadcast data packet from the host. To ensure that no other operators receive the special broadcast data packet, the adjacent operator drops the packet. In another embodiment, operators determine whether they are adjacent to identified hosts by transmitting special ping packets to the hosts. If an operator receives a ping response from the host, the operator determines that it is adjacent to the host. To ensure that only adjacent operators receive ping responses, intervening operators drop special ping packets received from other operators.

Abstract: Operators of transfer points in the signalling network number 7 wish, on the one hand, to protect themselves against unauthorized use; on the other hand, these operators want to require fees for the use of the STP. The present invention solves this demand in a simple way in that it unites MTP charging with incoming linkset/DPC (desination point code) screening such that the accounts and their respective sub-accounts could be managed according to the evaluations of the covered traffic.

Abstract: A telecommunications call routing and billing computer system includes a telecommunications network including a junction point including a call routing switching device, and including two call routing links meeting at the junction point and in communication with each other through the call routing switching device; and a call routing simulation network including a junction point simulation computer located at the junction point and in communication with the call routing switching device and the two call routing links.

Abstract: A linear multichannel detection system for billing by spectrum convolution applicable in telecommunications systems, capable of detecting the metering pulses in a signal sent from a telephone exchange to the subscribers, multiplying the signal by a specific signal generated by the system and measuring powers corresponding to the signals resulting from the multiplication, in such a way that a power measured with a value greater than a predefined threshold value indicates detection of the pulse. The invention likewise refers to an access system including the detection system.

Abstract: A system and method for flexibly routing communications transmissions in an efficient manner is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, service providers submit information to a centralized server node which comprises cost and service parameter data for routing a communication from a first location to a second location. The server node receives all of the submitted rate information, evaluates it, and generates from the information a rate-table database comprising efficient routing paths for connecting transmissions between any two locations in a communications switching network. The server may be programmed to substantially optimize its rate-table database with respect to one or more parameters, such as price, network utilization, return traffic volumes, and others. Service requesters submit service requests to the centralized server node.

Abstract: Method for registering an overload situation in a telephone exchange system comprising a local exchange (LE), an access node (AN), a concentrating interface (V5) connecting the access node (AN) to the local exchange (LE), a resource manager (RMA), which is part of the local exchange (LE) and a statistical unit (STU), which is part of the local exchange (LE). The method comprises the steps of scanning the concentrating interface (V5) to find a free time slot and detecting by means of the resource manager (RMA) that the concentrating interface (V5) is overloaded. The method further comprises the steps of sending to the statistical unit (STU) a message reporting congestion, based on information existing in the resource manager (RMA), and recording the congestion situation into a traffic measurement report by means of the statistical unit (STU).

Abstract: A system and method for flexibly routing telecommunications in an efficient manner using resources that are traded in a market are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, service providers and requesters submit service offers and requests to a server node. Offers and requests may be submitted automatically by a telecommunications node programmed to dynamically monitor current volume and sell or buy telecommunication time or bandwidth on the basis of the actual and predicted demand. The server node administers all aspects of the trades and the resulting changes in global network operations, hilling, and settlements. When a buyer wishes to use telecommunications resources it has purchased, it may pass supervision to a local telecommunications node, which may establish transmission using the purchased telecommunications resources.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for call set-up and a telecommunication system. The telecommunication system comprises service database means (10, 20, 30 and 40) comprising teleservice price data. The service database means (10, 20, 30 and 40) are connected to different service provider means (15 to 17, 25, 26, 35, 45, 46) representing various operators. A control means (11, 12, 21 to 23, 31 to 33, 41 and 42) is in connection with the subscriber terminal of the telecommunication system, and is regularly, or at a preferred time, in connection with the service database means (10, 20, 30 and 40) for transmission of service information to the control means (11, 12, 21 to 23, 31 to 33, 41 and 42). The control means (11, 12, 21 to 23, 31 to 33, 41 and 42) controls the call set-up of the subscriber terminal so that the subscriber uses the operator (15-17, 25, 26, 35, 45, 46) offering the most inexpensive teleservice.

Abstract: A call forwarding system for an AIN telecommunications environment is provided in which a destination has changed from an old telephone number to a new telephone number. A calling party places a call which attempts to contact the destination by dialing the old telephone number. The call forwarding system includes a hub switch, and an old address switch with which the calling party connects to upon dialing the old telephone number. The old address switch, upon recognizing that the calling party has called a telephone number which has been changed, prefixes the old telephone number with a three digit code, and forwards the call, along with the prefixed old telephone number, to the hub switch. The hub switch recognizes the three digit code, and launches an AIN trigger to an AIN platform which determines the new telephone number and whether the destination has elected to pay for forwarding the call to the new telephone number.

Abstract: A call control management system is constructed causing no deterioration in performance relative to call control even when utilizing a totalizing function. The call control management system includes a call control system and a call information management system. The call control system outputs, every time the transition of a status of a call under control is made, a record showing a status after the call transition to a call status information log file. The call information management system extracts a record about the same call from the call status information log file, creates a record containing at least data convertible into a call charge on the basis of the extracted record, and stores the call information collecting log file with the created record. The call information management system, when indicated to output accounting information and traffic information etc, creates and outputs information indicated to be outputted based on the information stored in the call information collecting log file.

Abstract: In a public switched telephone network, real time monitors on SS7 links will collect interoffice signaling messages. A site processor compiles data from the signaling messages relating to individual calls, to form call detail records (CDRs) for all interoffice call attempts. The site servers upload the CDRs to a central server. Automatic Message Accounting (AMA) records also are accumulated for at least selected central office switching systems and uploaded to a server. Programs running on the servers enable network operations personal to analyze a variety of network traffic patterns, for example to study the number of calls to particular numbers during various times periods and the hold time of the calls in order to identify the numbers of Internet Service Providers (ISPs).