Abstract: A communication is received via a telecommunications network. A determination is made concerning whether a monetary surcharge is associated with the communication, and a notification is transmitted concerning the determination.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a caller-controlled demarcation service is described. An embodiment of the present invention is advantageously implemented as an advanced service in an intelligent telecommunications network. An embodiment of the present invention allows the user to specify an interval for a telephone communication. A telecommunication switch times the communication and when the interval expires, the switch either plays a tone to signal the expiration or disconnects the call. The switch may enforce the interval for calls originating or terminating at the subscriber's phone.

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: A system and method for determining inter-carrier network usage may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier by subscribers of a second communications carrier that manages a second packet network. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of the second packet network by subscribers of the first communications subscriber may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined, where the network usage information may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time and non-real-time content.

Abstract: A method for converting a first time and a first date in a first format to a second time in a second format includes determining a number of seconds that have elapsed between a predetermined date and a beginning of a current year of the first date. The method further includes adding to the determined number of seconds, a calculated number of seconds calculated from the beginning of the current year to a current month and a current day of the first date to obtain a first sum. The first sum varies based on whether the current month is within a leap year and is subsequent to a leap day of the leap year. A number of seconds that have elapsed between a beginning of the current day of the first date and the first time is added to the first sum. Lastly, a predetermined number of seconds is added to the first sum when Daylight Savings Time is in effect to obtain the second time in the second format.

Abstract: A system and method for managing communication fees of a mobile phone are provided. The system is implemented by the mobile phone, and is used to manage communication fees when a user of the mobile phone uses a mobile communication service. The mobile phone includes at least one processor operable to execute a communication fees management system, and further includes a storage device and a display screen. The system can detect a current call when a user of the mobile phone makes a call, calculate a communication time and a communication fee of the current call, and display the communication time and the communication fee on the display screen at the termination of the current call.

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 system for billing Internet protocol (IP) telephony, or other telecommunication calls transmitted over data packet networks, is provided. Calls may be routed over networks of different types, e.g., H.323 networks or IP voice networks. Different types of network devices, e.g., call managers, switches, or gateways, may transmit legs within a call. Each device type typically generates call records that have data fields unique to that device. In order to generate a single billing record for each call, call records are standardized and then matched with call records from other devices. Key fields within call records that may be matched include: call connect timestamps, signal start timestamps, calling party identifiers, called party identifiers, or network device identifiers. Timestamps within call records may be synchronized from a common time server.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a caller-controlled demarcation service is described. An embodiment of the present invention is advantageously implemented as an advanced service in an intelligent telecommunications network. An embodiment of the present invention allows the user to specify an interval for a telephone communication. A telecommunication switch times the communication and when the interval expires, the switch either plays a tone to signal the expiration or disconnects the call. The switch may enforce the interval for calls originating or terminating at the subscriber's phone.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide intelligent queuing with respect to processing transaction records. According to one embodiment, transaction records, such as collect calling records, are initially processed to a point that they are ready for release to an appropriate third party for further processing, billing, and/or collection, and are submitted to a queue. Queued transaction records preferably have initial queuing period information associated therewith. Embodiments dynamically change such queuing period information while a transaction record is pending in the queue, such as based upon further intelligence collected with respect to the party to the transaction, based upon subsequent transaction behavior, etcetera.

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, a telecommunications system and a network node are provided for managing subscription information of a prepaid subscription in a telecommunications system. According to the present invention, a first time limit indicating when the subscription will expire is set during subscription provisioning. When the first time limit is encountered, the subscription is deactivated.

Abstract: A current time and a current Gregorian date are converted into an epoch time stamp. A number of seconds that have elapsed since a predetermined date up until the current year is determined. A number of seconds that have elapsed since the beginning of the current year up until the current month is determined based on whether the current year is a leap year. In addition, a number of seconds that have elapsed since the beginning of the current month up until the current day is calculated, as is a number of seconds that have elapsed during the current day. All of these values are summed to obtain a converted time. Finally, it is determined whether Daylight Savings Time is in effect, and when Daylight Savings Time is not in effect, 3600 seconds are added to the converted time.

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: 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 timekeeping system and method is provided for enabling users to graphically represent one or more activities, as well as the time that has been allocated to each. A graphical display uniquely identifies activities or events based on different visual indicators (e.g., colors), as well as a dimension (e.g., length, area, etc.) that visually represents the duration of the activities or events. At least one dimension of the visual indicator changes in real time to represent the elapsed time of an activity. A report module comprising a report generator and report editor is provided to enable users to account for and summarize the time that has been spent on various activities.

Abstract: In general, a system and method for analyzing wireless communication data for determining an optimal wireless communication service plan is disclosed. A transceiver is configured to receive billing information associated with a subscriber of a telecommunications service under a current rate plan. A storage unit stores the billing information. A processor processes the subscriber related billing information to produce organized data in a calling profile record, wherein the calling profile record is organized with parameters selected from the group consisting of, where calls are made and received, when calls are made and received, and what types of calls are made and received. The processor then analyzes the processed data in relation to a plurality of rate plans of a plurality of telecommunications service providers, and determines at least one proposed rate plan that would save the subscriber telecommunication costs relative to the current rate plan.

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: The usage limited postpay service, for mobile wireless communication customers, utilizes a governor platform that estimates all appropriate usage charges and applies those charges in substantially real-time against a pre-set spending cap or limit for each customer. When the customer reaches the limit based on estimated charges, further usage is prohibited, even if the customer reaches the limit during an ongoing call or communication session. The actual bill for service, however, is generated in the normal manner after calls made or received during each billing cycle of the postpay service. The customer may deposit money or make payments against billed amounts, to reset the limit in the database associated with the governor platform. Use of the postpay billing approach allows the carrier to offer the cap or limit on essentially any of the carrier's normal postpay service plans, for example, including any or all of the carriers one-rate service plans.

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: The present invention provides an alert to a user after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed for a particular communication. The timing for the alert may be set by the user at the beginning of each call, or may be automatically configured during the initiation of a call or communication. Control of the alert and the respective timing preferably occurs at a local call control center, such as a central office switch in the public telephone system, or a mobile switching center in a wireless system. For voice communications, the alert is preferably audible. Alternatively, for data communications, the alert is configured to effect an audible, visual, or otherwise perceptible alert on the user's interface.

Abstract: An consumer contact toll optimizer providing for the automatic disconnection and reconnection of communication links between communications devices and/or services is provided. The system allows communication links to be terminated before a specified period of time has elapsed, thereby allowing consumers of communications services charging on a time of use basis to minimize the charges incurred while using such services. In particular, the present invention allows consumers to minimize fees in connection with communications networks that charge at a first, lower rate for an initial period of time, and a second, higher rate for subsequent periods of time. The present invention is particularly well-suited for use in connection with wireless telephones having service plans that do not charge for the first incoming minute of a telephone call, and in connection with long distance service plans that charge a lower rate for an initial period of time and a higher rate for a subsequent period of time.

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: Methods and systems for optimizing bandwidth pricing for a data transmission system electronically connected to a source of bandwidth spot prices, where the data transmission system transmits data as packets to a predetermined destination, are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically selecting a telephone service provider that provides a communication service at the most inexpensive fee schedule and a method thereof are disclosed. According to the apparatus and the method, a telephone service provider that provides a communication service at the most inexpensive fee schedule is automatically selected according to the predetermined area, time and provider codes corresponding to a connection signal inputted by the calling part. This effectively provides a telephone service to a user at the lower rate.

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: A communication switching system comprising a first time counter for registering a starting time of a communication service, the first time counter adapted to change the present reference time according to a request given during the communication service, a second time counter for registering the beginning and the ending time of the communication service, the second time counter not responsive to the request to change the present reference time during the communication service, and a main processor for computing a service charge for the communication service based on the time difference between the beginning time and the ending time registered in the second time counter in reference to the starting time registered in the first time counter, wherein a subscriber is charged according to the exact call time used for the communication service.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for enabling a subscriber to pre-purchase usage time from a telephone company or a consolidator at substantially a discounted rate and use the pre-purchased usage time against subsequent long distance telephone calls.

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.