Abstract: A billing system for a telecommunications network uses a monitoring software agent to monitor messages, indicative of individual calls on the network, passing between a service switching point and a service control point. Call record information is extracted and is stored in a local call record database. Information from each call record database is then passed on to a central database, using updating mobile agents, the central database being accessible to such agents and report building agents which can extract billing information as requested by an operator. By monitoring the messages as they pass, the system can provide real time billing information without needing to poll the switch at the service switching point.

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: A telecommunications system, service control point and method are described that can pre-screen a telephone call to help prevent telephone toll fraud. More specifically, the telecommunications system includes a service control point capable of receiving information about a telephone call originated by a calling party, and further capable of determining whether the telephone call has a fraudulent attribute. If the telephone call has a fraudulent attribute, then the calling party is informed that there is a possibility of telephone toll fraud occurring if the telephone call is connected to a called party. And, if the telephone call does not have a fraudulent attribute, then the telephone call is automatically connected to the called party.

Abstract: A mechanism for rejecting specific types of calls in a network including collect calls and telemarketing calls. Calls are tagged to indicate the type of call, this tag being recognizable at the terminating end of the network allowing automatic rejection of the call on a subscription basis. In one embodiment, an OLI parameter is utilized to tag the call. In another embodiment, another parameter such as Optional Forward Call Indicator is utilized. An end office serving the subscriber may automatically reject the call, or may pass on the call to a PBX serving multiple subscribers. The PBX may automatically reject all calls of a particular type, or may allow calls depending on the subscriber being called.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing fraud. The method typically includes identifying one or more fraud indicators and examining past transactions and/or a pending transaction associated with the account for the presence of the fraud indicators. The method also includes, by said examining, detecting at least one of the fraud indicators. The method also includes calculating a cumulative fraud risk level associated with the pending transaction based on the detected fraud indicators. The method may also include determining whether the cumulative fraud risk level meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if the cumulative fraud risk level meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, verifying the request for the transaction with an owner of the account. The method may further include assigning a weighted value to each of the fraud indicators. The account is typically a telephone calling account, such as a calling card account.

Abstract: A device and method of intercepting in-progress calls whose billing numbers have been marked fraudulent subsequent to the initial authorization and validation of the same in-progress calls. The device and method uses criteria to define certain calls as “suspect” and parks all suspect calls after the initial call processing. Because the suspect calls are parked and not released to the general switching elements of the telephone network, the suspect calls can be torn down if the associated billing number is marked fraudulent after call processing. The criteria can maintain a fine granularity by using various Call Park Flags in various databases. In addition, the suspect calls can remain parked for varying amounts of time based on the category and type of call.

Abstract: A method and device for preventing fraud in international calls in a long-distance telecommunications system, where selected customers can avoid fraud control blocks and greater granularity is achieved in blocking international destinations. In the method and device, an override flag is created in the records of the Billing Number Screening (BNS) database. When a call is made using a billing number whose corresponding record has the override flag set, the call is not stopped by fraud control blocks on certain international destinations. In addition, international destinations can be blocked with greater specificity because a Country Set Logic (CSET) field is added to the International City Code Database. The addition of CSET to this database allows particular international city destinations to be blocked from certain origin points.

Abstract: A method for identifying multiple accounts belonging to a customer of a service provider using profiles indicating customer patterns of use of the service. The profiles distinguish the accounts of the service provider customers from each other. Those profiles that substantially match are considered to correspond to the same customer.

Abstract: Call forwarding can be used to commit fraud or to evade security controls in inmate calling systems. Information from the Common Channel Signaling (CCS) network can be used to detect when a dialed number has been call forwarded and furthermore prevent the call forwarding event from occurring. It is possible to determine whether a dialed number has been call forwarded by setting up a call to that number with the Redirection Counter in the Initial Address Message set to the maximum value allowed in the signaling system being utilized (e.g., CCS7). If the terminating switch fails to set up the call even though the trunk is available, the assumption is made that the call is call forwarded. A second attempt is then made to set up the call a second time setting the Redirection Counter in the Initial Address Message to zero. If the terminating switch returns an Answer Complete Message indicating that the call has been successfully set up, then it has been demonstrated that the dialed number is call forwarded.

Abstract: The losses sustained by telecommunications service providers attributable to unpaid, long-duration calls are reduced if such calls are carefully monitored. Upon the determination that a call might be fraudulent, the circuits carrying the call through a network or switching system comprising the network are automatically identified. The determination that a call might be fraudulent is forwarded to an administrator and, using information on the circuits carrying the call, the administrator can take affirmative steps to either tear down the call or further investigate whether the call is fraudulent.

Abstract: A predictive model system is used to detect telecommunications fraud. Call records (CDRs) provided by telephone companies are evaluated against specified rules. If one or more rules are matched, the system generates an alert. Pending alerts for a customer form a case, describing the caller's calling patterns. A predictive model determines a score that is predictive of the likelihood that the call involved fraud. Cases are queued for examination by analysts.

Abstract: A telephone system and method is provided for delaying authorization validation queries until after a called party accepts a telephone call. Queries are avoided not only in cases where the called phone line is busy or not answering, but also in cases where the called party declines to accept the charges. Because authorization validation queries typically take less than half a second, parties are not significantly affected by the delay.

Abstract: A system and method of telephony security for controlling and logging access between an enterprise's end-user stations and their respective circuits into the public switched telephone network (PSTN). A security policy, i.e., a set of security rules, are defined for each of the extensions, the rules specifying actions to be taken based upon at least one attribute of the call on the extension. Calls are detected and sensed on the extensions to determine attributes associated with each call. Actions are then performed on selected calls based upon their attributes in accordance with the security rules defined for those extensions.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is disclosed for automatically intercepting and analyzing computer modem commands for toll characteristics andthen alternatively permitting or preventing the computer modem command based on the results of the toll analysis and user preferences. The computer modem command is analyzed by extracting any proposed telephone dialing instructions and comparing the proposed telephone number to be dialed with data provided by the local telephone service provider (TSP) in order to determine whether the proposed telephone number would result in a “toll call,” or telephone service charges over and above the usual monthly rate, if transmitted to the modem. If a telephone service charge would result, the computer user is notified and prompted to give further instructions concerning whether the toll call should be placed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for placing and receiving voice calls using the conventional telephone network or the Internet are disclosed. A caller initiates a call by lifting a handset and dialing a toll-free telephone number. The call is routed over through a local telephone switch or through an Internet Service Provider. A credit or payment is issued to the caller for each minute the call continues. Brief commercial messages are played to the participants of the call to promote goods or services offered by a sponsor. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a Speech Recognition Engine deploys a sponsor's precisely targeted promotion when key words spoken during the call are detected.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for detecting fraudulent calling card calls to predefined high fraud countries including a call-intercept system capable of verifying call identities in order to prevent fraudulent calling card use.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to be able to register and authenticate a user and thus to allow for a simple charging method. Achivement of registration and authentication to allow for simple charging is solved by letting the client connect to a predefined registry function supplying the telephone number the client is using and that the registry function keeps a table with telephone numbers, authentication codes and IP-addresses.

Abstract: A system for service control and operations for a telecommunications network. In particular, an architecture and method for a service control and operations element system. The system communicates with a plurality of interconnected telecommunications network elements via a switching and signaling subsystem. The system provides and controls the various functions of the telecommunications network, such as call processing and routing, automatic fault detection and correction, providing services to customers in an interactive manner, fraud detection and control, identification of patterns of abuse of the network, collecting data regarding call activity at each network element, and producing a record of each call placed within the network.

Abstract: An improved workstation for use in a telecommunications fraud detection system is disclosed. The workstation provides a fraud analyst with streamlined access to case records defining one or more subcases or fraud analyses associated with specified calling card numbers. Additionally, the workstation is preferably interconnected to a customer information database and may display a variety of detailed customer information on monitor together with associated case or subcase information. Through the use of assorted tools provided by the workstation, a fraud analyst may efficiently study instances of possible telecommunications fraud on a case-by-case basis.

Abstract: An intelligent vending system such as a pay telephone provides local/remote diagnostics, fraud prevention, capability of facilitating local coin overtime operation, complete cash box accounting, and detailed reporting. Information regarding each transaction is recorded and is useful in verification, by way of example. The system includes a delta-sigma driver for reducing circuit complexity and improving circuit reliability, and a one-wire, high speed communication controller which facilitates high speed downloading and uploading of data, records, and operating program code. Battery management techniques, memory management, and coin detection circuits add to the system's capabilities and reliability. Firmware security techniques and operating system formats also promote product firmware security and configuration control.

Abstract: A prepaid service assurance system provides service assurance for a prepaid telecommunication system by generating a call to the prepaid telecommunication system. In response to the call, the prepaid service assurance system then receives an actual response from the prepaid telecommunication system and automatically compares the actual response with an expected response for the prepaid telecommunication system. In other embodiments, the prepaid service assurance system determines whether a modification action is needed based on the comparison of the actual response and the expected response. If the modification action is needed, the prepaid service assurance system identifies the modification action based on the determination that the modification is needed. Once the modification action is identified, the prepaid service assurance system transmits an instruction to provide the modification action for the prepaid telecommunication system.

Abstract: A generic translator (10) is provided for processing service requests sent by a digit collection client (16). Requests include billing validation (11), call routing (19), call screening (17), account code validation (15) or other services. These requests are processed by the generic translator (10) and successful results are sent back to the digit collection client (16) or a trunk selection process (20). The generic translator (10) can access an external entity (18) to assist in digit translation (13).

Abstract: In a communications network, the duration of a pre-answer phase of a call is recorded with reference to a number of signalling events associated with the set-up of the call. A billing record may be generated corresponding to the recorded pre-answer phase and may be used, for example, to bill customers carrying out stealth polling of terminals on an ISDN network.

Abstract: The present invention advanced voice application system takes advantage of information, or attributes, built into a telecommunications network to determine the risk that a call is a fraudulent call in a voice recognition and verification system. To achieve this end, information relating to the telecommunications network are stored in a database as various risk factors. Thus, depending on the type of risk factors associated with a particular call, the risk assigned to that call can be raised or lowered so that the network would not reject a valid caller even though the voice pattern of the caller does not match exactly with the prestored enrolled voice print of the caller. Such risk assessment allows the management of the network to tighten the security of the system without overburdening the caller with questions and also permits calls to be completed for valid subscribers that otherwise would have been rejected.

Abstract: Real time detection of the fraudulent use of a telecommunications network is accomplished by analyzing data for each call that is occurring within the network. A signal protocol receiver is used to collect signaling protocol for each call that is occurring within the network. The Signaling protocol data is collected, decoded and formatted into call information records (CIRs). The CIRs contain various operator specified parameters for each call that is occurring within the network. The CIRs are compared to operator defined thresholds. If any of the CIRs exceeds the thresholds, an alert is generated. The alerts are stored in a database where the operator can analyze them and take the appropriate corresponding action to resolve the alert. The alerts and the CIRs are archived in a database so that trends of fraudulent use can be detected and prevented. This method of fraud detection provides for the effective analyzation of every call that is occurring within the network.

Abstract: A system and method of telephony security for controlling and logging access between an enterprise's end-user stations and their respective circuits into the public switched telephone network (PSTN). A security policy, i.e., a set of security rules, are defined for each of the extensions, the rules specifying actions to be taken based upon at least one attribute of the call on the extension. Calls are detected and sensed on the extensions to determine attributes associated with each call. Actions are then performed on selected calls based upon their attributes in accordance with the security rules defined for those extensions.

Abstract: An improved system for detecting and preventing telecommunications fraud prior to call connection, in which attempted calls are screened for fraud at the point of calling card validation in the SCP. The SCP accesses a database holding a variety of fraud decision nodes that may be interrelated and grouped together to cooperatively define fraud screening trees against which attempted calls may be tested. A fraud screening tree ultimately produces a fraud prediction based on a variety of information concerning the attempted call. The present invention therefore facilitates fraud screening with greater granularity and customization.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and sending call disposition messages. When a calling card call is validated by the telephone network which issued the card, the card issuing network can request a call disposition message. In response to validation of the call, a billing detail record is generated and stored. When the call is completed. an operator service record is generated. The operator service record and its corresponding billing detail record are matched with each other, then merged to form a merged operator services record. The merged operator services record is processed to add pricing information. If the card issuing network had requested a call disposition message, the merged operator services record is sent to a gateway coupled to the card issuing network where it is reformatted to create a call disposition message. The call disposition message is then sent to the card issuing network.