Abstract: Systems and methods for providing per call data measurement in an IMS network are provided. An IMS network adapted to provide per call measurement data comprises a plurality of network nodes serving a call for a subscriber adapted to monitor network performance to generate call measurement data for the call. The network nodes further generate charging information for the call and include the call measurement data in the charging information. The network nodes transmit the charging information to a charging system. The charging system is adapted to parse call measurement data from the charging information, and to transmit the call measurement data for the call to a network management system.

Abstract: Communication networks and associated methods are disclosed that provide charging for long duration sessions. A charging data system of the communication network receives interim accounting request messages from a network element that is serving a session. The charging data system identifies interim timestamps for the interim accounting request messages, and stores the interim timestamps. After a time period during the long duration session, the charging data system generates a partial CDR. The charging data system then inserts duration information for the long duration session in the partial CDR based on the stored interim timestamps, and transmits the partial CDR to a correlation system. The correlation system may then calculate a total duration for the session based on the duration information in the partial CDR. Even if a start/stop timestamp is not available, the correlation system may estimate the total duration of the session based on the interim timestamps.

Abstract: The current invention is a system for providing directory assistance service in which a user sends a request to the system and the system will, based on the request, return advertisements, which may be in a visible or audible form. The advertisements are selected from a databank, which may include any number advertisements categorized within the category associated with the service, according to selection criteria. After the advertising announcement is completed, the directory assistance call is processed as usual.

Abstract: An advertisement display system and method of advertising has an initial step of loading a graphic advertisement onto a mobile computer-readable medium of a mobile device. The graphic advertisement has a time passage indicator for indicating the passage of time. An idle-time sensor determines an idle-time period in which updated application information cannot be presented on a display of the mobile device due to data processing activity by the processor, data transfer activity, congestion or latency in the wireless network, or any other activity that occupies resources in the mobile device to prevent the updating of the display. The graphic advertisement is displayed when the mobile device is in the idle-time period, animated to indicate the passage of time, and removed once the idle-time period has ended.

Abstract: An advertising information display method obtains the terminal location information, which is transmitted from a mobile telephone device, a terminal, retail store location information, which is transmitted from a plurality of retail stores, and advertising information, selects the neighborhood advertising information, which should be transmitted to the mobile telephone device, based on the terminal location information and a plurality of retail store location information, associates the terminal ID with the neighborhood advertising information, transmits the neighborhood advertising information to the mobile telephone device, and displays, on the display of the mobile telephone device, the neighborhood advertising information.

Abstract: The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: outputting the content of the advertisement when the user clicks the advertisement and simultaneously providing the user with a telephone number input window for enabling the user to input the telephone number thereof and the telephone number of a person to be called; connecting a call between the user and the person to be called via a public switched telephone network regardless of whether or not the user has opted for membership when the telephone numbers are input to the input window and a request for connection is made; and enabling the user to talk to the person over the phone for free when the call connection is made in exchange for watching the advertisement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for processing alternatively billed telephone calls, such as, for example, collect calls and third party calls. In some representative embodiments, a method for completing an alternatively billed call between a calling party and a called party comprises establishing a calling party quality score and completing the alternatively billed call if the calling party quality score meets a threshold. In other representative embodiments, the method further comprises establishing a called party quality score and/or a third party quality score, combining the aforementioned quality scores, and completing the alternatively billed call if the combination of quality scores meets a threshold.

Abstract: Changes in wireless service user behavior are encouraged and produced to shape utilization patterns among cells within a rate plan region by using shaping rules which define potential discounts from a standard charge rate under certain cell-specific utilization conditions, analyzing the shaping rules and utilization statistics of a cell upon service initiation, generating a discount from the standard rate for underutilized cells. The user is notified of these discount opportunities using text messages, icons, or other means. Over time, the users learn that at certain places and times, significant discounts are offered, and thus changes their behavior to take advantage of those discounts, thereby shaping traffic in a manner desired by the service provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for processing calls. A call is received at a softswitch or other call processing system from a caller intended for a first subscriber. The first call is associated with signaling information, the signaling information including a phone number associated with the caller. A determination is made as to whether the first subscriber has previously received a call associated with the caller phone number at the softswitch. If the first subscriber has not previously received a call associated with the caller phone number at the softswitch, a first message is played to the caller. An indication that the first message was played to the caller is stored in association with an account record associated with the first subscriber.

Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.

Abstract: A node (22) of a communications system is configured use behavioral information (26) regarding a customer/subscriber's communication usage to automatically perform a promotional activity (28) with respect to communication usages of the customer/subscriber with another customer/subscriber. In an example implementation, the node (22) comprises electronic circuitry (38) configured to use the behavioral information (26) regarding the customer/subscriber's communication usage to automatically perform the promotional activity (28) with respect to the communication usages of the customer/subscriber with the another customer/subscriber. In its various embodiments, the promotional activity (28) comprises at least one of a financial discount activity; a new access activity; a quality Of service change activity; and, an advance recharge activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for supporting a communication session of an user equipment, by means of a communication system that includes at least one entity between the user equipment and a node with which the user equipment is arranged to establish a session, the method including the steps of establishing a session between the user equipment and the node via the at least one entity, putting the session on hold, reserving resources for the session while the session is on hold, and resuming the session and distributing charging information.

Abstract: The invention includes telephony servicing over a computerized network wherein customers of a telephony services company may establish basic services, add new services or modify existing services. A customer may create an account on a provisioning system and manage the account options within a provisioning system which facilitates activity within an existing carrier provisioning system architecture.

Abstract: Comparing service plans based on a user's usage data may include collecting and analyzing service usage and reward earnings data for a user's current service to obtain a normalized service usage and rewards dataset, normalizing data related to a plurality of alternative service offerings according to a normalized alternative service offering model, applying the model to the normalized service usage and rewards dataset to produce a plurality of alternative service offering normalized datasets, comparing the alternative service offering normalized datasets to the normalized usage dataset according to at least one element of the datasets to determine if an alternative service offering is better than the user's current service, repeating the process periodically to determine on an updated basis which alternative service offering is better than the user's current service, and alerting the user when an alternative service offering that is better than the user's current service is available.

Abstract: A network element includes at least one input to receive communications from a plurality of terminal devices and a plurality of network elements, a processing unit and logic to classify the communications as a type of user information, and a router to route the communications according to the type of user information. The communication may be routed to at least one of a plurality of subnetworks according to the type of user information.

Abstract: The current invention is a system for providing telephone directory assistance service in which a telephone user calls to the system and the system will, based on the requested number or type of service, hear a recorded advertisement. An advertiser may target its own telephone number so that consumer requests for information that return the advertiser's telephone number are controlled, thereby preventing competitors of the advertisers from directing advertisements to those consumers. The advertisements are selected from a databank, which may include any number advertisements categorized within the category associated with the service, according to selection criteria. After the advertising announcement is completed, the directory assistance call is processed as usual. The selection criteria can include the use of SIC codes.

Abstract: When a card remaining balance for a non-contact type integrated circuit card processing chip 114 has been updated, a CPU 101 indicates that the card remaining balance has been updated by performing drive control of a notification portion (information LED 8, information speaker 9) having a cellular telephone function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system's software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for supporting a communication session of an user equipment, by means of a communication system that includes at least one entity between the user equipment and a node with which the user equipment is arranged to establish a session, the method including the steps of establishing a session between the user equipment and the node via the at least one entity, putting the session on hold, reserving resources for the session while the session is on hold, and resuming the session and distributing charging information.

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 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: Method and system for managing delivery of communications such as advertisements to mobile telephone subscribers where delivery to roaming subscribers is prevented or blocked when the subscriber is determined to be using a roaming network and revenue derived from delivery of the advertisements to a roaming subscriber is less than the cost for delivering the advertisements to the roaming subscribers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for providing telecommunication services based on customer groups. A customer group is offered a service plan that provides an incentive to early subscribers in the form of a more attractive pricing plan (i.e., discounts). For example, a particular subscriber may be provided a discount for each customer in the group who becomes a subscriber after the particular subscriber. The discounts and pricing plan may also be based, at least in part, on the total number of customers in the group that become subscribers. Further, in order to reduce customer churn, customer discounts or other incentives may be applied toward the end of a subscription plan period. Further, subscriber discounts and/or credits may be banked in a subscriber account.

Abstract: An audio message recording and playback system including a recorder-imprinter device, a self-contained voice module for playback of an audio message and a number of input devices for initially recording the audio message to the recorder-imprinter device. An internet web site is established for taking orders from customers, where customer data such as billing and shipping information is obtained. The web site further includes software that permits a user to create a voice recording to be delivered along with an accompanying product such as a greeting card, gift, flowers, or an ornament. The voice recording is accessed by a proprietor who confirms the billing and delivery information, and then transfers the voice recording to a recorder-imprinter that creates a transferable voice module for incorporation into the intended delivery.

Abstract: A method is provided for integrating marketing with a communications system. Initially, the method may create an electronic directory with a plurality of directory records and group records. The method may include distributing a communication platform which interfaces with the electronic directory to a plurality of users. In addition, the method may include establishing, by way of the communication platform, one or more communication sessions for the plurality of users. Furthermore, the method may also include a sales person listed in the electronic directory managing a marketing channel by way of the communication platform. Finally, the method may include recruiting new users of the communication platform and new organization members by way of the communication platform. The communication platform may solicit for new users and new organization members in exchange for establishing communication sessions on the communication platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to telecommunications, and in particular, to systems and processes for processing telephone calls and providing telephony services. In one embodiment, a call processing system, compromises a first telephony interface configured to receive a call from a caller, a storage device configured to store a greeting, and a call answering system. The call answering system is configured to play the greeting in response to receiving the call, record a voice message from the caller, determine when the caller has completed recording the voice message, after determining that the caller has completed recording the voice message, play a prompt regarding the caller becoming a subscriber to call services provided by the call processing system, receive from the caller information used to establish a call services account, and establish a call services account for the caller.

Abstract: A method and system for updating the available amount of a service to be used by a user in a communications system, wherein a requested amount of a requested service is reserved if it is available.

Abstract: Changes in wireless service user behavior are encouraged and produced to shape utilization patterns among cells within a rate plan region by using shaping rules which define potential discounts from a standard charge rate under certain cell-specific utilization conditions, analyzing the shaping rules and utilization statistics of a cell upon service initiation, generating a discount from the standard rate for underutilized cells. The user is notified of these discount opportunities using text messages, icons, or other means. Over time, the users learn that at certain places and times, significant discounts are offered, and thus changes their behavior to take advantage of those discounts, thereby shaping traffic in a manner desired by the service provider.

Abstract: Changes in wireless service user behavior are encouraged and produced to shape utilization patterns among cells within a rate plan region by using shaping rules which define potential discounts from a standard charge rate under certain cell-specific utilization conditions, analyzing the shaping rules and utilization statistics of a cell upon service initiation, generating a discount from the standard rate for underutilized cells. The user is notified of these discount opportunities using text messages, icons, or other means. Over time, the users learn that at certain places and times, significant discounts are offered, and thus changes their behavior to take advantage of those discounts, thereby shaping traffic in a manner desired by the service provider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system's software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring messages between communication terminals, including a control computer controlling message transfer which transfers a token to a first communication terminal and grants the first communication terminal authorization to transmit a message, and transfers a reservation message to a charging system, which asks the charging system to reserve resources for charging for the transfer of the message. After receiving the token, the first communication terminal starts to transmit the message, which is addressed to a second communication terminal, and portions of the message which have been transmitted by the first communication terminal are transferred to the control computer and are buffer-stored therein, and after receiving a reservation confirmation message transferred to the control computer by the charging system upon successful reservation the control computer transfers the message to the second communication terminal.

Abstract: The current invention is a system for providing telephone directory assistance service in which a telephone user calls to the system and the system will, based on the requested number or type of service, hear a recorded advertisement. The advertisements are selected from a databank according to selection criteria, which may include any number of advertisements. After the advertising announcement is completed, the directory assistance call is processed as usual. The selection criteria can include the use of SIC codes.

Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.

Abstract: A telecommunication network and method of billing a first subscriber associated with a first party to a call for variable call charges normally billed to a second subscriber associated with a second party is provided. The method includes: providing a charge-all mode, connecting the call between the first and second parties, determining whether charge-all mode has been arranged for the first subscriber, determining whether charge-all mode has been arranged for the second subscriber, and, if charge-all mode has been arranged for at least one, but not both, of the first and second subscribers, billing the subscriber associated with the at least one subscriber for variable charges associated with the call. The telecommunication network includes a first network serving the first party and adapted to provide charge-all mode to the first subscriber and a second network serving the second party and adapted to provide charge-all mode to the second subscriber.

Abstract: A dynamic call routing system includes establishing a plurality of service provider accounts. The service providers submit bids for a per-call charge. A call list is created wherein the service providers are ranked from the highest bidder to the lowest bidder. A telephone call received from a potential customer is routed to the highest ranked bidder service provider on the call list. If the call is not answered or rejected, the call is rerouted to the next highest ranked service provider on the call list. The service provider's account who has received the telephone call is charged the pre-call amount bid by that service provider.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for compensating recipients of calls are provided. A request to bill a caller a tariff for a call is initiated, wherein the caller originates the call. The caller is prompted to accept payment of the tariff to receive access to a destination line during the call. Responsive to negotiating for the payment of the tariff from the caller, the caller is connected with the destination line, such that the caller pays for access to the destination line. In particular, the caller may pay for access to a particular callee at the destination line.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a control point and a switching point for discounting a customer's billing for telephone calls completed in a wide area centrex/PBX network that includes an abbreviated dialing plan. The control point receives, from the switching point, a query that is generated based upon receiving a telephone call. The control point determines a call type code that is based upon a calling station type and a called station type. When the call type code is eligible for discounted billing, the control point generates a billing record of a first type for the call. The billing record of the first type is used to discount the billing for the call. The control point forwards, to the switching point, the billing record of the first type for the call. The switching point generates a billing record of a second type for the call and, when the call type code is eligible for discounted billing, the billing record of the first type is used to modify the billing record of the second type.

Abstract: A communications network system and a corresponding method for starting an AoC service of a user are disclosed. The system comprises a control means for sending a protocol message comprising a MIME indication of an AoC application to a user equipment (UE). The user equipment receives the protocol message and activates the AoC application by using the MIME indication.

Abstract: A call is forwarded by connecting the call between an originating location and a forwarding location without connecting the call through a terminating location. The originating location is associated with a calling party. The terminating location is associated with a dialed number. The terminating location and the forwarding location is associated with the called party. A bill for the call is apportioned between the calling party and the called party. The bill portion for the calling party is a function of the originating location and the terminating location. The bill portion for the called party is a function of the terminating location and the forwarding location.

Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.

Abstract: A method of managing resources in a switched network including the steps of assigning a respective willingness to pay WtP value to each of a plurality of network users, assigning respective set point values for a network performance parameter for each of a plurality of routers in the network, assigning a respective initial price value to each router which is associated with the network performance parameter at the router, and operating a first control loop which is operable to receive respective measures of the actual network performance at each of the routers, calculate for each router, a plurality of difference values which are the respective differences between the actual performance and the set point for each router, adjust the price value for each router by a factor based on the respective difference value, generate a flow price value for each user by summing the price values for each of the routers in the path of the respective user's desired data flow through the network, allocate a resource share valu

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for compensating a viewer for viewing of a designated channel with reduction of telephone charges. The system comprises a signal input port to which image signals from a plurality of channels are accessed; a signal output port for supplying the image signals to a picture receiving device for displaying them; a telephone network port to which an external telephone network is accessed; a telephone connection port accessed to a telephone set; a channel filtering unit connected between the signal input port and the signal output port, for outputting only the image signals from a single channel among the plurality of channels to the signal output port; and a controller for controlling the channel filtering unit so that the designated channel is output when making a phone call. With this configuration, an audience rating of the designated channel can increase and the telephone charges of the user can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of reducing telephone usage charges billed by a telephone service provider for connecting a source telephone to a target telephone by communicating to a computer system the telephone number of the source telephone, and communicating to the computer system the telephone number of the target telephone, with the computer system originating a connection to the source telephone and originating a connection to the target telephone. The computer system then connects the source telephone to the target telephone. This connection is made such that a telephone service provider for the source telephone interprets the source telephone as a receiving telephone and bills the source telephone number at the discount rate for incoming calls for the telephone call. The computer system for this system may include a PBX system and computers capable of managing phone calls to and from the PBX system to accommodate both two party and multiple party calls.

Abstract: Methods of minimizing the cherry picking potential of a network having regions in which nodes of the network may be found are disclosed. The methods randomly seed each region of the network with a node and, and an unassigned node is selected at random. A cherry picking potential is then computed for that node in the region and the method then loops around all of the nodes in all of the regions to find the minimum cherry picking potential for the network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing targeted advertising to telephone callers in mid-dial. The invention monitors the dialing activities of a caller. When a caller enters a partial desired telephone number, an embodiment of the present invention receives the partial number and determines whether an advertisement should be presented to the caller. If all of the appropriate conditions are met, a selected advertisement is transmitted to the caller's telephony device and the caller is given the opportunity to respond to the advertisement before the dialing operation completes.

Abstract: A system, and methods for billing clients of services providers are presented. Calls to the services providers are received at a prepaid calling center where the clients are prompted to provide an identification number. The identification number is then used to retrieve a record from a database which includes the client's debit account information as well as a menu of services available from a services provider, and the services provider's telephone number. After retrieving the foregoing information, the prepaid calling center completes a telephone call between the client and the services provider. The prepaid calling centers then debits the prepaid account at a prescribed billing rate until the telephone call is terminated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for supporting a communication session of an user equipment, by means of a communication system that includes at least one entity between the user equipment and a node with which the user equipment is arranged to establish a session, the method including the steps of establishing a session between the user equipment and the node via the at least one entity, putting the session on hold, reserving resources for the session while the session is on hold, and resuming the session and distributing charging information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information to a telecommunications customer who has been placed in the hold state by a telecommunications network providing a call connection to said customer. The information may be in the form of an advertisement in which case the carrier can derive revenue from providing the service. The information can be selected based on the customer profile so that the most appropriate advertisement is transmitted to the customer who is on hold.

Abstract: In prior art, a user can access a particular information assistance service provider only through the carrier contracting the particular provider by dialing special digits recognized by the carrier's switches. In accordance with the invention, an independent telephone number is assigned to the particular provider which enables the user to call the provider independent of the carrier used. When the user calls the provider for information assistance service using the independent telephone number, a user affiliation file associated with the user is retrieved. Such a file includes information concerning one or more user affiliations recognized by the provider. Part of the service charges incurred in the information assistance call are allocated to the recognized user affiliations, or the user as a credit, discount or other remuneration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a communications system and a method for establishing a broadband connection, for example a multi-media connection between two or more users, by means of exchanges in a communications network, for example an ATM network. According to the invention, when the exchanges receive a request from a calling user to establish a broadband connection, said exchanges first establish a minimal connection between the users and once the minimal connection is in operation between the users, the requested broadband connection is established. The users of broadband network capacities, which have been reserved by the network at the request of the user, are billed during the call phase. Broadband connections of this type can receive a higher priority than the upgrade of minimal connections to complete connections. A voice connection comprising audio data constitutes for example a minimal connection. The broadband connection takes place for example between video telephones.