Third Party Billing Patents (Class 379/114.23)
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Patent number: 9026468Abstract: Systems and methods for proactively establishing a third-party payment account for services rendered to a resident of a controlled-environment facility (“CEF”). A campaign-triggering event is detected, which triggers contact of prospective third-party (“3rd-party”) payers for a resident of a CEF in order to encourage such prospective 3rd-party payers to establish 3rd-party payment accounts for the resident. In this manner, the prospective 3rd-party payers are proactively contacted prior to an expected future demand for service by the resident. A method thus comprises identifying at least one prospective third-party payer for a resident of a controlled-environment facility, and proactively contacting the identified at least one prospective third-party payer prior to demand for service by the resident to encourage the identified at least one prospective third-party payer to establish a third-party payment account for payment for future service expected for the resident.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Veronica Martinez, Marc Hite, Luke Keiser
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Patent number: 8868032Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for automatic, repetitive enforcement of a policy rule according to a schedule are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for automatic, recurrent enforcement of a policy rule includes providing, to a node for enforcing policy rules in a telecommunications network, an automatically recurrent policy rule, the policy rule defining an enforcement activation condition and including an enforcement recurrence attribute; and using, at the node, the enforcement activation condition and the enforcement recurrence attribute to recurrently activate the enforcement of the policy rule according to the enforcement recurrence attribute.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Tekelec, Inc.Inventors: Yusun Kim Riley, Uri Baniel
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Patent number: 8781089Abstract: A system, method or device for sharing revenue for incoming Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls between a VoIP service provider and VoIP service subscribers. The VoIP subscribers may earn credits for receiving incoming calls from a first network to an Internet Protocol (IP) network, based on a revenue sharing model. The first network may be any cellular, fixed line or other IP network in the world. The user earns credits for incoming calls to his softphone, initiated by any landline, mobile phone or VoIP phone user in the world, which dials his local number. After the softphone user accumulates credits, he may be able to initiate outgoing calls to any telephone in the world, by using his credits. The user can also register others for the service (using email or any other method), and obtain a portion of their credits, when they receive incoming calls to their softphones from external callers.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Inventors: Shai Haim Gilboa, Daniel Fogel
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Patent number: 8634525Abstract: Methods, systems, and products select an account number of payment of a communication. When multiple account numbers are associated with a customer, the customer is prompted to select the account number that is billed for the communication.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.Inventor: Carliss Renee Cato
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Patent number: 8625758Abstract: The invention concerns a method for sponsoring a communication service, wherein said communication service is made available directly, in particular to a user of said communication service, and wherein a rule, in particular applicable for charging a sponsor of said communication service, is determined dynamically.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Xiangyang Li, Yigang Cai
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Patent number: 8583078Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for managing cellular usage in controlled areas. For example, in one embodiment, a cellular monitoring system communicates with one or more femto cells located within a controlled area for detecting the presence of unauthorized cellular devices or for monitoring the usage of cellular devices within the controlled area.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn D. S. Rooks, Jeff Stafford
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Patent number: 8489068Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods that identify requested call connections that cannot be billed by a call management system and redirects those calls to a call processing platform. The call management system sends data associated with the requested call connections to the call processing platform in a session initiation protocol (SIP) message header. The call processing platform identifies one or more payment options that are not available for use by the call management system and offers the called party the opportunity to accept one of the payment options to complete the requested call connection. The call processing platform connects the calling party and the called party and sends a call detail record with billing data to the call management system.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Adam Christopher Edwards, Patrick Walter Brolsma
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Patent number: 8359003Abstract: An alternative billing system for communication service, comprising a gateway comprising a processor and a memory, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, receives a text message from an originating electronic device, determines that an account balance associated with the originating electronic device lacks sufficient funds to pay for origination of the text message, sends a message to a terminating electronic device identified by the text message to inquire if the terminating electronic device wants to be billed for the origination of the text message, when a message accepting billing for the origination of the text message is received from the terminating electronic device, sends the text message to the terminating electronic device, and when a message rejecting billing for the origination of the text message is received from the terminating electronic device, does not send the text message to the terminating electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Michael A. Gailloux, Kenneth W. Samson
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Patent number: 8320878Abstract: A communication system comprises network elements (103, 105, 107, 109) and user equipments (101), at least some of which comprise a charging proxy (205). The system further comprises a charging server (111) which includes a topic controller (305) for initializing charging topics where each charging topic is associable with charging data. The charging server (111) furthermore comprises functionality for registering proxies as subscribing proxies or publishing proxies (or both) for the different charging topics. A receiver (301, 311) receives charging data messages from charging proxies and validates a first set of charging data belonging to a first charging topic in response to a first set of charging proxies registered as publishing proxies for the first charging topic. A charging data transmitter (313) transmits the first set of charging data to a second set of charging proxies registered as subscribing proxies for the first charging topic.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Faramak Vakil, Dragan M. Boscovic, Marco Fratti, Surender Kumar
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Patent number: 8265242Abstract: A communication assistance system provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscriber listings. The system includes a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of callers desiring to access the information corresponding to the subscriber listings and a database directory listing for storing information corresponding to each one of the subscriber listings. The information in the subscriber listings include a Rate Plan field associated with billing rates corresponding to each one of the subscribers such that when the system connects the caller to the subscriber, the system employs the Rate Plan Field to determine the billing amount charged to the caller so that the subscriber is not billed for the call.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Grape Technology Group, Inc.Inventors: Robert Pines, Evan Marwell, John Blakeney, Christine Baumeister
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Patent number: 8239454Abstract: This invention enables people from the at-home viewing or listening audience of any television or radio broadcast to talk with each other to discuss the program's content on the telephone at any time before, during or after a show. In addition to discussion forums based on broadcast and print media content, the system provides premium priced telephone access to people with specific expertise, e.g., sports stars, politicians and a host of other specialists. Income is earned on a per-minute or flat-rate basis and billed to the caller primarily via credit card or their phone bill. Revenue can be derived from the sale of advertisement, e.g., mentions of the sponsor over the telephone during the initial greeting and within conferences, as well as from the licensing of the service to media networks as a value added service.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Inventor: Joseph Palermo
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Patent number: 8213585Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for automated distribution and indexing of prepaid calling card information comprises a central terminal operable to receive a request to purchase prepaid telephone services from an initiating terminal. The request comprises an identifier of a financial account to be used to purchase the prepaid telephone services. The central terminal is operable to electronically seek authorization for the request, initiate electronic debiting of the financial account using the identifier, and log a transaction indicating a purchase of prepaid telephone services in response to receipt of the authorization. The central terminal is operable to initiate electronic transmission, according to purchaser contact information, of calling card information from the central terminal to at least one electronic storage medium for access by a purchaser.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Corey W. Wick
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Patent number: 8160219Abstract: An inmate calls a call processing system and provides two phone numbers to it. The first phone number is for a 2nd Party who will accept the inmate's collect call and who will agree to pay any additional charge for adding a third party to the collect call. The second phone number is for a 3rd Party the inmate would like added to the collect call. The call processing system places the inmate on hold while the system dials the 2nd Party. When the 2nd Party accepts the inmate's collect call and agrees to pay for an additional fee for establishing a three-way call during the collect call, the inmate is taken off hold and is connected to the 2nd Party.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Inventor: Anthony Jeremiah Bayne
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Patent number: 8099076Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for setting up and billing a roaming communications connection between a first calling subscriber of a first communications network and a second called subscriber of the first and or another communications network who is checked into a roaming communications network. Billing data records concerning the accrued costs of the roaming connection are generated by the communications networks, are exchanged between billing systems of the communications networks, and the subscribers arc charged the costs of the roaming connection on the basis of the billing data records. According to the invention, the costs for a connection, which originates from the first, calling subscriber and which is incoming to the second, called subscriber are charged exclusively to the first subscriber under conditions individually agreed upon beforehand.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2005Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: T-Mobile International AG & Co. KG.Inventor: Gerhard Kramarz-Von Kohout
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Patent number: 8068590Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2006Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Keith S. Kelson, Michelle L. Polozola
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Patent number: 7961858Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide techniques providing account setup, management and transaction authorization determinations in real-time using transaction interrupt messaging. Embodiments preferably take into consideration the quality of one or more parties to the transaction and the means by which charges may be rendered to them when making account setup, management, and/or transaction authorization determinations. Accordingly, transactions, such as collect calls, meeting at least some minimal risk threshold may be completed on a first call attempt, even where a pre-arranged billing agreement or other business relationship is not previously in place.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michelle L. Polozola, Anthony Hershberger, Robert L. Rae, Marc Hite, Luke Keiser
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Patent number: 7876887Abstract: Prior to establishing a collect call, the called party agrees to pay an additional fee for any three-way call that may be established during the proposed collect call. If during the collect call, the called party attempts to add a third party to the collect call, a call processing system determines whether the third party's phone number is blocked from accepting a collect call. If the third party's phone number is blocked from accepting a collect call, the number will be dialed in an attempt to establish a three-way call. If the third person's phone number is not blocked from accepting a collect call, the called party to the original collect call will be advised that the phone number entered is not eligible for three-ways calling during the collect call, and the parties to the original collect call will be reconnected.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2006Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Inventor: Anthony Jeremiah Bayne
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Patent number: 7860226Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide techniques providing account setup, management and transaction authorization determinations in real-time using transaction interrupt messaging. Embodiments preferably take into consideration the quality of one or more parties to the transaction and the means by which charges may be rendered to them when making account setup, management, and/or transaction authorization determinations. Accordingly, transactions, such as collect calls, meeting at least some minimal risk threshold may be completed on a first call attempt, even where a pre-arranged billing agreement or other business relationship is not previously in place.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard Falcone, Robert Mudd, Timothy J. Murphy, Jimmie Jones, Jr., Marc Hite, Luke Keiser, Bruce Cooper, Michelle L. Polozola, Randy Hoffman
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Patent number: 7809120Abstract: Systems and methods for operator type calling and billing is accomplished by either automated operator instruction prompts, live operator instruction prompts or a combination of both automated and live operator prompts and live or automated billing verification and authorization processes. The operator call type and billing method can be used for operator calls such as calling card, credit card, collect, third party or person-to-person operator calls. In an embodiment the called party is given the option of paying for the incoming collect telephone call with a credit or debit card or with a calling card.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Inventor: Alfred T. Forrest, II
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Patent number: 7804944Abstract: A communication assistance system provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscriber listings. The system includes a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of callers desiring to access the information corresponding to the subscriber listings and a database directory listing for storing information corresponding to each one of the subscriber listings. The information in the subscriber listings include a Rate Plan field associated with billing rates corresponding to each one of the subscribers such that when the system connects the caller to the subscriber, the system employs the Rate Plan Field to determine the billing amount charged to the caller so that the subscriber is not billed for the call.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Inventors: Robert Pines, Evan Marwell, John Blakeney, Christine Baumeister
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Patent number: 7738642Abstract: A call agent (CA) connects a IP telephone and a public switching telephone on the basis of a called-destination telephone number which corresponds to received reverse-charging service number from the IP telephone; a reverse-charging service control apparatus causes an exchange to stop charging; the CA and the reverse-charging service control apparatus calculate a charging information items, respectively; and generate a fee information by setting a charged party information so that a sum of fees in an IP network and a public switching telephone network may be charged to the called-destination telephone number, and transmit the fee information to an IP/PSTN charging management apparatus on a called destination side; and generate other fee information so that a fee in the network on a call origination side may be charged to a business company of called destination, and transmit the fee information to the apparatus on a call origination side.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yusuke Honda, Satoshi Matsuhashi, Kouichi Shimizu
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Patent number: 7680483Abstract: Disclosed herein are a mobile contents access, transmission and reception method using a hyperlink message, the method allowing predetermined contents to be displayed or to be activated when a hyperlink of the hyperlink message is selected, the hyperlink message includes hyperlink information designating a connection point at which the contents will be executed on the terminal, and free communication identification information indicating that a communication fee normally charged to the terminal is not charged, the terminal adds an indication of free communication to the hyperlink message and displays them on a display means, the contents are activated in the terminal through the connection between the terminal and the connection point, and when the connection is terminated, the mobile communication provider server calculates the communication fee to be charged for the connection through, and stores it as billing information for the contents provider rather than billing information for the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Inventor: Nag-Ku Kim
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Patent number: 7643816Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a messaging system for managing communications resources and are particularly suitable for providing a means for subscribers of a telecommunications network to continue participating in a communications service that would otherwise be ended due to the calling party having a low or zero balance. Embodiments of the invention are generally applicable to users of a mobile network. Embodiments of the invention provide a messaging system for use by the telecommunications network to transmit a message to a remote party, where the remote party is identified by means of a telephone calling identifier associated with a call setup request for a telecommunications session received from a user of the telecommunications network. The messaging system comprises a storage system for storing data providing a predetermined definition of message content to be sent to the remote party.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: CVON Innovations LimitedInventors: Timo Romppanen, Ismo Antikainen
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Patent number: 7613449Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a messaging system for managing communications resources and are particularly suitable for providing a means for subscribers of a telecommunications network to continue participating in a communications service that would otherwise be ended due to the calling party having a low or zero balance. Embodiments of the invention are generally applicable to users of a mobile network. Embodiments of the invention provide a messaging system for use by the telecommunications network to transmit a message to a remote party, where the remote party is identified by means of a telephone calling identifier associated with a call setup request for a telecommunications session received from a user of the telecommunications network. The messaging system comprises a storage system for storing data providing a predetermined definition of message content to be sent to the remote party.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: CVON Innovations LimitedInventors: Timo Romppanen, Ismo Antikainen
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Patent number: 7599478Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing online charging in an IMS network. An IMS gateway system receives a first message from a CSCF through a first interface for a call session, and processes the first message to determine whether to contact an OCS for online charging for the call session. If the determination is to contact the OCS, then the IMS gateway system generates a second message that comprises a charging request to transmit to the OCS. The IMS gateway system then maps fields of the first message in the first protocol to fields in the second message in a second protocol used by the OCS, and transmits the second message to the OCS through a second interface. The second message provides the OCS the proper information to perform online charging functions for the call session.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.Inventors: Yigang Cai, Xiang Yang Li, Peng Wang, Jay Z. Zhao
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Patent number: 7519169Abstract: Systems and methods for the dissemination of information from a controlled environment facility employ facility information management functionality managing resident information and facility information, and call manager functionality selectively providing at least a portion of the resident information and/or the facility information to an outside party in an automated manner. The invention may employ outgoing IVR functionality to provide select portions of the resident information in response to the call manager recognizing that a call is a first call by a resident, or a first call to a particular telephone number by a resident. The invention may manage information related to providers of services or goods for residents of a facility, provide an outside party this information, and notify a selected provider of selection of that provider by the outside party to provide goods or services for a resident.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Evercom Systems, Inc.Inventors: Rajesh R. Hingoranee, Richard Falcone, Randy Hoffman, Luke Keiser, Marc Hite, Lee R. Johnson, Michelle L. Davis
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Patent number: 7492881Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Evercom Systems, Inc.Inventors: Marc Hite, Robert Mudd, Paula Jourde, Jimmie Jones, Jr., Richard Falcone
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Patent number: 7424102Abstract: There is disclosed a method for charging for services in a communication system supporting a Diameter IP protocol, comprising defining at least one attribute value pair to define sponsorship information.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Juha-Pekka Koskinen, Juha R. Vallinen
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Patent number: 7403603Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignees: AT&T Services, Inc., AT&T Teleholdings, Inc.Inventors: Dianna Inara Tiliks, Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Susanne Marie Crockett, Nancy Ann Book, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, William M. Moy, Kenneth Robert Stroud
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Patent number: 7218711Abstract: A billing system is provided for a communication assistance system that provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers. The billing system and communication assistance system include a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of requesters desiring access to the information corresponding to subscribers. A database stores the information corresponding to each of the subscribers, including their phone numbers. A billing record database is coupled to the switch and configured to store information corresponding to amount of time the requester was connected to each one of the subscribers. The communication assistance system provides instructions to the subscriber's service provider such that the subscriber is not billed for the call.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Inventors: Robert Pines, Evan Marwell, John Blakeney, Christine Baumeister
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Patent number: 7174155Abstract: The present invention relates to charging of communications using chargeable resources of a first communication system and a second communication system wherein at least one of said communication systems provides wireless communication services. In accordance with the method, after a set-up procedure for communications initiated a first procedure for obtaining a first charging component is triggered, the first charging component being associated with the first communication system and determined based on a first charging model. If required, a second procedure for obtaining a second charging component is also triggered, the second charging component being associated with the second communication system and determined based on a second charging model. Information associated with the communications in the first and second communication systems is processed simultaneously to obtain the respective first and second charging components. The first and second charging components are combined to obtain a total charge.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Karri Kotaluoto, Jukka Ahonen
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Patent number: 7158621Abstract: Inmates place free incoming calls to a call processing system and are prompted to choose between accessing a voice mail system and calling an outside party. If an outside party is to be called, an inmate provides a phone number and an outgoing call is placed to the outside party. If the outside party provides payment for the call, the inmate is connected to the outgoing call and the incoming call is terminated. If the outgoing call is not accepted, the inmate may record a voice message for the outside party in a voice mailbox assigned to the inmate. For an access fee, the outside party may access the voice mailbox assigned to the inmate. Advertising messages may be presented to inmates during incoming calls and/or to outside parties during outgoing calls. Advertising revenue may cover incoming call charges. Inmates and/or outside parties may record voice messages for advertisers.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Inventor: Anthony J. Bayne
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Patent number: 7149294Abstract: A method is described to provide an alternative telephone information service implemented by a service provider other than the telecommunication service used in the connection of the call. This independent information service provides the caller information services at a minimal or at no cost to the caller. The cost of the call to the caller is subsidized or entirely paid by promotion message sponsors in exchange for the caller listening, with possible interaction by the caller and rewards to the caller, to at least one sponsored promotional message prior to connection to the requested information. This service information includes telephone listings, weather, date/time, local/national news, traffic conditions, airplane schedules, text to voice translated caller e-mail, account member mailbox messages or other information of interest to the local or national caller.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Inventor: Christopher O'Donnell
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Patent number: 7095832Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignees: Ameritech Corporation, SBC Services, Inc.Inventors: Dianna Inara Tiliks, Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Susanne Marie Crockett, Nancy Ann Book, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, William M. Moy, Kenneth Robert Stroud
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Patent number: 7042992Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide techniques providing account setup, management and transaction authorization determinations in real-time using transaction interrupt messaging. Embodiments preferably take into consideration the quality of one or more parties to the transaction and the means by which charges may be rendered to them when making account setup, management, and/or transaction authorization determinations. Accordingly, transactions, such as collect calls, meeting at least some minimal risk threshold may be completed on a first call attempt, even where a pre-arranged billing agreement or other business relationship is not previously in place.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Evercom Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard Falcone, Robert Mudd, Timothy J. Murphy, Jimmie Jones, Jr., Marc Hite, Luke Keiser
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Patent number: 7013002Abstract: A method of providing collect call service includes receiving a request for a collect call from a calling party (18). A selected number to call is received. A call is placed to a receiving party (20). Agreeability of the receiving party (20) to accept the credit card billing for the collect call is determined. The calling party (18) is connected to the receiving party (20) in response to the acceptance.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.Inventors: Michael P. Link, Kenneth A. Skupien, Pepper Mulherin
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Patent number: 6977999Abstract: A call agent(CA) connects a IP telephone and a public switching telephone on the basis of a called-destination telephone number which corresponds to received reverse-charging service number from the IP telephone; a reverse-charging service control apparatus causes an exchange to stop charging; the CA and the reverse-charging service control apparatus calculate a charging information items, respectively; and generate a fee information by setting a charged party information so that a sum of fees in an IP network and a public switching telephone network may be charged to the called-destination telephone number, and transmit the fee information to an IP/PSTN charging management apparatus on a called destination side; and generate other fee information so that a fee in the network on a call origination side may be charged to a business company of called destination, and transmit the fee information to the apparatus on a call origination side.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Hitachi Communication Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Yusuke Honda, Satoshi Matsuhashi, Kouichi Shimizu
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Patent number: 6850605Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignees: Ameritech Corporation, SBC Services, Inc.Inventors: Dianna Inara Tiliks, Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Susanne Marie Crockett, Nancy Ann Book, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, William M. Moy, Kenneth Robert Stroud
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Patent number: 6850756Abstract: The invention relates to a method for charging for telecommunications links in a communications network. When a setup request for a communications link which is directed to a communications terminal and incurs a charge for a charge account associated with the communications terminal is deleted, a network node in the communications network performs sequences for setting up the communications link and forwarding sequences for setting up a forwarding communications link. To bill telecommunication charges securely and reliably at all times, even in the course of roaming, forwarding information is stored in a memory network node in the communications network during the forwarding sequences. Debiting of communication charges for the communications link from the charge account associated with the communications terminal is prevented if the memory network node stores the forwarding information.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Berg, Ronald Heine
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Patent number: 6816580Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.Inventor: Timothy A. Timmins
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Patent number: 6807258Abstract: A method and system for billing remote calls includes the provisioning of an active terminating attempt trigger on a subscriber's primary line. To make a long-distance call from a remote location, the subscriber calls a service control node and provides a destination calling line number and the subscriber's primary line number (e.g., home telephone number). The SCN assembles the data into a string and includes a feature access code. This string is transmitted to a switch that recognizes the feature access code and transmits a message to a service control point. The service control point also recognizes the feature access code and reassembles the message into a call structure containing the primary line number, the destination line number, and a code indicating that the message should be reassembled. This message is transmitted back to the switch which then routes the call to the primary line switch where the trigger is encountered.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventor: Dale W. Malik
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Patent number: 6788771Abstract: A method of operating a telecommunications device wherein the telecommunications device is used to detect an outgoing call from a calling party to a called number. The calling number is used to determine whether or not the calling party is a universal service user. If it is determined that the called number is among a class of numbers exempt from charges, the call is connected. A determination on the sufficiency of funds in a pre-paid account is made. If it is determined that there are insufficient funds in a pre-paid account to cover charges associated with the outgoing call, a message is generated and sent to the calling party or a third party requesting authorization to charge an additional fee for connecting the calling party with the called party and providing related information or application services. User input is received from the calling party, indicating the calling party's authorization of such charge. The connection between the calling party and the called party is made.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: FreeTech, L.L.C.Inventor: Charles L. Manto
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Publication number: 20040058670Abstract: A telecommunication call service is provided that directs incoming and/or outgoing cellular call charges to be billed to another payment party when placed to a telephone number specified by the payment party. The payment party has pre-established a list of telephone numbers with call direction authorized to be placed with the wireless number and identifies payment means in a payment account to be directly debited by the financed payment manager application for the authorized wireless calls. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an originating telephone switch detecting a specific prepaid wireless subscriber/other party telephone number pair directs the call to an Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP) for call handling under the financed payment service feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2002Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Joseph Pohutsky, Alan Perunovich, Scott R. Trichon, Timothy J. Lorello
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Publication number: 20040042597Abstract: The present system for automatically billing direct dialed calls to a subscriber designated third party number enables a subscriber to generate a list of called numbers, each of which has associated with it a third party billing number. Whenever the subscriber dials a called number from their home location, the Local Exchange Carrier automatically compares the direct dialed number with the numbers stored on this list. If the Local Exchange Carrier identifies a match, the charges for the direct dialed call are automatically and directly billed to the third party number on the list. The list is typically stored and managed by an Alternate Billing Server maintained by the third party but can also be stored and managed by the Local Exchange Carrier or the Inter-Exchange Carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2002Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventors: William Stanley Atkins, William Jackson Bushnell
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Patent number: 6639977Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that allows a calling party to call a destination number and, upon approval of the called party, reverse the billing of the telephone call so that it is deducted from an account owned and maintained by the called party other than the account associated with the destination number. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving a predetermined access number from a calling party; prompting for a destination number; notifying a called party of the call they are receiving; allowing the called party to accept the call and enter a number associated with an account other than the telephone service account of the destination telephone number; verifying the account number and whether the account has sufficient value available; completing the telephone call to the destination number; and processing the charges associated with the call to be charged against the account.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Evercom Systems, Inc.Inventors: Bobb Swope, Donald B. Vaello
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Publication number: 20030198325Abstract: Inmates place free incoming calls to a call processing system and are prompted to choose between accessing a voice mail system and calling an outside party. If an outside party is to be called, an inmate provides a phone number and an outgoing call is placed to the outside party. If the outside party provides payment for the call, the inmate is connected to the outgoing call and the incoming call is terminated. If the outgoing call is not accepted, the inmate may record a voice message for the outside party in a voice mailbox assigned to the inmate. For an access fee, the outside party may access the voice mailbox assigned to the inmate. Advertising messages may be presented to inmates during incoming calls and/or to outside parties during outgoing calls. Advertising revenue may cover incoming call charges. Inmates and/or outside parties may record voice messages for advertisers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2002Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventor: Anthony J. Bayne
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Patent number: 6584183Abstract: A method of operating a telecommunications device wherein the telecommunications device is used to detect an outgoing call from a calling party to a called number. The calling number is used to determine whether or not the calling party is a universal service user. If it is determined that the called number is among a class of numbers exempt from charges, the call is connected. A determination on the sufficiency of funds in a pre-paid account is made. If it is determined that there are insufficient funds in a pre-paid account to cover charges associated with the outgoing call, a message is generated and sent to the calling party or a third party requesting authorization to charge an additional fee for connecting the calling party with the called party. User input is received from the calling party, indicating the calling party's authorization of such charge. The connection between the calling party and the called party is made.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Inventor: Charles L. Manto
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Patent number: 6577718Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Charles Robert Kalmanek, Jr., William Todd Marshall, Partho Pratim Mishra, Douglas M Nortz, Kadangode K. Ramakrishnan
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Publication number: 20030076940Abstract: A method of operating a telecommunications device wherein the telecommunications device is used to detect an outgoing call from a calling party to a called number. The calling number is used to determine whether or not the calling party is a universal service user. If it is determined that the called number is among a class of numbers exempt from charges, the call is connected. A determination on the sufficiency of funds in a pre-paid account is made. If it is determined that there are insufficient funds in a pre-paid account to cover charges associated with the outgoing call, a message is generated and sent to the calling party or a third party requesting authorization to charge an additional fee for connecting the calling party with the called party and providing related information or application services. User input is received from the calling party, indicating the calling party's authorization of such charge. The connection between the calling party and the called party is made.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventor: Charles L. Manto
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Patent number: 6546238Abstract: Landline facilities are linked to a wireless mobile network for calling party pays (CPP) calls to mobile stations. In response to placement of a telephone call to a CPP subscriber station, a land line network data base is accessed to obtain a call processing record for the called station that is indicative that the called station subscribes to CPP service. Based on the call processing record, a determination is made as to whether the call is be accorded exception status from CPP service. If the call is to receive such exception status, a signaling message is transmitted to the mobile switching center (MSC) for the called subscriber station. The signaling message includes the calling station telephone number in altered form. The MSC, upon detection of the altered telephone number, effectively recognizes the call as a normal call. The MSC will complete the call to the called party and establish in the called party subscriber's billing record assessment of air time charges for the call to the called party.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc.Inventors: John Nightingale, Thomas Theohary