Abstract: A method, a missed call client application (MCCA) deployed on a calling party device, and a missed call management system (MCMS) are provided for placing a missed call from a source number of the calling party device to a destination number of a called party device. The MCMS receives the source number and the destination number from the calling party device through a data network or a telecommunication network based on a presence of connectivity between the calling party device and the data network as detected by the MCCA. The MCMS places a missed call from the source number to the destination number by placing a call to the destination number with an identification of an originator of the call as the source number and terminating the call when the call successfully reaches the destination number prior to completion of the call.

Abstract: Context based multi-model communication in customer service is disclosed. In one innovative aspect, an architecture is provided. The architecture includes an application configured to perform a plurality of sets of functions addressable through a function identifier. Included is a wrapper around the application operable to receive notifications from a plurality of remote locations to address one or more sets of functions via the function identifier. The wrapper is arranged to send to a remote server an application identifier associated with the application and device information, upon first execution of the application by the processor. The device information includes at least a device identifier in the network it is operating with.

Abstract: An inbound call connection request may be received from a non-resident, directed to a controlled-environment facility resident and/or the resident's device. A determination may be made that a calling account of the resident does not have sufficient funds to pay for the inbound call, whereupon a message may be provided to the non-resident offering billing options, including at least a wireless carrier billing option, to complete the call connection. The call may be connected with the resident device in response to a determination a calling account of the inmate has sufficient funds to pay for the call or acceptance of one of the payment methods by the non-resident, along with authentication that the non-resident is associated with an address identifier (AID) of the resident device, and verification that the resident operating the device is associated with the AID of the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile communication system and, more particularly, to a method for performing offline indication of a machine type communication (MTC) device in an MTC service. A network entity checks (or searches) whether or not an MTC device is out of monitoring or management because it is in an offline state. A network entity repeatedly transmits a signal for checking whether or not the UE is currently in an offline state to the UE during operation time of a timer, namely, during a detection time, or checks a signal (e.g., a message of an attach procedure, a message of a location registration procedure, and the like) transmitted by the UE during the detection time to check whether or not the UE is in an offline state. When the UE is checked to be in an offline state, the network entity informs an MTC server or an MTC user accordingly, to thus automatically manage a loss, malfunction, or the like, of the MTC device.

Abstract: A communication system providing telephony communication across combined circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as a telephone network and the Internet, which are connectable to terminals, such as telephones and computers, for selective communication therebetween. The communication system includes an authorization and account control object in the packet switched network, multiple gateways between the circuit switched and packet switched networks providing controlled connectivity between those networks, and an information retrieval object in the packet switched network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a message in Caller-ID information are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, an applications server, such as service control point (SCP), substitutes a message for Caller-ID information when a switch serving the called party's line requests the Caller-ID information. An embodiment may also include an application that provides a user interface, for example, a web-enabled interface, to allow the subscriber to add or change the message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to another party participating in the call or may be related to a third party (e.g., an advertiser that paid for the ability to have its content presented). Presented content may be actuable, and allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list.

Abstract: A system and method for managing contact information is provided. In one implementation, for example, a method comprises accessing a contact record associated with a user of a user communication device, the contact record comprising at least one originating identifier identifying the user communication device and at least one contact field identifying contact information of a contact associated with the user. A contact record map is generated in which an alias identifier is assigned for the contact record. A destination identifier is selected from a plurality of available destination identifiers and assigned to the contact associated with the user. The assigned destination identifier is unique with respect to other contacts associated with the user. The alias identifier and the destination identifier are to the origination identifier identifying the user communication device within the contact record map.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for filtering an incoming call to a communication device. The communication device stores a default ring duration M and a default call frequency N. The communication device may calculate the ring duration of an incoming call, and further determines whether the ring duration reaches the default ring duration M. If the ring duration does not reach the default ring duration M, the communication device determines whether a call frequency of the incoming call reaches the default call frequency N. If the call frequency reaches the default call frequency N, the communication device blocks a phone number of the incoming call.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for identifying the carrier to which a phone, such as a mobile phone, subscribes in real time, at the time a call is originating from or terminating to the mobile phone. Where both parties to a call are subscribers to the same carrier, the methods can be used for applying preferential call rates to intra-carrier calls, e.g., making the calls free. The methods are particularly useful in the telephony networks with local number portability, in which the mere identification of the phone number does not necessarily identify the carrier to which the phone subscribes. The methods can use either existing databases to identify the carrier, such as LERG (Local Exchange Routing Guide) tables, number portability databases, name databases, and home location registers, or a new database can be created correlating mobile phone directory numbers with carriers.

Abstract: A method, a system, a server, and a computer program product are provided for Multimedia Capability discovery of different user terminals. Unnecessary use of the radio interface is avoided based on a network storage, which is accessible without registration to find out about the calling as well as the called user's multimedia capabilities during a voice call. If there is a positive capability discovery result out of this for both users, the system sends a message to each of the user terminals that they should notify the users, e.g., by displaying an icon above a soft button. There is no need for establishing a packet switched session, which uses a lot of radio interface signalling, until the Multimedia Service capability of both subscribers and their user terminals is investigated and responded to both user terminals and their users.

Abstract: Calls to a wireless telephone number that are to be redirected by a gateway switch to another number can be properly billed, even if the wireless telephone number is ported to another service provider by billing the wireless telephone number subscriber for the charge that would have been incurred by placing a call to the forwarded number from the mobile telephone located in its home service area.

Abstract: An advanced intelligent network (AIN) telephony service permits users of a dedicated access line (DAL) service to place toll free calls over the DAL, even when the long distance network cannot query a national toll free database, such as a national service management system (SMS). A switch in the long distance network, which cannot access the toll free network, receives the toll free call and forwards the toll free call to a switch that can access the national toll free database. In one embodiment, the switch that can access the national toll free database resides in a local exchange carrier (LEC) network. Thus, the DAL subscribers do not have to route toll free calls over local trunks.

Abstract: A system for storing information in a network. The system includes one or more network elements and a message adapted for transfer between the one or more network elements. A mechanism selectively augments the message with information pertaining to a state associated with the one or more network elements. In one embodiment, the system includes space within the message for accommodating one or more state vias containing the state information. One or more computers associated with the one or more network elements are adapted to update the message with state information pertaining to each of the one or more network elements that receives the message via the network.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide for processing of calls by determining when a called number is associated with telephone having a portable interface and providing call processing adapted for addressing issues associated with a portable interface. Call processing may provide for point of demand processing of calls to facilitate completion of calls in real-time, even when such calls are directed to a wireless telephone, a telephone for which LNP has been utilized, or other telephone having a portable interface. If an appropriate relationship has not been already been established for facilitating a call to a telephone having a portable interface, embodiments operate to establish such a relationship. When it is determined that a called number is associated with telephone having a portable interface, embodiments operate to invoke rating schemes appropriate to the called number, possibly including flat rate schemes and rating determined using current location determination.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for making a call. Such methods and systems may request the call using a network, initiate a first leg to a caller device based on the request, initiate a second leg to a receiver device based on the request, connect the first leg and the second leg to make the call, and bill the call to a account associated with the subscriber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for billing for a query to a network element are disclosed. Generally, data in a database is accessed in response to a query received from a first network element, wherein the data is associated with a data owner. Information is then transmitted to a second network element, wherein the information identifies the first network element and the data owner associated with the accessed data. In some implementations, the first network element includes a service switching point and the second network element includes a billing center.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein include a method and system for billing for the use of a service control point (“SCP”). In one presently preferred embodiment, an SCP receives a query from a service switching point (“SSP”) and accesses data in a database in response to the query. The accessed data is associated with a data owner. The SCP tracks that the SSP sent the query and that the data owner's data was accessed in response to the query. After a plurality of queries have been received and tracked, the SCP creates a billing record and sends it to a billing center. Using the billing record, the billing center can charge the SSP for the use of the SCP. These preferred embodiments provide an efficient way for charging for the usage of an SCP, especially when the SSP querying the SCP is owned by a different telecommunications company.

Abstract: Systems and methods for management and processing a plurality of types of telecommunication invoices at a user's site involving importing the plurality of types of telecommunication invoices to identify and process telecommunications billing exceptions by performing an automated reasonability test on comparable telecommunication billing elements are provided.

Abstract: A mobile switching center is configured with software instructions which allow it to continue to provide at least limited call termination and call origination services for mobile terminals in the event of a failure of a signaling link between the mobile switching center and a home location register and/or a signal control point (SCP) in an intelligent network. For pre-paid callers originating or terminating a call, the mobile switching center marks a call detail record as indicating that the call is a post-paid call. The call detail record is later provided to the SCP after the signaling link has been restored in order to bill the mobile terminal. In one example, the signaling link between the mobile switching center and the home location register or SCP may be a satellite link, which may go down for various reasons such as for maintenances, an unexpected failure, or the orbit of the satellite goes outside the field of reception of an antenna in the signal path.

Abstract: A method and system for handling a packet data service wherein, proceeding from the handling of a packet data service by a service network node of a packet data network to which communication terminal equipment is connected for the transmission of packet data, it occurs that a data switching function of an interworking of the packet data service with network functions of an intelligent network is interconnected to the service network node, and the setting of at least one threshold for the packet data transmission is undertaken by the service control function for monitoring a packet data stream in the packet data network wherein the service control function communicates this threshold to the service switching function.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for making a call. In one embodiment, methods and systems may request the call using a network, initiate a first leg to a caller device based on the request, initiate a second leg to a receiver device based on the request, connect the first leg and the second leg to make the call, and bill the call to a account associated with a subscriber.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for bill payment over a PSTN. The method can include processing a call in the PSTN to establish a telephonic connection between a caller and a call center configured to process bill payments. The method further can include resolving an identity for the caller separate from the established telephonic connection. The identity can be routed to the call center over a data communications link unrelated to the telephonic connection. Finally, a bill payment process can be managed for the caller within the call center based upon the routed identity. Preferably, the resolving step can include querying a LIDB through a name resolution adapter disposed in the PSTN for identifying information for the caller. Further more, the processing step can include performing the resolving step responsive to receiving an SS7 message in an SCP to set up the telephonic connection between the caller and the call center.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a message in Caller-ID information are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, an applications server, such as service control point (SCP), substitutes a message for Caller-ID information when a switch serving the called party's line requests the Caller-ID information. An embodiment may also include an application that provides a user interface, for example, a web-enabled interface, to allow the subscriber to add or change the message.

Abstract: An Intranet/Internet/Web-based data management tool that provides a common GUI enabling the requesting, customizing, scheduling and viewing of various types of unpriced call detail data reports pertaining to a customer's telecommunications network traffic. The Intranet/Internet/Web-based reporting system tool comprises a novel Web-based, client-server application that enables customers to access their own relevant data information timely, rapidly and accurately through a client GUI. A traffic view server is provided that enables periodic acquisition of data from the customer's telecommunications network at a user-specified frequency and configured to meet real-time traffic reporting requirements. The system infrastructure provided enables secure initiation, acquisition, and presentation of unpriced call detail and statistical data reports to customers.

Abstract: A method for making a long distance or international telephone call is disclosed. A subscriber calls an assigned telephone number to access a sign-up calling plan service billed to a home plan at the home plan rates, and responds to a service announcement by entering the subscriber's home telephone number and a personal identification number that validates the caller. Another service announcement is responded to by the subscriber entering a selection responsive to whether the long distance call is an international call or not. To complete the call, the subscriber enters the long distance telephone number.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for using a standard private branch exchange (PBX), such as e.g., the Lucent Technologies, Inc. DEFINITY® PBX, for interfacing with a wireless (e.g., cellular, etc.) communication network and the public switched telephone network (PSTN). The system employs an adjunct controller and uses computer telephony integration (CTI) associated with a standard PBX to communicate directly with an audio switch and the PSTN. Through the use of CTI, the standard PBX also provides feedback to the caller. For example, when an inbound call arrives (i.e., from the PSTN to a radio transceiver), the adjunct controller determines whether the wireless system has available resources (i.e., an available link) to grant calls and instructs the PBX to provide an audio connection between dynamically assigned wireless links (e.g., RF channels). If no link is available, a busy signal is referred back to the PSTN, and eventually back to the originating switch.

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 system for charging a subscriber (10) in a telecommunications network comprising nodes (11 and 12) connected to a mediator unit (14), whereby a billing unit (15) comprising the subscriber's (10) charging data can be located outside the network used, preferably in the subscriber's (10) home network, in a subscriber identity module (SIM) or behind an open service architecture (OSA) associated with the network, the method comprising the following steps of: noting in the nodes (11 and 12) the event data related to the services used by the subscriber (10) and reporting the event data to the mediator unit (14), the event data being converted substantially in real time in the mediator unit (14) by applying the network charging algorithms to provide a charging data format understandable to the billing unit (15), expressed preferably as an amount of money spent or as charging pulses, for the updating of the subscriber's (10) charging data between the mediator unit (14) and the billing unit

Abstract: A preferred method for billing for utilization of a communications network includes receiving routing information corresponding to routing of data via the communications network. Thereafter, the routing information may be correlated with a transaction model and billing information may be generated based upon the correlated information. Systems and computer readable media also are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for alerting wireless telephone users whether a call is a toll call. This invention provides communication subscribers with a notification when placing a toll call to either other wireless or landline subscribers. The notification may be a toll notification informing the subscriber that a long distance call is about to be placed. The notification means may be a pre-recorded message, tone alert, e-mail message or any other means of alerting the user. Advantageously, the caller may terminate the call upon notification that he has engaged in a toll call, prior to the call being connected to the called party. The result is that the user is fully aware and in control when placing calls that he may not recognize are toll calls, due to impacts from local number portability or roaming of the wireless user.

Abstract: A calling-party-pays gateway operative for billing a surcharge for a telecommunication service to an account associated with a calling line number. The calling-party-pays gateway is configured for connection between a telephone system and a switch servicing a group of terminating stations such that all communications directed to terminating stations serviced by the switch are routed through the gateway. When the gateway receives a connection request defining a communication directed to a terminating station serviced by the switch, the gateway determines whether the terminating station is associated with an account that requires the surcharge to be billed to the account associated with the calling line number. If the terminating station is associated with an account that requires the surcharge to be billed to the account associated with the calling line number, the gateway determines whether the account associated with the calling line number is pre-approved to receive the surcharge.

Abstract: This invention relates to user access device to intelligent services of an intelligent network (IN) comprising a service control point (2) that communicates with at least one group of physical entities (4, 6, 8) designed to provide at least one initial service element, and with several auxiliary platforms (10i) designed to provide users with additional service elements for completing the initial service element.

Abstract: A dynamic transaction network having multiple management stations, one or more terminals, and one or more databases is disclosed. The dynamic transaction network is capable of adding and removing network hosts (terminals, databases, and management stations) in real-time while continuing to service transaction requests. In addition, the dynamic transaction network is capable of transferring database fragments from a source database to a target database in real-time. In response to a transaction request from a caller, the terminal accesses information stored in a corresponding database via dynamic transportable logic. The dynamic transportable logic derives the location of relevant information in the database from input characteristic(s) of the transaction request.

Abstract: Known intelligent network architectures do not comprise a mechanism by means of which it would be possible to notify a service control point (SCP) of a recurrent use of supplementary services or of the activation of the supplementary services at a service switching point (SSP). In accordance with the invention, the service control point (SCP) informs a mobile services switching center (MSC) in a message RequestNotificationCharging of the events the mobile services switching center (MSC) is to report to the service control point (SCP). The mobile services switching center (MSC) reports the existence of said events to the service control point (SCP) in a message EventNotificationCharging.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein include a method and system for billing for the use of a service control point (“SCP”). In one presently preferred embodiment, an SCP receives a query from a service switching point (“SSP”) and accesses data in a database in response to the query. The accessed data is associated with a data owner. The SCP tracks that the SSP sent the query and that the data owner's data was accessed in response to the query. After a plurality of queries have been received and tracked, the SCP creates a billing record and sends it to a billing center. Using the billing record, the billing center can charge the SSP for the use of the SCP. These preferred embodiments provide an efficient way for charging for the usage of an SCP, especially when the SSP querying the SCP is owned by a different telecommunications company.

Abstract: A system and method for alerting wireless telephone users whether a call is a toll call. This invention provides communication subscribers with a notification when placing a toll call to either other wireless or landline subscribers. The notification may be a toll notification informing the subscriber that a long distance call is about to be placed. The notification means may be a pre-recorded message, tone alert, e-mail message or any other means of alerting the user. Advantageously, the caller may terminate the call upon notification that he has engaged in a toll call, prior to the call being connected to the called party. The result is that the user is fully aware and in control when placing calls that he may not recognize are toll calls, due to impacts from local number portability or roaming of the wireless user.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting call detail record (CDR) data in a multi-site enterprise environment and providing call accounting services based on such information. A single multi-site IP buffer box (MIBB) receives CDR data from several private branch exchange (PBX) units over an IP network in real time. The MIBB maintains a table with the IP addresses of each PBX unit from which CDR data may be received. Each IP address is associated with a particular PBX and/or enterprise site. For each CDR ticket received, the MIBB identifies the particular PBX unit transmitting the CDR ticket based on the source address of the transmitting PBX unit. The MIBB then generates a CDR message including the CDR data and information on the particular PBX unit and/or enterprise site to which the CDR data pertains. The MIBB transmits the CDR message to a call accounting processor over a serial or network connection if the call accounting processor is enabled.

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 telecommunications network includes computing intelligence for billing call processing on a per transaction basis. In particular, a customer is charged separately for each usage of a remote computing resource that assists in call processing. The remote computing resource, may be, for example, an intelligent call router located within the telecommunications network or on a customer's premises. The transaction billing performed by the present invention results in equitable billing of customers based upon use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packet generating method for multiplexing one program composed of digital image, digital sound or digital data, or multiplexing and transmitting plural programs, a data multiplexing method using the same, and an apparatus for coding and decoding such transmission data, and the invention further relates to a packet generating method for generating a packet row of digital data, containing a change identifier for identifying change of digital data in the packet row, and multiplexing so that the packet containing this change identifier may be disposed closest to the packet containing the changed digital data, among packets containing various change identifiers in the packet row, a data multiplexing method using the same, and an apparatus for coding and decoding such transmission data.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring telecommunications traffic is disclosed. When a switch receives a call request, the switch sends a query message to a service controller. The service controller identifies the call request as a request to place a special service call and therefore returns to the switch a special service code, which causes the switch to route the call via a special looparound circuit to a destination. A signaling path associated with the looparound circuit passes through a designated network entity, which can therefore monitor the start and end of the call. An SCP or other network entity can then take appropriate action in response to the status of the call. The invention is particularly useful in facilitating robust account balance service such as prepaid calling.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein include a method and system for billing for the use of a service control point (“SCP”). In one presently preferred embodiment, an SCP receives a query from a service switching point (“SSP”) and accesses data in a database in response to the query. The accessed data is associated with a data owner. The SCP tracks that the SSP sent the query and that the data owner's data was accessed in response to the query. After a plurality of queries have been received and tracked, the SCP creates a billing record and sends it to a billing center. Using the billing record, the billing center can charge the SSP for the use of the SCP. These preferred embodiments provide an efficient way for charging for the usage of an SCP, especially when the SSP querying the SCP is owned by a different telecommunications company.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method for providing access to the Internet on a pre-paid or pay-per-use basis that utilizes an Advanced Intelligent Network (“AIN”) to set up a dial up connection between a subscriber and an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”). The telecommunications system communicates with the ISP's computer systems to coordinate verification of callers attempting access to the ISP. The system uses features of the AIN to identify a call as a pre-authorized call so that the ISP grants access without requiring a username and a password from a caller. If the ISP receives a call that is not so identified, the caller is treated as regular ISP subscriber, and requires a username and a password to authenticate the caller prior to granting access to the ISP's resources. The present invention further utilizes the telephone service provider's billing systems to aggregate bills and collect revenue from subscribers.

Abstract: 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 provide 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.