Abstract: A method for location-dependent billing for a services that are available to a mobile terminal, a local communication connection is set up to a fixably installed external location tag with a corresponding wireless interface between the fixably installed tag and the mobile terminal, the method including the steps of accessing the external location tag and transmitting a billing rate code from the external location tag to the mobile terminal, forwarding the billing rate code from the mobile terminal to a central unit of a mobile communication network, in which the mobile terminal is logged, determining a geographic location identification of the external location tag by evaluation of the billing rate code at the central unit, and selecting a billing rate for billing for the service available to the user based on the billing rate code at the central unit.

Abstract: Interpersonal communications initiated from devices such as various phones and voice/chat devices automatically transport via an optimal path by invoking a service selector of communication mediums for selecting at least one of several alternate routing paths for user communications from among available communication mediums common to both an initiator and recipient. A user registration database identifies communication mediums applicable to each user, and identifies or maps an appropriate communication medium between users for completing a particular call. The service selector identifies and intercepts an outgoing communication attempt (call, email, text) from a user, identifies the user and recipient in the database, and selects an optimal communication medium defining an alternate routing path from the initially specified (i.e. default) transport mechanism.

Abstract: A system and a method in a wireless network utilizing session initiation protocol (SIP) for call control. The SIP payload (SDP) contains a list of available transcoders (codecs) to coordinate transcoder selection to allow for the minimization of transcoders. An additional aspect of the embodiment of the present invention includes a serving MSCe that is operable to determine whether to initiate ringback to the calling party. If ring back is to be initiated, ringback can be initiated from the serving MSCe or from a network element supporting the calling party. The call negotiation process according to the described embodiment of the invention eliminates the requirement for any transcoding in specific situations to result in the number of transcoders used in the voice bearer path to be reduced to 0 (TrFO, Transcoder Free Operation) or to 1 (RTO, remote transmitter operation).

Abstract: Peering partners register with a peering grid for direct broadband routing of call offers. The peering grid terminates call offers on behalf of peering partners, collecting call detail records, summarizing termination usage, and calculating a payment to be provided to the peering partner in return for using the services of the peering grid.

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: A method and apparatus for enabling VoIP service providers to dynamically adjust international calling rates as a function of adjustments made with partner carrier arrangements that VoIP service providers put in place are disclosed. Thus VoIP service providers can pass on savings, if the new calling rate is lower than the old calling rate, to their subscribers in order to enhance the loyalty of existing subscribers. Instead of having subscribers to call into customer service centers to take advantage of these new lower international calling rates, the new calling rates will be updated dynamically and immediately for subscribers without these subscribers having to call in to request their billing rates to match the new calling rates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for processing a database query between one or more clients and one or more databases. The database query, which is formatted using a first protocol, is received from one of the clients. One of the databases is selected to process the database query and the database query is translated from the first protocol to a second protocol. The translated database query is then sent to the selected database for processing. A response to the database query, which is formatted using the second protocol, is received from the selected database and the response is translated from the second protocol to the first protocol. The present invention determines which of the clients sent the database query and sends the translated response to the client that sent the database query. This method can be implemented as a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium.

Abstract: A telecommunications billing system includes a customer database, a usage database and a billing module. The customer database is configured to store subscription data identifying a pricing plan including an allotment of shared telecommunication units in connection with at least one of a first telecommunications service and a second telecommunications service. The usage database is configured to store a first set of telecommunications service usage data associated with the first telecommunications service and a second set of telecommunications service usage data associated with the second telecommunications service. The billing module is configured to calculate excess charges when a cumulative usage that includes a sum of the first set of telecommunications service usage data and the second set of telecommunications service usage data exceeds the allotment of shared telecommunications units.

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: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and computer-readable media for achieving a higher call completion rate in a system experiencing a mass calling event. The present invention has several practical applications in the technical arts including optimizing use of network resources during a mass calling event. In various embodiments, a network's resources are efficiently utilized by way of sampling a network element's control processing unit utilization. Additionally, the various embodiments respond by selecting to negatively acknowledging callers in a mass calling event state in order to prevent system components from becoming overloaded. Overloaded network system components lead to such issues as dropped signaling packets, and higher percentages of call failures. Embodiments of the invention are directed to achieving optimal call completion in the case of a mass calling event.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly flexible system that can receive SMDR messages in many different formats and process these messages to produce useful reports and control information. The system can collect data via a LAN/WAN connection from PBX systems with internal data storage, PBX systems without internal data storage and legacy PBX systems that are connected to a buffer for storage of SMDR records.

Abstract: A telecommunications system utilizes a central database to determine characteristics for international calls, to facilitate call routing for international calls, or both. The central database includes termination information for telephone numbers in multiple nations outside the North American Numbering Plan. In one aspect, an interexchange switch receives a termination number for an international call from a local exchange carrier and uses information from the central database to help complete the call. In another aspect, the central database receives a telephone number from a remote user such as interexchange carrier (IXC) and, in response, transmits termination information to the remote user to identify whether the telephone number uses wireless termination. The remote user may then charge a customer for wireless termination, if appropriate, possibly even before the remote user receives an invoice that reflects wireless termination charges from a foreign wireless carrier.

Abstract: A method for location-dependent billing for a service available to a user with a mobile terminal having an identification module. Via a wireless interface of the identification module, a local communication connection is set up to at least one external location tag with a corresponding wireless interface. The method includes determining a location identification through evaluation of data of the at least one external location tag; and selecting a billing rate for billing for the service available to the user based on the determined location of the at least on external location tag.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method provides a time slicing capability whereby alternate services, such as advertising, can be provided to a party while being kept on hold. Thus, charges associated with portions of the call during which alternate services are provided can be billed to other parties, such as advertisers, and the cost for the call to the caller or the called party can be reduced. The connection between the caller and the called party is maintained during the time that alternate services are being provided so that when either the caller or the called party is available to accept or resume a call, the alternate services are terminated and the caller and called party are reconnected.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and provides a billing method and system, and a billing server. The method includes: generating, by a PBX, billing ticket information and reporting the billing ticket information to a billing server when an incoming call from an external user to an internal user of the PBX, an outgoing call from an internal user of the PBX, or a call between internal users of the PBX occurs; receiving and storing, by the billing server, the billing ticket information reported from the PBX; initiating, by the billing server, a service connection to a billing center through the PBX, or triggering, by the billing server, a fixed wireless station to initiate a service connection to a billing center directly when the PBX system is in an idle state; and sending, by the billing server, the stored billing ticket information to the billing center after the connection is established successfully.

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: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for sharing charging information between a home IMS network and a visited IMS network. If a signaling message for a session is received in the visited IMS network, the visited IMS network assigns a visited charging identifier (e.g., ICID), and shares the visited charging identifier with the home IMS network through signaling messages. Similarly, the home IMS network assigns a home charging identifier, and shares the home charging identifier with the visited IMS network through signaling messages. When CDRs are generated in the home IMS network and the visited IMS network, the networks include the home charging identifier and the visited charging identifier in the CDRs so that billing systems may more easily correlate the CDRs from the different IMS networks.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a collect call method and system thereof, more particularly, in order to charge the called party with a uniform toll for collect call, which is determined by only the type and location of called party terminal. In one embodiment, the collect call method, system and a counsel service providing method use a free VoIP network for part of the voice call link and a charge PSTN network for the rest of the voice call link. In one embodiment, if the first link corresponding to the collect call request is established, the collect call switch calls the called party terminal to establish the second link, and billing on the second link is initiated.

Abstract: If a call is originated from a DKT, a first node being a calling party prepares a call identifying information item using a call number and a Node ID, and transmits the information item to a second node being a called party. If the first node and the second node receive a disconnect request of the call from the DKT, each of the nodes transmits an accounting information item and the call identification item to an accounting apparatus. The accounting apparatus sums up accounting information items having the same call identification item, and performs accounting processing for the summed accounting information as total accounting information of the call.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for use in billing a toll-free telephone call over a telephone network, the telephone call corresponding to a first toll-free telephone number and initiated by a calling party from an initiating telephone number. In one embodiment, a toll-free telephone call is received at a service node, and routed to a first termination corresponding with the first toll-free telephone number, where the service node remains within the call path of the toll-free telephone call. A first call record is initiated for the toll-free telephone call at the service node, and it is determined at the service node whether the toll-free telephone call is to be connected with a second toll-free telephone number. A second call record is initiated at the service node, where a connection with a second termination corresponding with the second toll-free telephone number has been established.

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 method and apparatus for utilizing a tiered flat rate pricing structure for at least one call in a packet network is described. In one embodiment, at least one call is serviced by a call control element. The at least one call is then accounted by associating the call(s) to a billing structure that includes at least three categories, wherein a first category comprises an on-net call-type category, a second category comprises an off-net domestic call-type category, and a third category comprises an off-net international call-type category.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for constructing a billing statement from detailed usage file (DUF) records received from an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC). A master file contains routing information associating each of a plurality of telephone numbering plan addresses plus additional telephone number digits (NPA-NXX) with a corresponding local access transport area (LATA). Telephone operator services (TOPS) assignment files are downloaded and used to edit the master file, thereby generating an enhanced master file. DUF records are downloaded. A set of enhanced DUF records is generated by filtering the downloaded DUF records. A rate table of customer price plans is applied to the set of enhanced DUF records and the enhanced master file to construct a billing statement.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring number portability in a communication system, comprising transmitting ported-out information to a network element are disclosed. The system includes an originating network and a recipient network. The originating network includes a first network element for establishing a call to a ported-out subscriber and for transmitting ported-out information.

Abstract: An inter-working network facilitating PTT communications among roaming subscribers spanning a plurality of disparate dispatch networks includes a signaling controller, a media gateway, a system for facilitating the monetization of inter-carrier dispatch communications and a group management server. The signaling controller and media gateway generate dispatch call records for dispatch sessions facilitated through the inter-working network. The system includes a billing accumulator and a settlement entity. The billing accumulator is interfaced with the inter-working network and includes logic to receive and store the dispatch call data records from the inter-working architecture. The settlement entity is interfaced with the billing accumulator, and includes settlement logic for converting each stored dispatch call data record to a billing record for each of at least two of the dispatch networks. The group management server is interfaced with group management servers in each of the dispatch networks.

Abstract: A method of online charging in a communication network. The method includes receiving a service request from a user, determining whether the service request is an access network session, a media network session or a service network session, determining if a type of charging model the user wants to use to provide the service request is an event based model, a volume based model, a time based model, an event based model or a combination of the models, determining which network element corresponding to the access network session, the media network session and the service network session in the communication network is responsible for providing the service request from the user, and provisioning identification rules for providing the service request to the network element that is determined to be responsible for providing the service request from the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the management and analysis of detail records in a mobile telephony network, including the ability to store remotely and retrieve detail records given a specific call or a data session for signaling analysis in such networks. Computer program products which can execute such methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for analyzing billing packets transmitted from a billing collector to a billing converter. A first packet of data transmitted from a billing collector to a billing converter is received. The first packet includes billing data and a transmission time. A second packet of data being transmitted from the billing converter to the billing collector is received. The second packet includes an acknowledgement of the first packet and a transmission time. A first time difference between the transmission time of the first packet and the transmission time of the second packet is determined.

Abstract: A first communication control system comprising a balance database for storing the prepaid money of each per caller number, a charge database for storing the charge system of each communication company, a balance checking part for checking the balance by searching the balance database with the caller number, a call permission determining part for determining the permission of a call of the caller based on the balance, a communication company specifying part for specifying one communication company based on the input number from a caller terminal, a line switch and a line control part for connecting the caller terminal with a called terminal through an exchange of the specified communication company, a speech time measuring part for measuring the speech time, a telephone charge calculating part for calculating the speech time and the telephone charge according to the charge system of the communication company, and a balance updating part for subtracting the telephone charge from the balance of the caller.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium for determining a least-cost, international-routing path to communicate data across a telecommunications network are provided. The path implementation variables can be presented on a user interface or used to automatically generate a switch update transaction that implements the path. The method includes identifying variables that affect the determination of a least-cost path, receiving data values that correspond to the variables, and presenting the data values so that the path can be determined in response to observing the variables. Confidence and route testing can be conducted using the present invention.

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

Abstract: A method of settling accounts of buyers and sellers of telecommunication services by an online exchange system includes storing data representing a financial account of at least one seller and at least one buyer, wherein the financial account includes at least one of accounts receivable and cash receipts. A service node receives an offer to sell the services from the at least one seller and requests to buy the services from the at least one buyer. The service node then matches the offers and requests in accordance with one or more parameters specified in the offers and requests. A route table is generated based on the routes specified in the matched offers and requests and a switch node is configured based on the route table. Fees are computed based on the usage of the matched routes and the financial accounts of the at least one seller and at least one buyer based on the computed fees.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and provides a billing method and system, and a billing server. The method includes: generating, by a PBX, billing ticket information and reporting the billing ticket information to a billing server when an incoming call from an external user to an internal user of the PBX, an outgoing call from an internal user of the PBX, or a call between internal users of the PBX occurs; receiving and storing, by the billing server, the billing ticket information reported from the PBX; initiating, by the billing server, a service connection to a billing center through the PBX, or triggering, by the billing server, a fixed wireless station to initiate a service connection to a billing center directly when the PBX system is in an idle state; and sending, by the billing server, the stored billing ticket information to the billing center after the connection is established successfully.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for division of revenue of communication among different proprietors is provided in this invention, where the division of revenue among the different proprietors is performed by a gateway office, wherein the gateway office will set a source parameter and a destination parameter respectively from the source and the destination when a call goes through the gateway office; Judge the two parameters to get a revenue zone index; Judge the value of the revenue zone index, and modulate the revenue zone index to get a revenue class index; The gateway office generates contents related to the revenue class index; A central memory receives all these contents, adds an increment of each counter of the revenue class memory related to the revenue class index to a corresponding counter and carries out multiple safety mechanisms; Output the information in the revenue class memory to a storage medium for storing, then output it to a billing center for revenue sorting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing pre-pay and post-pay calls. After receiving a pre-pay call, an integrated service platform obtains and transfers a pre-pay destination number and a pre-pay validation parameter to a switching system. The switching system then releases the pre-pay call extension to the integrated service platform and extends the pre-pay call using the pre-pay destination number. As the pre-pay call is in progress, the switching system monitors a duration of the pre-pay call and terminates the pre-pay call if the duration meets or exceeds a pre-pay amount indicated by the pre-pay validation parameter. In this manner, integrated service platforms, as required by prior approaches, are no longer required to be connected to the pre-pay call for the entire duration of the pre-pay call. Rather, an integrated service platform can request and receive authorization and call destination information, then be released for use by other calls.

Abstract: A method of monitoring, and a system to perform the method of monitoring, a mobile network, the method including generating detail records of information transactions in the mobile network; correlating dissimilar detail records from different ones of the monitoring points according to one or more common attributes of the dissimilar detail records, and aggregating at least a portion of the correlated detail records into a single group; and presenting the aggregated detail records in a high level presentation in a graphical user interface.

Abstract: The invention is intended to create a online charging method for an end user session comprising at least one first charging session and at least one second charging session. The invention is based on using a combination pricing plan as response to a number of different charging requests, and determining the charging by said combination pricing plan, by using during the end user session different proxy components to identify service requests according to different service identification request rules, each proxy component using individual service identification rules.

Abstract: A method in a communication system comprising at least one access network controller entity for controlling a plurality of service areas and a core network controller entity. The access network controller entity reports to the core network controller entity movement of a user equipment from a first service area to a second service area. The report contains indication that the user equipment has moved to be served within the second service area. The report contains also information regarding the volume of data that was not communicated between the user equipment and communication means of the first service area while the user equipment was served within the first service area.

Abstract: An originating node is configured for generating a route management signaling message having a signaling link selection (SLS) value that is selected by the originating node based on an affected destination value. The affected destination value, distinct from a destination point code (DPC) that specifies a destination node for the route management signaling message, identifies an affected signaling node that is affected by the route management signaling message. Hence, route management signaling messages related to the affected signaling node are routed along the same signaling path, ensuring that all the related route management signaling messages remain in sequence. Further, different signaling path can be established for respective affected signaling nodes, providing load sharing of route management signaling messages relative to the respective affected signaling nodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a casual usage alternate billing. More particularly, the invention encompasses a method and an apparatus for casual usage alternate billing. The invention intercepts a call, especially a dial-around call, to either verify the existence of information in a database or to obtain and authenticate a mode of payment prior to allowing the call to proceed.

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: In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a telecommunications billing system that includes an interface, a customer database, a usage database and a billing module. The interface is configured to receive subscription data associated with a subscription and a first set of telecommunications service usage data. The subscription data identifies a pricing plan that includes an allotment of shared telecommunications units for use in connection with at least one of the first telecommunications service and a second telecommunications service. The usage database is configured to store the first set of telecommunications service usage data and a second set of telecommunications service usage data. The billing module is configured to access the usage database and the customer database.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a communication system is described, where the system comprises a first entity 2 for sending a first data object 21 to a terminal device 4 and a second entity 3 for sending a second data object to the terminal device at the request 41 of the terminal device 4. The communication system also comprises a data transfer entity 11 and a charging entity 5. The data transfer entity 11 records charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of the first data object. It is proposed that the second entity 3 is controlled to output a predetermined triggering message to the data transfer entity 11 and/or charging entity 5, where the operation of processing the charging relevant parameters in a charging procedure is postponed until the predetermined message is received.

Abstract: A method and system for routing a communication through an alternate carrier. The A method includes recognizing an input number upon which a call is based, assigning primary, alternate and secondary interexchange carriers responsive to the recognizing, and sequentially routing an input number from a node among primary, alternate, and secondary carriers until a connection is established.

Abstract: A method and apparatus implements a Virtual Exchange Reference Impact (VERI) technique to define a pattern to shape the spectrum of a cabinet deployed system to minimize its impact, e.g., FEXT, into an exchange deployed system while achieving effective cabinet system performance, e.g., in terms of data transmission rate. The invention shapes the cabinet system to replicate a self-impact of the exchange system on itself based on the known distance of the cabinet from the exchange. The shaping is required when both exchange and cabinet systems share the same bundle and exhibit overlapped bandwidths. A particular example consists of VDSL deployed from remote cabinet impacting ADSL2/ADSL2+ deployed from the exchange.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for displaying information is provided. The method includes providing an identity information section, a product information section, and a notes section. The method also includes identifying a plurality of categories of transaction information associated with the particular one of the customers. The method also includes displaying, on a same single layout, the identity information section, the product information section, the notes section, a plurality of tabs identifying the respective categories of transaction information, and the window.

Abstract: Methods of billing telephone calls in networks that utilize shared modem pools. A request from a user of the network is received along with user identifying data. The user identifying data is correlated with records in a database of user identifying data and if a match is found, the call is passed through the network. The user has then been authenticated as a valid user of the network and can be billed accordingly, even though a random modem in the modem pool was used to place the call. This allows the user to be billed for the call so that the owner of the modem pool is not left financially responsible for the long-distance and/or other toll charges incurred by the user in making the call. The methods also ensure that the modem pool owners can bill for all calls, thereby enhancing the network's revenue stream.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a plurality of call detail records (CDRs) each indicative of a call transaction on a telecommunications network. The method includes receiving the plurality of CDRs at a first controller, wherein each of the CDRs include a data structure including a plurality of fields each containing at least one character. The method then selects a first sorting field from the plurality of fields and groups the plurality of CDRs as a function of data within the first sorting field. In one embodiment, the first sorting field is used to group the CDRs according to different carriers. The method then analyzes at least one additional sorting field within each of the CDRs which were previously grouped according to the first sorting field. A report is then generated for each of the grouped CDRs as a function of data within the additional sorting field. In this way, periodic, customized reports can be generated from information contained with CDRs with user-selectable sorting or analysis fields.

Abstract: A system for identifying calls traversing a packet network. The system includes an analysis device that receives first signaling information from a packet network and second signaling information from a circuit network. The analysis device correlates the first signaling information with the second signaling information to generate correlated records about calls that traverse both the packet switched network and the circuit network. A database system receives the correlated records and calculates statistics describing traffic that traversed both the packet network and the circuit network.

Abstract: A method and system for trading IP bandwidth in an exchange environment. Participating members of the exchange register their IP route destinations with the exchange. The exchange collects buy and sell orders, which include parameters such as the desired destination, price and quality of the routes. The buy and sell orders are matched based on the specified parameters, and lists of matched orders are forwarded to members' routers for execution of the trades. The exchange settles the executed trades by issuing invoices in accordance with the buyer members' usage of the bandwidth offered by the seller members.