Abstract: Systems, methods, articles of manufacture, and computer-readable media. A server may receive a phone call and generate a uniform resource locator (URL) comprising a session identifier for an account. The server may transmit the URL to a client device. The server may receive, from a web browser, a request comprising the URL. The server may determine that the session identifier in the URL of the request matches the session identifier for the account, and transmit, to the web browser, a web page at the URL. The server may receive, from the web browser, a cryptogram read by the web page via a card reader of the client device and decrypt the cryptogram. The server may authenticate the identity of the caller for the call based on decrypting the cryptogram and the session identifier of the URL matching the session identifier of the account.

Abstract: A method of providing data communication services is provided. The method comprises a mobile electronic device establishing a data connection to a content source, a gateway creating a record comprising information related to the data connection and providing the record to a server, and the server charging the content source for the data connection and providing at least a part of the record to the content source.

Abstract: To provide customized information to the user, a wireless communications network node receives a stream of data associated with a user. A first trend associated with at least a first attribute in the stream of data is identified, and based on the identified first trend, customized information is sent for presentation to the user at a mobile station.

Abstract: To provide customized information to the user, a wireless communications network node receives a stream of data associated with a user. A first trend associated with at least a first attribute in the stream of data is identified, and based on the identified first trend, customized information is sent for presentation to the user at a mobile station.

Abstract: To provide customized information to the user, a wireless communications network node receives a stream of data associated with a user. A first trend associated with at least a first attribute in the stream of data is identified, and based on the identified first trend, customized information is sent for presentation to the user at a mobile station.

Abstract: To provide customized information to the user, a wireless communications network node receives a stream of data associated with a user. A first trend associated with at least a first attribute in the stream of data is identified, and based on the identified first trend, customized information is sent for presentation to the user at a mobile station.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and a device for generating a phone bill, which is applied to a charging system in the communication field, wherein the method comprises a preprocessing process and a process of combining phone bills, wherein in the preprocessing process, the charging system uses multiple threads for preprocessing a plurality of service logs simultaneously, and each service log is preprocessed to generate one or more intermediate phone bills, wherein information in the service log is converted into information required for the intermediate phone bills when performing preprocessing, and a single thread is used for processing in the process of combining phone bills to generate required phone bills one by one, and during each process of generating a phone bill, the charging system collects and combines the intermediate phone bills required for generating present phone bill, accomplishes encoding record serial numbers and file serial numbers, and generates one phone bill.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for processing customer orders associated with providing telephony services via a telecommunications network and with services provided via a cable network. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a service-order-entry (SOE) system associated with a set of legacy components, the SOE system being operable to receive a first type of customer order that is associated with providing services via a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network not including a cable television (CATV) network; supplementing the SOE system with a secondary order-reception system operable to receive a second type of customer order that is associated with providing telephony services over a CATV network and further operable to receive the second type of customer order without substantially modifying the legacy components; receiving the second type of customer order; and fulfilling the second type of customer order without substantially modifying the legacy components.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing network accounting information. A first network accounting record is received from a first source. Thereafter, the first network accounting record is correlated with accounting information available from a second source. The accounting information with which the first network accounting record is correlated is then used to enhance the first network accounting record.

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 method, system, and medium are provided for processing customer orders associated with providing telephony services via a telecommunications network and with services provided via a cable network. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a service-order-entry (SOE) system associated with a set of legacy components, the SOE system being operable to receive a first type of customer order that is associated with providing services via a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network not including a cable television (CATV) network; supplementing the SOE system with a secondary order-reception system operable to receive a second type of customer order that is associated with providing telephony services over a CATV network and further operable to receive the second type of customer order without substantially modifying the legacy components; receiving the second type of customer order; and fulfilling the second type of customer order without substantially modifying the legacy components.

Abstract: A method for management of performance of computer systems and applications includes prompting the user to select information for monitoring, monitoring the performance of applications running on servers, displaying data, and prompting users to input performance adjustments. A user is prompted to select a server or server group, a resource, and a threshold or condition for notification, and in response a system compares the value or quality of the parameter to the threshold or condition, and provides a notification to the user in the event that the parameter reaches the threshold or condition. A method includes the steps of providing the user with performance information, receiving from the user a request for more specific performance information, and providing more detailed performance information.

Abstract: A system extension for a billing system adapted to generate customer bills associated with the delivery of telecommunications products and services, wherein the billing system includes software instructions adapted to be executed on a computer server platform, a database for storing product configuration data for a plurality of product offerings and charging tariffs attached to the product offerings, and a user interface allowing a user to interact with and configure portions of the system, the system extension comprising: an editable derived attributes table that identifies a unit charge rate for tariffs attached to product offerings; and a charge calculation function for calculating a charge for a tariff attached to a particular product offering based on the unit charge rate identified in the derived attributes table for the tariff.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying charges on a bill are provided. Each charge category is assigned an associated symbol. The associated symbol appears in proximity to the corresponding charge category on the bill. If a charge category includes charge subcategories, the symbol can also appear on the bill in proximity to the charge subcategory.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for creating a billing record with a called party's name. Providing the called party's name on the billing record facilitates the calling party's review of the billing record by reducing the amount of time and effort needed to determine the identity of the called parties. In addition to identifying fraudulent and misbilled calls, the called party's name allows a person reviewing the billing record to quickly identify long distance calls, quickly discern business from personal calls, and audit calls made from phone lines with multiple users (e.g., employees or kids). Additionally, the billing record reviewer saves time and money by avoiding the need to call directory assistance or a billing service to identify the calls.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and system provide for network support for call record privacy in a telecommunication system. The method in an embodiment may have the steps of: checking for a subscription to the call record privacy feature by a subscriber; checking if the call record privacy feature is active for a call associated with the subscriber; and marking call detail records of the call as “private” when the call record privacy feature is active. The system implements the method.

Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.

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: Outgoing call log data associated with a call from a subscriber's terminal is provided by a system including a switch, which receives the call from the subscriber's terminal and launches a query in response to the call, and a service controller, which receives the query and forwards call data to an interface server in response to the query. The switch continues to process the telephone call after querying the service controller. The interface server obtains additional information from a directory database based on at least the received call data. An outgoing call log database receives and stores the call data and the additional information from the interface server as the outgoing call log data. A web server retrieves the outgoing call log data from the outgoing call log database, in response to a query from a web client, and displays the outgoing call log data at the web client.

Abstract: In general, a system and method for analyzing wireless communication records and for determining optimal wireless communication service plans is disclosed. A transceiver is configured to receive billing information associated with a subscriber of a telecommunications service under a current rate plan. A storage unit stores the billing information. A processor processes the subscriber related billing information to produce organized data having a predefined format. The processor then analyzes the processed data in relation to a plurality of rate plans of a plurality of telecommunications service providers, and determines at least one proposed rate plan that would save the subscriber telecommunication costs relative to the current rate plan. A report of at least one proposed rate plan is then produced and provided to the subscriber, which enables selection of a best telecommunication service provider.

Abstract: A method of routing telephone calls, emails and faxes using a palmtop computer. Using a date book forming a part of a personal information manager application of a palmtop computer, the user enters an appointment into the date book. Such an appointment has a starting and an ending time. The user then selects (either at the time of entry of the appointment or after receipt of an alarm reminder of the appointment) a destination telephone number for routing of telephone calls between the starting time and the ending time. This selection can be in the form of a menu selection of a predetermined profile for routing telephone calls. The palmtop computer then sends a representation of the destination telephone number, the starting time and the ending time to a telephone call server (and/or email server and/or fax server), so that the telephone call server routes telephone calls to the destination telephone number between the starting time and the ending time.

Abstract: Outgoing call log data associated with a call from a subscriber's terminal is provided by a system including a switch, which receives the call from the subscriber's terminal and launches a query in response to the call, and a service controller, which receives the query and forwards call data to an interface server in response to the query. The switch continues to process the telephone call after querying the service controller. The interface server obtains additional information from a directory database based on at least the received call data. An outgoing call log database receives and stores the call data and the additional information from the interface server as the outgoing call log data. A web server retrieves the outgoing call log data from the outgoing call log database, in response to a query from a web client, and displays the outgoing call log data at the web client.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for creating a billing record with a called party's name. Providing the called party's name on the billing record facilitates the calling party's review of the billing record by reducing the amount of time and effort needed to determine the identity of the called parties. In addition to identifying fraudulent and misbilled calls, the called party's name allows a person reviewing the billing record to quickly identify long distance calls, quickly discern business from personal calls, and audit calls made from phone lines with multiple users (e.g., employees or kids). Additionally, the billing record reviewer saves time and money by avoiding the need to call directory assistance or a billing service to identify the calls.

Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.

Abstract: A network component of an apparatus in one example determines one or more usage characteristics of a mobile communication device for a cellular communications network and one or more usage characteristics of the mobile communication device for a satellite communications network.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing device (78) for an imaging tube (18) includes an energy-absorbing body (82). The energy-absorbing body (82) is fluidically coupled to a housing (60) of the imaging tube (18) and absorbs the kinetic energy generated within the imaging tube (18). The kinetic energy may be generated from the separation of material fragments from a rotating target (74) within the housing (60).

Abstract: Disclosed is a transaction management system for configurating on-line shopping system. The on-line shopping system including transaction management system also includes IPS-RADIUS server, account management system operated by carrier, article supplier server. The transaction management system has contract DB storing plural sets of contract information each consisting of a user ID, a customer code, an ISP code, an accounted party code specifying carrier (or account management system), and so on. When a customer buy an article by accessing to an article supplier server, the server transmit accounting process request containing customer code to the transaction management system. The transaction management system, when receiving the accounting process request, attempts to authenticate the identity of the customer. If the customer is authenticated, the transaction management system functions so that the carrier collects fee of bought article together with a fee charged for the service provided by the carrier.

Abstract: A method is provided for subscriber-related call log information for a plurality of distributed services from a remotely accessible consolidating server. The distributed services include at least a plain old telephone service, a wireless service, and a long distance telephone service. The call log information for the plurality of services is received in the consolidating server from a network. The call log information may be stored in the server as a consolidated list sorted by at least one of name of a remote party, remote party telephone number, time of call, remote party mailing address, remote party e-mail address, and/or a remote number identifier. The consolidated list is communicated to a remote location responsive to a subscriber request. Such a remote location can be a general purpose computing device equipped with a web browser, an Internet-enabled phone, or a similar device. A transfer-hub may store the call log information.

Abstract: A system and a method store, display and report outgoing call log data associated with telephone calls from a subscriber's telephone. The system includes a switch in one network that receives a telephone call from the subscriber's telephone and launches a query in response to an AIN trigger to a service control point. In response, the service control point forwards associated call data to an interface server in another network via a generic data interface. The interface server obtains additional information from a directory database and sends the call data and the additional information to an outgoing call log database, which stores the call data and the additional information as the outgoing call log data. A web server retrieves the outgoing call log data and displays it to the subscriber at a web client.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for creating a billing record with a called party's name. Providing the called party's name on the billing record facilitates the calling party's review of the billing record by reducing the amount of time and effort needed to determine the identity of the called parties. In addition to identifying fraudulent and misbilled calls, the called party's name allows a person reviewing the billing record to quickly identify long distance calls, quickly discern business from personal calls, and audit calls made from phone lines with multiple users (e.g., employees or kids). Additionally, the billing record reviewer saves time and money by avoiding the need to call directory assistance or a billing service to identify the calls.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for generating a single record reflecting multiple services for accounting purposes. First, a plurality of services carried out over a network are identified. Such services may include an hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) session, an electronic mail session, and/or a voice over Internet Protocol (IP) session. Further, data is collected describing the plurality of services. A single record is subsequently generated using the collected data to represent each of the services.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processing the data produced by a telephone exchange, the transfer of the data through a transfer medium to a receiving equipment, and outputting of the processed data in the receiving equipment on a screen or paper. The data are processed in the telephone exchange to reduce the amount of data transferred through the transfer medium. This will be accomplished by using fixed forms in the exchange and the receiving equipment. A form will be used to separate the binary data of the specified fields from the data pre-processed in the telephone exchange. The receiving equipment will use a form that corresponds with that of the telephone exchange to separate the incoming binary data into the parts specified in the form, and each part will be attached to the field indicated by the corresponding identifier information.

Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.

Abstract: A method for generating a bill includes a communication node including an address book. A determination is made as to whether a phone number called by the user matches a stored number in the address book. A bill including a name and a location associated with the stored number is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling access to a telecommunications and messaging services system from a server computer that has a web browser installed. The apparatus includes a billing server that maintains a database of telecommunications transaction records. Each time a new telecommunications event occurs, such as a toll call from a number in a user's account, a new transaction record is added to the data base. A service provider interfaces to the database of transaction records through a series of web pages that are transmitted over the internet by a web server. The web pages that are generated by the web server provide the service provider with the capabilty to periodically query the data base to detect the occurrence of a prescribed account event, such as exceeding a charge credit limit. Upon detection of the prescribed account event, messages are sent to the web server to control access to the telecommunications and messaging services system for a corresponding account.

Abstract: A billing system for a service provider-client environment, which includes a service provider site, a first computer-based device disposed at the service provider site having billing software operably associated with the first computer-based device for enabling logging of client data and service provider data. The billing software prompts a service provider to select one of a logging and no logging of time for one of a matter and a call and can accrue an amount of time and associate the time with a client upon selection of the logging. The billing software also prompts a service provider to select one of a logging and no logging of print cost and postage cost in response to a printer job being initiated for one of a print document and an envelope document and associate the time with a client upon selection of the logging.

Abstract: A system (and method) for linking wireless and land line communications media, includes a connector for connecting a communications media, and an indicator for alerting a user of the state of a connection. The connector automatically initiates a continuous reestablishment operation after the indicator announces a state of disconnection and in which the system provides a conferencing capability using the Internet. A handset to be used in voice communications includes a housing including a receiver and transmitter for connecting to a computer network, a plurality of wireless protocols for use with the transmitter, and a universal telephone port coupled to the housing for connecting to a universal telephone jack.

Abstract: A service for presenting billing information to a customer according to a hierarchal structure defined by the customer. The customer assigns telephone numbers to company units and defines how each of the units relate to each other in the hierarchal structure. The billing information associated with each assigned telephone number is processed in accordance with the hierarchal structure. Thereafter, the bill is presented to the customer.

Abstract: A method for providing telecommunications service pricing to a corporate client over a computer network has steps of: querying the client to choose a client profile, selecting a questionnaire profile for a questionnaire database, presenting the questionnaire to the client over the computer network, obtaining a response to the questionnaire from the client over the data network, obtaining a phone bill from the client for a period of time, and using the phone bill to determine a call traffic pattern. The call traffic pattern and the response to the questionnaire are then used to determine telecommunications service pricing over the computer network to the client.

Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating business data and transaction data in a transaction processing environment comprises a telephone call processing system including a call distribution device connected to several agent devices through one type of communication link. The call distribution device is connected to an information server through another type of communication link. The information server includes a database for storing business data associated with call data for a particular call. A machine implemented method for storing data related to a call comprising the steps of transmitting a host data value from an agent device to the information server during a transaction, and, if a host data signal is received by the data warehouse during the transaction, associating the host data value with a transaction identifier and storing the host data value in the database a predetermined time after a termination of the call.

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

Abstract: A method for developing a call traffic pattern for a company having a plurality of remotely located facilities is disclosed. A long distance carrier phone bill is examined to determine which call records correspond to intra-company calls. The intra-company call records are then grouped by originating company facility. Data from the grouped call records are then summed and examined to assemble a call traffic pattern. The call traffic pattern may include total charges for intra-company calls by facility, total calls by facility, total call duration by facility, peak phone usage by facility, and time of peak usage by facility. The call traffic pattern may be particularly useful in designing a voice over data network solution for a company.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for creating a billing record with a called party's name. Providing the called party's name on the billing record facilitates the calling party's review of the billing record by reducing the amount of time and effort needed to determine the identity of the called parties. In addition to identifying fraudulent and misbilled calls, the called party's name allows a person reviewing the billing record to quickly identify long distance calls, quickly discern business from personal calls, and audit calls made from phone lines with multiple users (e.g., employees or kids). Additionally, the billing record reviewer saves time and money by avoiding the need to call directory assistance or a billing service to identify the calls.

Abstract: A billing system and method particularly well suited for use in telephony networks accounts for usage of standard network services, such as voice and data communication, and third-party services, such as paging and voicemail services, supportable by the network. Customer usage of network equipment and third-party equipment is also accounted for by such a telephony network billing system. Network and third-party usage and equipment charges incurred by a customer are advantageously integrated by the billing system into a single customer invoice.

Abstract: A communications system is designed to create a sub-account AMA record for each transaction requested by a caller within a single 900-number call after an initial transaction has been processed. Such sub-account record includes the rate charged for each transaction. Such rate may vary from transaction to transaction and may even negate all charges for an entire call. The sub-account record permits an itemized bill to be created for all transactions processed during such call.

Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for connecting a caller to a content provider who provides a service to the caller over the telephone system. In accordance with the invention, a caller establishes a prepaid account with an intermediary, termed a transaction processor. When the caller wishes to access a content provider, the caller makes a telephone call to the transaction processor providing access to a plurality of content providers via a common access number. The caller identifies his prepaid account and the desired content provider. The transaction processor connects the caller to the content provider, monitors the connection between the caller and the content provider, and debits the caller's prepaid account according to the service provided by the content provider.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for transferring a call charge during call forwarding in a private branch exchange (PBX) system. A call connected to a first extension terminal is forwarded to a second extension terminal upon request for call forwarding from the first extension terminal. It is determined whether the first extension terminal requests for call charge transfer. Information about the call charge of the first extension terminal for the call during the time period from a call set-up to the call forwarding is shifted to a call charge buffer of the second extension terminal. Upon the call charge transferring request, it is determined whether the forwarded call is completed, and the call charge of the second extension terminal is outputted upon completion of the forwarded call.

Abstract: A radiation source includes an anode and a cathode for creating a discharge in a vapor in a space between anode and cathode and to form a plasma of a working vapor so as to generate electromagnetic radiation. The cathode defines a hollow cavity in communication with the discharge region through an aperture that has a substantially annular configuration around a central axis of said radiation source so as to initiate said discharge. A driver vapor is supplied to the cathode cavity and the working vapor is supplied in a region around the central axis in between anode and cathode.