Abstract: A light-weight solution for media handovers between different Radio Access Technologies (RAT) is provided. A user may switch from Wi-Fi to Cellular Data (e.g., LTE/4G/3G/ . . . ), from Cellular data to Wi-Fi, and the like. In contrast to a “make-before-break” design for switching between RATs, the technologies described herein are a “break-before-make” design. When a change in a RAT is detected, an application on the computing device utilizing the connection is notified of the change. Instead of removing connection information, the connection is maintained for a configurable period of time such that the application can re-register with the network to continue the communication session. During a transition to a second RAT, the application provides one or more notifications to the user of the change in RAT. For instance, a graphical user interface (GUI) can be displayed showing the change and/or a tone can be played indicating the change in the RAT.

Abstract: Device group partitions and a settlement platform are provided. In some embodiments, device group partitions (e.g., partitions of devices based on associated device groups) are provided. In some embodiments, a settlement platform service is provided. In some embodiments, a settlement platform service is provided for partitioned devices. In some embodiments, collecting device generated service usage information for one or more devices in wireless communication on a wireless network; and aggregating the device generated service usage information for a settlement platform for the one or more devices in wireless communication on the wireless network is provided. In some embodiments, a settlement platform implements a service billing allocation and/or a service/transactional revenue share among one or more partners. In some embodiments, service usage information includes micro-CDRs, which are used for CDR mediation or reconciliation that provides for service usage accounting on any device activity that is desired.

Abstract: A method for enabling a charging of packet switched data transfer between an authorized customer and a network. The method includes transferring a total data volume via at least a first data path and a second data path between an equipment related to the authorized customer and a hybrid access aggregation point (HAAP) as an access to the network. Each of the at least a first data path and a second data bath use a different access technology for transferring its respective part of the total data volume. The total data volume is determined as a sum of the respective parts of the total data volume transferred in both the first path and the second path. The total data volume is used by a central charging unit for a charging.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method implemented by a first terminal for setting up a session with a second terminal. An identifier of a session server is obtained at least from a subscriber device in the first terminal which comprises a subscriber identifier and an operator identifier. A session request and an identifier of the second terminal are sent to the server. At least one instruction is received from the server and a message comprising a first set, relative to the first terminal, of at least one characteristic parameter of the requested session is generated in accordance with at least one instruction received and sent to the server. A message is received from the server comprising a second set of at least one characteristic parameter of the requested session, the second set relating to the second terminal and having a non-zero overlap with the first set.

Abstract: An apparatus for deriving quality data includes a processor and memory storing executable computer code causing the apparatus to at least perform operations including receiving a consistency check from a network device indicating a summary count obtained during a time period. The summary count specifies a number of data items of a service utilized/provided, within a given time period, to one or more communication devices of an entity. The consistency check also includes a raw count, obtained during a time window the expiration of which is subsequent to the time period, indicating a number of data items of the service utilized/provided, within the given time period, to the communication devices. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to determine whether a deviation between the summary count relative to the raw count is less than or equal to a threshold. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A client device, e.g., a smartphone including a web browser, requests a call authorization token from a web server, e.g., a web page server. The web server, acting on behalf of a company, whose web page is hosted and whose phone corresponds to the called party, screens incoming requests and decides whether or not to issue an authorization token, e.g., a signed token including an encrypted portion. The web server issues a call authorization token and communicate the issued token to the client device. The client device includes the received issued call authorization token in a signal, e.g., a SIP INVITE signal, which it generates and sends to a session border controller (SBC). The session border controller processes the received authorization token and checks the authorization token to validate the received token. The SBC establishes a communications session if the received token passes the validation check.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a method for charging of calls in a communication network. The method includes, receiving subscription information pertaining to a discretionary charging feature, for a call between a first user and a second user, where the first user is subscribed to a first telecom operator and the second user is subscribed to one of the first telecom operator and a second telecom operator. The method further includes ascertaining whether the second user is subscribed to the discretionary charging feature based on the receiving, and applying discretionary charging for determining call charges for the first user, based on the ascertaining.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for differential bandwidth metering in a network implementing direct peerings. A system includes a plurality of resource collections and a billing manager. The billing manager obtains a first metric of network traffic transmitted on behalf of a client to obtain one or more services from one or more resource collections. The billing manager also obtains a second metric of network traffic transmitted on behalf of the client over one or more private links, where each private link is set up to establish a network path between a respective client network of the client and a respective resource collection of the plurality of resource collections. The billing manager provides composite billing information to the client comprising a differential billing amount dependent upon a difference between the first metric and the second metric.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for outsourcing telecom billing are disclosed for issuing one or more first billing statements and one or more second billing statements from a first telecom network; and transmitting at least the one or more first billing statements to a second telecom network. The one or more first billing statements may reflect one or more charges from the first telecom network to the second telecom network, and the one or more second billing statements may reflect one or more charges from the second telecom network to one or more customers thereof. The one or more charges of the first and second billing statements may reflect the same service(s).

Abstract: A gateway device may be configured to receive, from a first user device, a request to establish a Web Real-Time Communications (“WebRTC”) call session; establish, based on the request, a first WebRTC call session with the user device; establish, based on the request: a voice call session between the gateway device and an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (“IMS”) core, and a second WebRTC call session between the gateway device and a WebRTC portal server; and facilitate, via the established voice call session and the established first and second WebRTC call sessions, multimedia communication connectivity between the first user device and a set of devices that include: a public-switched telephone network (“PSTN”) terminal device, and a second user device.

Abstract: Scalable Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) media engines, and related methods, systems, and computer-readable media, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for providing a scalable WebRTC media engine comprises instantiating one or more virtual WebRTC agents, each corresponding to one or more of a plurality of WebRTC clients. The method further comprises establishing a plurality of WebRTC interactive flows, each connecting one of the one or more virtual WebRTC agents with the corresponding one or more of the plurality of WebRTC clients. The method also comprises receiving contents of the plurality of WebRTC interactive flows as input from the one or more virtual WebRTC agents, and synthesizing the contents of the plurality of WebRTC interactive flows. The method additionally comprises directing the synthesized contents as output to one of more of the plurality of WebRTC interactive flows via the corresponding one or more virtual WebRTC agents.

Abstract: An exemplary method implemented in a telecommunication network generates a charging data record (CDR) for a subscriber that is supported by a visited network while away from the subscriber's home network. A request is transmitted from a first node in the visited network for profile information about the subscriber to be obtained from the home subscriber server (HSS) in the subscriber's home network. A reply is received at the first node in the visited network in response to the request where the reply includes at least a portion of the profile information about the subscriber stored in the HSS of the subscriber's home network. The first node stores the at least portion of the profile information received in the reply, and generates the CDR associated with the subscriber as supported in the visited network where the CDR includes subscriber data derived from the stored at least portion of the profile information.

Abstract: A system and method that includes receiving a communication request of an account, the communication request including communication properties; identifying at least two routing options of a route priority list, the routing options capable of completing the communication request and identified according to a priority heuristic; generating a communication cost from the communication properties; and upon receipt of the routing response and the communication cost response, executing a communication with a routing option of the routing priority list and committing a cost of the communication to the account.

Abstract: Telecommunications customers must frequently utilize the facilities of many different telecommunications service providers in order to transmit data from one location to another. When a telecommunications customer encounters a network problem, that customer usually must navigate a complicated web of service providers and equipment owners in order to receive meaningful technical assistance from a human technician. The present invention is designed and intended to facilitate human interactions for technical support and administrative tasks by associating customer, contract, circuit, equipment, key personnel, billing, and telco information in a database for efficient data presentation and information retrieval. Resolution of the logistical problem of tracking circuit information is achieved by organizing the information and displaying important data concurrently.

Abstract: A method for assigning an alias telephone number to a long distance telephone number in connection with a pre-paid account, comprising obtaining from a user an account number, a long distance number and an originating call number; comparing said account number and long distance number against an alias number database to confirm that no local alias number has been assigned to said long distance number and account number combination; identifying from a pool of available local alias numbers a local alias number having the same area code, or an area code from the same calling area, as said originating telephone number; associating said available local alias number with said long distance number, said account number, and said originating telephone number; and sending a message to said user advising of the association of said local alias number with said long distance number, said call's originating telephone number, and said account number.

Abstract: A system may include a Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) backend server configured to receive a request for a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) for a WebRTC call session requested by a browser application and generate the URI for the WebRTC call session; and a validation proxy configured to receive the URI from a WebRTC gateway and validate the URI with the WebRTC backend server. The WebRTC backend server may be receive a request to validate the URI from the validation proxy, determine whether the URI corresponds to a valid URI, and send a validation message to the validation proxy, if the received URI is valid. The validation proxy may generate a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message based on the received validation message and send the generated SIP message to a contact center services system to initiate a real-time call between the contact center services system and the browser application.

Abstract: A system and method for automated customer feedback allows for automatically collecting and analyzing customer feedback data regarding customer satisfaction and customer task completion with respect to self-service applications and live agents. When contacting a customer service center, customers provide one or more customer tasks. The customers are routed within the customer service center based on the customer task and/or one or more customer characteristics. While interacting with the customer service center, the customers are automatically asked one or more specific survey questions relating to the customers' interaction with the customer service center and the customers' satisfaction levels. The customers provide one or more survey responses to the survey questions. The survey responses are recorded and analyzed in order to modify and update the customer service center and the survey questions in order to increase customer satisfaction and increase customer task completion.

Abstract: A system and method that includes receiving a communication request of an account, the communication request including communication properties; identifying at least two routing options of a route priority list, the routing options capable of completing the communication request and identified according to a priority heuristic; generating a communication cost from the communication properties; and upon receipt of the routing response and the communication cost response, executing a communication with a routing option of the routing priority list and committing a cost of the communication to the account.

Abstract: A system and method for routing data packets may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of a second packet network may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined network usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined. The data packets may be routed utilizing a threshold for the network usage differential.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for routing a communication. An identifier of an origination point of the communication is received. A destination point associated with a destination of the communication is determined. The origination point and the destination point are analyzed to determine whether the communication may be entirely routed within a local service provider's geographic area.

Abstract: A method and a mobile services switching center of providing differentiated services in a communications network. The method comprises receiving in a mobile services switching center an indication message from a first radio access network, said message indicating a radio access network type to which a called communication apparatus of a terminating communication session is connected, in response to the indication message: accessing differentiated service information associated with the radio access network type of the terminating communication session, and sending the differentiated service information to be applied for service differentiation by a second access network of calling communication apparatus.

Abstract: A method of managing a voicemail network is described herein. Voicemail system data for the voicemail network is received. The voicemail system data includes communication node data, source voicemail node data, and destination voicemail node data. A destination voicemail node is determined based on the destination voicemail node data and a destination voicemail node criteria. When the source voicemail node data meets a source voicemail node criteria, a communication node is associated with the destination voicemail node.

Abstract: A peering grid component operates to facilitate connections of call traffic in a peering grid comprised of customers interconnected with peering partners. A switch is configured to receive call traffic from a customer, and a routing engine is configured to analyze parameters of the call traffic to classify the call traffic as wireless or wire-line traffic. The classification of the call traffic is achieved through the provision of updated wireless routing information accessed by the routing engine. With the classification, the switch, for wireless traffic, accepts and transmits the call traffic at a wireless rate to a peering partner via a connection to the peering partner; and, for wire-line traffic, either transmits the call traffic back to the customer or accepts the call traffic for transmission at a wire-line rate. The wire-line rate is different than the wireless rate, and the associated rates are charged to the customer.

Abstract: A system method for providing software integration for telecommunications offerings online procurement, including a first layer configured to receive at least one of a request and a user action from a web server; and a second layer coupled to the first layer and configured to perform at least one of order management, online ordering and user management functions. At least one of the first layer and the second layer includes software objects extended to support procurement of the telecommunications offerings on-line and custom software objects created to support procuring of the telecommunications offerings on-line.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data in a mobile radio communication cellular network, wherein setting up, maintaining and terminating a data communication channel between a caller and a called party located in the cellular network are implemented by the exchanges of signaling messages. A caller and/or a called party each is located in a local zone of the cellular network. The method includes: a first detecting phase if the caller and the called party of the communication are located in the same local zone of the cellular network, according to a detection strategy including a step of analyzing all or a portion of the signaling messages; and then triggering a local loopback operation of all or a portion of the data exchanged between the caller and the called party, in the case where the detecting phase confirms the local nature of the communication between the caller and the called party.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for handset assisted resource utilization verification are disclosed. According to one method, first usage information is obtained from a mobile handset in response to the mobile handset being operated at a first time. Second usage information is obtained from the mobile handset in response to the mobile handset being operated at a second time. Based on the first and second usage information, an indication of network resource utilization is determined for the mobile handset between the first and second times. The first and second usage information may be obtained by polling the handset by sending query messages for the usage information to the handset or by triggering the handset to send the usage information in response to the expiration of a handset-implemented timer.

Abstract: When a telephone a belonging to an office a calls up a telephone b belonging to an office b, a subscriber of the telephone a operates a WS a connected to a computer network and edits camp-on request information when the telephone b is busy. The camp-on request information is transferred from the WS a to a CTI server b belonging to the office b connected to the computer network. The CTI server unit b performs camp-on control between the telephone b belonging to the office b and the telephone a belonging to the office a by controlling a private branch exchange b based on a schedule corresponding to the received camp-on request information.

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: A system and method for determining inter-carrier network usage may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier by subscribers of a second communications carrier that manages a second packet network. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of the second packet network by subscribers of the first communications subscriber may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined, where the network usage information may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time and non-real-time content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling wholesale network service providers to selectively block calls from wholesale customers who are exceeding their traffic projections based on pre-arranged agreements. The present method also enables wholesale network service providers to notify their wholesale customers that the subscribed traffic projections, such as call minute usage, begins to approach their maximum established volume. When the maximum established volume is exceeded by the wholesale customer, the present method provides parameters for adjusting the degree to which calls from the providers will be blocked, either gracefully by blocking calls partially or completely by blocking all incoming calls.

Abstract: A system is described for providing communication services and this system comprises a communication network with a number of exchanges and a number of connection points. Each connection point is connected by a fixed line to an exchange and is adapted to connect at least one communication terminal to the corresponding exchange. First connection points of the number of connection points are in an operative state and second connection points of the number of connection points are in an inoperative state. Operative connection points allow a communication terminal connected thereto access to at least one communication service through the system by having been assigned a unique address from a first group of unique addresses to each of the operative connection points.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a prepaid call in a mobile telecommunications network is provided. A default call processing parameter for processing a call can control the processing of the call when communications between the Mobile Switching Center and the Service Control Point fails. The value of the default call processing parameter can be set to permit the call to continue or to be terminated in accordance with a characteristic associated with the call, such as a characteristic of the dialed telephone number or a nature of address in the case of an outgoing call or a location of the terminating mobile subscriber in the case of an incoming call.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for purchasing prepaid services. A request to purchase a prepaid service is received. The request includes a service number that uniquely identifies the prepaid service and a device number that uniquely identifies a requesting device. The service number and the device number are communicated for activation, and a verification message is received indicating the prepaid service has been successfully activated.

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: An exemplary method implemented in a telecommunication network generates a charging data record (CDR) for a subscriber that is supported by a visited network while away from the subscriber's home network. A request is transmitted from a first node in the visited network for profile information about the subscriber to be obtained from the home subscriber server (HSS) in the subscriber's home network. A reply is received at the first node in the visited network in response to the request where the reply includes at least a portion of the profile information about the subscriber stored in the HSS of the subscriber's home network. The first node stores the at least portion of the profile information received in the reply, and generates the CDR associated with the subscriber as supported in the visited network where the CDR includes subscriber data derived from the stored at least portion of the profile 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: 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: A telecommunications service implements an account code reporting feature by storing an account code associated with a subscriber at a service control point (SCP) in the public switched telephone network (PSTN). When a call is initiated from the subscriber's terminal, the SCP receives outgoing call data, including the subscriber's telephone number, a called party number and an account code entered from the subscriber's terminal. The SCP determines whether the call is subject to the account code reporting service and, if so, stores the call data. The SCP transmits the call data to a service management system accessible by the subscriber via a graphical user interface through a packet switched data network and an interactive voice response through the PSTN. The call is subject to the account code reporting service when the called party number is in the same local access and transport area as the subscriber's telephone number.

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: The present invention relates to a method for providing user equipment information associated with use of services provided via a communication system. The method comprises a step of collecting, in a network element, use information relating to use, by the user equipment during a period, of a service provided via the communication system. The method comprises a further step of loading, by the network element, the use information on the user equipment according to a predetermined plan. An information provision entity, user equipment and a communication system are configured to execute the method.

Abstract: A management server includes a determination unit and a notification unit. The determination unit determines a communication network to which a mobile terminal connectable to a plurality of the communication networks by one telephone number is connecting. The notification unit issues a notice on the communication network connecting to the mobile terminal based on a result of the determination by the determination unit.

Abstract: A system and method uses a digital phone order management (DPOM) system to manage the ordering and provisioning of digital telephone services in a cable system. A centralized datastore of customer, order, telephone number inventory and provisioning information is accessible to access devices used by a customer service representative (CSR) of a cable operator, a voice provisioning specialist (VPS) of a local exchange carrier (CLEC), and a cable operator installation technician to schedule and provision based on permissions granted by an administrator. The sharing of information allows a CSR to manage orders for digital telephone services and to coordinate installation and provisioning so as to reduce the time to complete an order and use installation resources efficiently.

Abstract: A system and method for processing gathered call data from a network monitoring system to prepare the call data for analyzing call routing across a network, not limited to call data associated with the transit portion of a call path. The system and method include correlating call data to form a correlated set, ordering the call data in the correlated set to form a compound CDR, and enriching the compound CDR by comparing CDRs within the compound CDR to each other.

Abstract: A medium access control (MAC) entity first computes an achievable rate region based on a total transmit power limit and a channel gain of each of a plurality of WTRUs. Next, the MAC entity selects an order of DPC among the WTRUs. A rate set for use in transmitting to the WTRUs is then selected, said rate set being within the computed achievable rate region. Then, based on the selected DPC order and rate set, a DPC entity performs DPC on a plurality of data streams intended for the plurality of WTRUs. If nested lattice-based DPC is utilized, rate compatibility is achieved by selecting proper nesting ratios corresponding to a desired data rate set. Otherwise, if binary-code based DPC is utilized, rate compatibility is achieved via selecting appropriate message input sizes for input to point-to-point coding units prior to performing DPC.

Abstract: A method for enabling enhanced call return in a wireless network comprising receiving an incoming telephone call from a caller, wherein the incoming telephone call identifies a mobile subscriber (MS) as a callee thereof; capturing caller-specific information for the caller, wherein the caller-specific information includes at least one of the name of the caller and the telephone number of the caller; and storing the caller-specific information into an intelligent peripheral (IP) within the wireless network. The method further comprises allowing the MS to access the caller-specific information stored in the IP. The present invention thus allows the mobile subscriber (MS) to subscribe to an enhanced call return (ECR) feature as part of the mobile telephone service plan. The ECR feature allows the mobile subscriber to access caller-specific information for a predetermined number of past callers and also to return calls from those past callers.

Abstract: A system and method track short term and long term intervals to assess whether a voice message source is a likely source of voice spam. Upon detection of a spamming threshold, calls from the source are blocked until detection that a sufficient time interval has elapsed without generation of messages.

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 of evaluating automatic message accounting records associated with telephony calls is disclosed. The system includes correlation logic to collect originating AMA records having an originating call code to identify a record of an originating long distance call and further to collect terminating AMA records that correspond to the collected originating automatic message accounting records. The system also includes evaluation logic to determine when a call may be by-passing terminating access charges by identifying calls that have been correlated with an originating AMA record having the originating code and with a terminating AMA record having a local termination code.

Abstract: To facilitate real-time pricing, an embodiment of the invention retrieves multiple quotes from multiple databases associated with multiple service providers. Information regarding a customer's location, and the locations of multiple service providers are used to determine the cost of services associated with each of the multiple service providers in real-time. The retrieved quotes are compared, and quotes below a pre-determined price threshold are provided to a user in real-time (e.g., via the Internet). The user can select a desired quote from the quotes provided, and purchase or request more information regarding the desired quote online.

Abstract: A telephone call is billed that originates in a primary carrier telecommunications network and terminates in a secondary telecommunications carrier network. The call is billed by generating multiple billing records in response to the telephone call, at least one billing record comprising a toll free number administered by the secondary carrier. It is determined whether the toll free number is administered by the secondary carrier; and the billing record including the toll free number administered by the secondary carrier is discarded when it is determined that the toll free number is administered by the secondary carrier. Thus, the primary carrier only bills for a portion of the call that was connected from the caller to the termination point of the primary carrier network.