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 system is provided for tracking mobile devices combining packet processing technology with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. A central network system comprising a packet processing subsystem receives transmitted GPS location data from a mobile device transmitting GPS location data, wherein the packet processing subsystem uses a table access scheme to process the GPS location data and produce responsive mapping data, and the central network processing system compares the mapping data to a map and identifies a corresponding map location. Embodiments may also correlate device identification data, tracking table entries, and/or billing zone charges. In some embodiments a look-up key is built responsive to the GPS location data and used to identify map locations. The table access scheme may be a key hashing scheme and, in particular, a longest prefix match type scheme.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for notifying a primary wireless unit in a group calling plan that a wireless unit in the group calling plan has call activity. An MSC determines if there is call activity on a wireless phone. The MSC determines if the wireless phone is a member of a call monitoring group. If so, the MSC records call information related to the call activity and sends the call information to the primary wireless unit.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a wireless network includes receiving at a mobile device a signal having data indicative of a location of the mobile device. A determination is made whether the mobile device is within the coverage area of a specified network based on the data. The mobile device scans for the specified network in response to at least determining that it is within the coverage area of the specified network.

Abstract: An asset/account activation device and method are provided. According to a first preferred method, an asset may be activated by a point of sale device utilizing multiple security mechanisms. Activation codes are sent by secure electronic transmission from an activation host to the activation device. Upon execution of the asset purchase, the activation device dispenses the activation code. Prior thereto, a physical representation of the asset, in the form of a card or the like, has printed thereon an asset ID. To activate the asset, the asset owner contacts a processing device wherein the activation code and asset ID are compared based on time constraints, retailer location constraints and other constraints. Other security checks may be incorporated to include velocity checks. The apparatus of the invention includes an activation host, an activation device, a processing device or VRU, and an activation database.

Abstract: A system and method for blocking uncollectible random call traffic of a telecommunication network. The system includes a database that stores a plurality of customer and call data, a fraud detection server that extracts from the database a plurality of customer and call data pertaining to uncollectible random call traffic and generates a call block list; at least one switch lookup table; and at least one telecommunication switch located within the telecommunication network that routes or prohibits telecommunication network traffic over the telecommunication network based upon information contained in the at least one switch lookup table.

Abstract: A call pricing center that assists Internet Protocol (IP)-compatible devices in defining preferences, including prices, for completing an IP routed transaction. A centralized routing engine associated with a clearinghouse uses the preferences to assist IP devices in making routing decisions. The pricing center provides IP network operators and retail IP telephony gateway operators with significant flexibility by allowing them to designate preferences and preference criteria. A source gateway operator may set preferences such as the maximum price that it is willing to paid for a call, the maximum delay that will be tolerated and the maximum autonomous system hop count that will be tolerated. A destination gateway operator may also set preferences relating to the prices it will charge for terminating calls. Using preference criteria, a gateway operator may specify particular times call prices are to be effective and to what called number ranges they are to be applied.

Abstract: A communication switching system comprising a first time counter for registering a starting time of a communication service, the first time counter adapted to change the present reference time according to a request given during the communication service, a second time counter for registering the beginning and the ending time of the communication service, the second time counter not responsive to the request to change the present reference time during the communication service, and a main processor for computing a service charge for the communication service based on the time difference between the beginning time and the ending time registered in the second time counter in reference to the starting time registered in the first time counter, wherein a subscriber is charged according to the exact call time used for the communication service.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a call pricing center that assists gateway operators in defining preferences, including call prices for terminating an IP telephony call. A centralized routing engine associated with a clearinghouse uses the preferences to assist gateways in making routing decisions. The call pricing center provides IP network operators and retail IP telephony gateway operators with significant flexibility by allowing them to designate preferences and preference criteria. Preference criteria define circumstances in which preferences are to be applied. A source gateway operator may set preferences such as the maximum price that it is willing to paid for a call, the maximum delay that will be tolerated and the maximum autonomous system hop count that will be tolerated. A destination gateway operator may also set preferences relating to the prices it will charge for terminating calls.

Abstract: A subscriber (12) of a communications carrier is rewarded upon meeting certain criterion. Upon receipt of the subscriber's call, the carrier accesses a profile for the subscriber indicative of the subscriber's relationship with the carrier. Based on the information in the profile, as well as any external criterion the carrier may impose, the carrier determines whether the subscriber is eligible for a reward, and if so, then provides an announcement of the reward during the call. The carrier then provides the reward, which may be a reward of communications of service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for executing a conference call session between parties provides collaboration between nodes having separate conference-bridging capabilities, so that selection from a number of alternative connectivity schemes can be based upon bridge-to-bridge negotiation. The selection of a connectivity scheme may be based upon one or more of cost and telecommunication resource availability. Selection may also be based upon stored historical data relating to prior conference calls involving at least one of said parties and/or upon historical data of patterns of node resource availability. A conference bridge includes a user interface, a message interface, a connectivity computation component, a conference bridge manager, and a multimedia exchange component. An input to the connectivity computation component includes a database having tariff table information and resource-demand cycle information.

Abstract: In a private branch exchange having an optimum route selecting function of selecting an optimum route by taking the destination, day of the week, time zone, permissive class of the extension terminal and the like into consideration when a call originating request from the extension terminal is generated, adequately processing dial number and outputting the same to an outgoing line so as to use the route, the route is selected by taking usage rates of the respective routes into consideration. Further, in the route selecting process, the route is selected by taking communication time (estimated value) into consideration.

Abstract: The call toll processing method comprises a calling party toll data input step wherein calling party toll data is input from a toll processing data table that stores calling party toll data determined on the basis of data regarding the distance from the originating subscriber to the originating exchange accommodating the originating subscriber, a location data extraction step wherein location data relating to the terminating exchange accommodating the terminating subscriber having the dialed number input by the originating subscriber is extracted from dialing data, a called party toll data input step wherein called party toll data determined on the basis of data regarding the distance from the terminating subscriber to the terminating exchange is input from the terminating exchange, and a call toll computation step wherein call tolls between the originating subscriber and the terminating subscriber are computed on the basis of at least calling party toll data input in the calling party toll data input step, l

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing the lowest available telecommunications charge to a user is described. The lowest available charge is provided by locating switches in different telecommunications charge zones, determining which switch will provide the lowest available charge at a selected time, and using that switch to place calls to a transmitter device and a receiver device so that information signals can be transmitted between the devices.

Abstract: Interexchange carriers make their rate information for long-distance service available in a database. PBXs and telephone central offices access that rate information using ISDN and/or SS7 signaling and use it as a basis for determining which carder to use at any given time in the routing of a call. Such accessing may be carried out on a call-by-call basis. Or a carrier's schedule of rates can be stored locally in the PBX or local switching office, thereby obviating the need for a database query for every call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing the lowest available telecommunications charge to a user is described. The lowest available charge is provided by locating switches in different telecommunications charge zones, determining which switch will provide the lowest available charge at a selected time, and using that switch to place calls to a transmitter device and a receiver device so that information signals can be transmitted between the devices.