Abstract: A method of operating a call duration analysis system comprises receiving a plurality of call detail records (CDRs) comprising information associated with a plurality of calls over a wireless communication network, processing the CDRs to determine an average call duration for the wireless communication network, processing the CDRs with the average call duration for the wireless communication network to determine at least one wireless access node associated with a below-average call duration, processing the CDRs associated with the wireless access node to determine a first set of the CDRs associated with the wireless access node exhibiting a good RF status and a second set of the CDRs associated with the wireless access node exhibiting a bad RF status, and processing the first set of the CDRs to determine a wireless communication device type associated with the below-average call duration.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for implementing mobile device-based bandwidth throttling. In one aspect, a method includes receiving policy from a wireless carrier that specifies one or more data usage thresholds allotted by the wireless carrier for data transferred over a wireless carrier network during a predetermined period of time, determining an amount of data that has been transferred by the mobile device over the wireless carrier network during the predetermined period of time, determining that the amount exceeds one or more of the data usage thresholds, and throttling the bandwidth of a mobile device over the wireless carrier network based on determining that the amount exceeds one or more of the data usage thresholds.

Abstract: A charging correlation method for an application or service is provided. The method may include: receiving a service identifier assigned for an application or service; and correlating Charging Data Records CDRs generated for the application or service based on the service identifier. A charging correlation system, a billing center and an apparatus are also provided. These method and apparatus may provide a simple charging correlation process for an application or service.

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 and apparatus for providing automated processing of a switched voice alarm on a switched and/or Internet Protocol (IP) network are disclosed. For example, the method receives an alarm associated with a switched voice service, and retrieves a Local Routing Number (LRN) or Primary Inter-exchange Carrier (PIC) information from a switch serving a call associated with a caller's telephone number. The method determines if the alarm is due to one or more service degradations, and notifies a work center responsible for one or more of the service degradations if the alarm is due to the one or more service degradations.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a mobile user cluster by call detail records (CDRs) is provided. The system and method identifies at least one mobile user cluster according to a plurality of CDRs generated by a plurality of mobile users during a first period and a second period of time. Each mobile user of the identified cluster generates at least one CDR at a same geographical location during the first period of time, and a mobile user sequence is formed between any two mobile users of the identified cluster. At least one CDR is generated between any two neighboring mobile users of the mobile user sequence during the second period of time. Examples for the mobile user cluster include cohabiting family members, familiar neighborhood, colleagues, schoolmates, etc.

Abstract: A computing device displays a call history graphical user interface (GUI). The call history GUI includes a new list and an old list. The new list may include new missed call elements and missed call elements associated with new unopened voicemails. The old list may include other call history GUI elements, such as old missed call elements and missed call elements associated with opened voicemails.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes first and second substrates with a liquid crystal material therebetween; a first alignment film formed on the first substrate and a second alignment film formed on the second substrate; a first align mark on the first substrate, the first align mark formed of the same material as the first alignment film and formed in a shape of any one of a circle, square and cross; and a second align mark to be aligned with the first align mark on the second substrate.

Abstract: The present invention enables a method for following the state of a call and generating defects as function of call completion success as opposed to discrete events that happen at individual network elements during the call. In one embodiment, the invention uses Call Detail Records (CDR) to analyze the end-to-end completion status to measure per call basis defects instead of using defect codes generated by network elements on a per equipment basis. CDR is data associated with a telephone call, including the calling and the called numbers, the date and timestamp, the duration, the call setup delay, and the final handling code of the telephone call.

Abstract: Embodiments of techniques and systems for asynchronous offline bill review and payment are described. A bill payment management module, operated on a manageability engine on a mobile device, communicates with an online bill payment service. The bill payment management module may receive information about bill payments, including bills which are due, and presents selective information to a bill payment client application. A bill payer can then access the information on the mobile device through the bill payment client application and review or change the payment amounts. The review and the modifications may be performed when the mobile device is offline and the modifications may be stored until a later time when the mobile device can connect to a network. Once a network is available, the bill payment management module may send payment instructions to the online bill payment service. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking patients to enable communications. A presence of a patient is detected in a room. Communications intended for the patient are associated with the room. The communications are routed to the patient in the room.

Abstract: In an example method of correlating charging data records within an offline charging system, each of a plurality of sources selects a same one of a plurality of charging functions in which to route charging information associated with a given call session or event. In an example, the plurality of sources corresponds to either a plurality of network elements or a plurality of charging data functions. In another example, the plurality of charging functions corresponds to either a plurality of charging data functions or a plurality of charging gateway functions. At the selected charging function, the routed charging information is correlated.

Abstract: A telecommunications toll network system employs a central database computer to provide routing and calling rate instructions to toll switches. To allow sponsors of pay services, such as 900 number information services, to control the kinds of calls they receive and the rates charged, the central database computer employs routing plans. These routing plans contain conditional branches selected based on data provided in a query from the originating toll switch (OTS) and sent to the database computer via common channel signaling (CCS). According to embodiments, sponsors can insert objects, called rate nodes, in their routing plans to override the default rate to be applied to the call. Rate nodes are non-branching elements inserted in a routing plan that specify a rate to be used for billing. The rate is specified on the automated message accounting (AMA) record and used by a billing platform to generate bills to the callers.

Abstract: A security method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system, a telephone call from a user. The computing system comprises an existing password/passphrase and a pre-recorded voice sample associated with the user. The computing system prompts the user to enter a password/passphrase using speech. The computing system receives speech data comprising a first password/passphrase from the user. The computing system converts the speech data to text data. The computing system first compares the text data to the first password/passphrase and determines a match. The computing system compares the speech data to the pre-recorded voice sample to determine a result indicating whether a frequency spectrum associated with the speech data matches a frequency spectrum associated with the pre-recorded voice sample. The computing system transmits the result to the user.

Abstract: A system manages subscribers' data of mobile telephones in a wireless network. A plurality of data servers are located according to geographic service areas, and each of the data servers may store subscribers' data of mobile telephones based on the respective geographic area. Location of subscribers' data is determined depending upon subscribers' ID, to which two or more Mobile telephone Numbers (MTNs) are assigned. Two or more MTNs may have different area codes for which subscribers' data are stored in at least two or more of the data servers. A terminal receives a request of subscriber's data of a first Mobile telephone Number (MTN) and retrieves a subscriber's ID corresponding to the first MTN from an Electronic Telephone Number Inventory (eTNI) database. A router determines a first data server corresponding to the retrieved subscriber's ID and routes the request to the first data server.

Abstract: A computer-assisted system and method for auditing a communications bill wherein billing information is collected, reformatted and stored for use in a set of automated audits. The system and method for auditing a communications bill further collects data from other external systems such as a work order system, a trouble ticket system, an inventory system, an AMA/SMDR data source, an SS7 event record data source, or another source of call records or billing records. The data collected is used in a set of automated audits to determine if the communications bills contain errors. The system and method will further perform historical audits, and generate and manage the billing dispute process. The system and method will further provide audit reports and interface to an accounts payable system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing call correlation across network elements are disclosed. For example, the method receives by a first correlation engine one or more Call Detail Records (CDRs) from one or more network elements at a completion of a call wherein each of said one or more CDRs contains a correlation identification and a service identification. The method identifies a list of expected CDRs for said call and determines whether all of said expected CDRs for said call are received. The method then creates a CDR set for the call.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and a method for assembling and coordinating call data records from a plurality of network elements of an Internet Protocol Multimedia System call to generate charging information. A pre-biller stores an integrated charging record and accesses a rating engine to obtain the charging information to complete a charging data record. Advantageously, the information from a plurality of network elements is integrated into a combined charging data record.

Abstract: Communication networks and associated methods are disclosed that provide charging for long duration sessions. A charging data system of the communication network receives interim accounting request messages from a network element that is serving a session. The charging data system identifies interim timestamps for the interim accounting request messages, and stores the interim timestamps. After a time period during the long duration session, the charging data system generates a partial CDR. The charging data system then inserts duration information for the long duration session in the partial CDR based on the stored interim timestamps, and transmits the partial CDR to a correlation system. The correlation system may then calculate a total duration for the session based on the duration information in the partial CDR. Even if a start/stop timestamp is not available, the correlation system may estimate the total duration of the session based on the interim timestamps.

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: In a push-to-talk communication system, a domain name server transfers a registration server role, call server role, and media server role. A first server receives the registration server role and responsively registers push-to-talk users and maintains a first time of day. A second server receives the call server role and responsively establishes push-to-talk calls and maintains a second time of day. A third server receives the media server role and responsively transfers push-to-talk media and maintains a third time of day. A management system receives and processes data from the servers to verify that their time of day is synchronized and to verify that the servers are performing their assigned push-to-talk roles.

Abstract: A substantially real-time graph-based rule engine that analyzes connectivities, both direct and indirect relationships, between entities stored in a database as the database is updated (e.g., with CDR or financial transaction data). The rule engine uses pre-defined rules to detect events (i.e., the database updates) that influence the relationship between entities in the database. When the database is updated with events (e.g., CDRs), the real-time rule engine compares the update to any relevant rules. If the real-time based rule engine finds a match between a rule and an update to the database, then the rule engine generates a notification, such as an alert. The alerts may be used to provide notification of, e.g, fraudulent activities.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a Short Message (SM) calling party, including: if a Signal Relay Function for support of Mobile Number Portability (MNP-SRF) module detects a calling party number carried in an SM belongs to its serving network after receiving a Mobile Originated (MO) SM, the MNP_SRF module adds an identifier of the MNP_SRF module's network to the calling party number. A Short Message Serving Center (SMSC) determines whether the SM passes calling party authentication according to the fact that whether the calling party number carries an identifier of the SMSC's network. The invention provides a system for authenticating an SM calling party, including: a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), a calling MNP_SRF module, a Number Portability Database (NPDB) and a Short Message Serving Center (SMSC). The invention may avoid a mobile number having subscribed to a new network from using resources of the SMSC of a network to which the subscription has been canceled.

Abstract: A method for attributing costs for a telephone call in an SS7 network. Information associated with the telephone call is captured and retained when the telephone call is provided to a call recipient by a second carrier that is a UNE-P lessee of a first carrier. The captured information is stored when including a CNAM query. The CNAM query is associated with the second carrier and reflected in an updated record containing the total volume of CNAM queries handled by the first carrier for the second carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing a caller at a contact center includes prompting the caller for a password associated with a certificate of disability of the caller, then accessing a database that contains the certificate authenticating the password to retrieve information listed in the certificate. The certificate information includes a type of disability of the caller. Following authentication, the system provides a service response appropriate for the type of disability of the caller. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method provides detecting a roaming operator by a mobile communications device, where the mobile communications device is associated with a home operator; receiving a data service, by the mobile communications device, provided by the roaming operator independent of the home operator; sending information, from the mobile communications device, to the roaming operator for the roaming operator to authenticate the mobile communications device with the home operator; and receiving a voice service, by the mobile communications device, provided by the roaming operator based on the authentication by the roaming operator of the mobile communications device with the home operator.

Abstract: A charging method in One Number Links You (ONLY) service includes: delivering information of simultaneous ringing numbers bonded with an ONLY number to a Service Switching Point (SSP) by a Service Control Point (SCP) of an Intelligent Network when the SCP receives a request for calling the ONLY number; initiating a call to the simultaneous ringing numbers and detecting an off-hook-and-answering number among the simultaneous ringing numbers by the SSP; and calculating charges of the off-hook-and-answering number after the call is terminated. With the charging method provided, accurate charging between an ONLY number and its bonded simultaneous ringing numbers can be implemented.

Abstract: A method of ensuring call processing for an intelligent user, including: upon receiving a call, judging, by a first Service Switching Point (SSP), whether traffic between the first SSP and a Service Control Point (SCP) is abnormal; if the traffic is abnormal, turning off, by the first SSP, intelligent triggers located in itself and related to the call, and performing an ordinary call connection; otherwise, performing an intelligent call connection, and terminating the process. In the embodiments of the present invention, normal communications can be ensured between intelligent users, even if the traffic between the SSP and the SCP is abnormal.

Abstract: A system for processing calls based on call attributes includes a call screening processor arranged for receiving a call setup message for placing a call between an originating switch and a dialed number. The call setup message contains basic network information including at least the number dialed and information related to the originating switch. The call screening processor matches the basic network information with data in a database in response to receiving a call setup message. The data in the database identifies call attributes of the call setup message based on the data matched to basic network information. The identified call attributes comprise call attributes comprise at least one of trunk ID, member ID, and destination. The call screening processor then processes the call setup message in accordance with the call attributes by appending data to the call setup message or altering the call setup message.

Abstract: A messaging interface provides the flexibility to allow interchangeability of underlying telecommunications service provider processing systems, such as billing systems. At the same time, the messaging interface extends the underlying functionality of the telecommunications service provider processing system to a series of business events defined as part of a common data model shared across multiple telecommunication service provider processing systems. The messaging may implement a mechanism for tracking the implementation of the business event in the underlying telecommunication service provider processing systems.

Abstract: In embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods of handling calls received from customers. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a call from a customer who called a promotional telephone number. The phone call is connected to an IVR system. The IVR system maintains a set of rules for handling calls. The method further includes creating a call detail record, which includes a unique identifier, a source telephone number, and the promotional telephone number. A customized greeting is then played to the customer based on the promotional telephone number the customer dialed. Based on the rules for handling calls, the call is redirected from the IVR system to an agent along with transmitting and displaying the call detail record to the agent.

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: The present invention provides a charging system and charging method. An online charging system and an offline charging system are interconnected via a shared data center to make up a dual-engine structure, which is able to implement online charging, offline charging, account sharing, switching between prepaid and postpaid modes, and binding of voice and data services. With the invention, an operator can possess more flexible charging and control capabilities, lower the cost of arrearage, and have stronger competitiveness.

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 for charging for services in a communication system comprises a charging entity. The method comprises a step of sending a first message to the charging entity. The method also comprises a step of generating a charging identity at the charging entity if it is determined that the first message does not include a charging identity.

Abstract: A telecommunications messaging architecture efficiently routes messages to the appropriate support systems which process the messages. The messaging architecture is a partially merged architecture in which selected previously independent processing systems (e.g., customer relationship management systems) have been merged. Despite the partially merged architecture, a routing system flexibly routes messages between the merged systems and the appropriate supporting systems. The supporting systems may multiple independent billing systems which have not been merged, for example.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products collect and deliver call data associated with court ordered trap and/or traces. A method involves receiving a request to monitor calls to and/or from a target telephone number where the request includes request parameters such as the target telephone number. The method further involves storing the request where the target telephone number is stored in association with a court order and utilizing the request to identify and retrieve call records matching the request parameters. Utilizing the request to identify and retrieve call records matching the request parameters may involve creating a text file including the request parameters, reading the request parameters from the text file, monitoring call records for call records matching the request parameters, and storing call records that match the request parameters. The call records that match are stored in association with the court order and the target telephone number.

Abstract: A method for network denial case generation includes receiving a plurality of third-party carrier call records associated with a plurality of subscriber telematics units at a call center wherein each call record includes a call status, determining at least one call record having a failure condition based on the call status, determining a subscriber telematics unit associated with the call record having the failure condition, and determining a network denial case action for the subscriber telematics unit based on the failure condition. A computer usable medium with suitable computer program code is employed for network denial case generation.

Abstract: A method includes retrieving a first data set from a billing system configured to facilitate a billing operation associated with a network. The first data set includes a plurality of billing records, which includes a first billing record associated with and including a field identifying a first circuit from a plurality of circuits included within the network. A second data set is retrieved from a configuration management system configured to facilitate an operation associated with the network. The second data set includes a plurality of configuration records, which includes a first configuration record associated with and including a field identifying the first circuit. When the field identifying the first circuit included in the first configuration record differs from the field identifying the first circuit included in the first billing record, a correct identifier associated with the first circuit is determined. When such a discrepancy exists, a report is produced.

Abstract: A method and system for charging for services in a communication system comprises a charging entity and at least two connection support entities for providing resources to support a connection in the communication system. Various steps include detecting initiation of a connection by the connection support entities; generating a charging identity for identifying the connection; determining a first charge for supporting the connection by the first connection support entity; determining a second charge for the support of the connection by the second connection support entity; transmitting a first charging message from the first connection support entity to the charging entity, the message specifying the first charge and including the charging identity; and transmitting a second charging message from the second connection support entity to the charging entity, the second charging message specifying the second charge and including the charging identity.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for extracting information from a telecommunications invoice is provided. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method may include: receiving a telecommunications invoice data stream in a first data format; analyzing the telecommunications invoice data stream to determine the first data format; modeling the telecommunications invoice data stream; and mapping the modeled telecommunications invoice data stream to a normalized data format. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method may include: where the modeling of the telecommunications invoice data stream may further include any of: creating a model for the first data format; modeling the telecommunications invoice data stream according to the model; and/or modeling the telecommunications invoice data stream with an intelligent adapter.

Abstract: A network management system (100) has a communications interface (110), a memory (104), and a controller (102). The controller is programmed to retrieve (202) a plurality of call detail records (CDRs), reconstruct (208) call paths from attributes in the plurality of CDRs, and generate (210) extended CDRs from reconstructed call paths.

Abstract: A system and method for adding contact information to a personal network address book is provided. Contact information is added to the address book by analyzing a billing database or call detail record in order to determine telephone numbers which meet predetermined criteria set by a user. Telephone numbers meeting the predetermined criteria are extracted and transferred to the user. The user is prompted for a nickname corresponding to each extracted telephone number. The nickname and the corresponding telephone number are then stored in the personal network address book. In a voice activated dialing system, the user is able to speak the nickname in order to initiate the dialing process.

Abstract: A serving GPRS node (SGSN) is made content aware by passing content based rate information in the GPRS tunnel protocol (GTP) header. The SGSN uses the PDP context request to inform a GPRS support node (GGSN) that it is content aware and can process the content based rate information. In one embodiment, the rate information is passed in a GTP extension header. A new GTP header type tells the SGSN that rate information is present in the GTP header content field. In an alternate embodiment, the rate information is passed in a fourth octet of a four octet tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of listening in to calls between two or more subscribers of a communications network comprising one or more IP networks as well as to a listening server, a call control server, and an IP router for carrying out the method. When the listening server detects a request to monitor one of the subscribers, it determines at least one call control server assigned to the subscriber. Further, at least one IP router is determined which is responsible for a network access point of the subscriber to the IP network or IP networks. The listening server causes the at least one determined call control server to acquire call data associated with calls in which the subscriber is involved. Further, the at least one determined IP router is caused to acquire contents data associated with calls in which the subscriber is involved.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pooling a plurality of telecommunication users into groups is disclosed. One method includes ranking the telecommunication users in an order based on a usage parameter. The usage parameter, for example, may be the average service usage time per billing period. Once ranked, the telecommunication users are pooled into at least two groups, each group comprising at least one telecommunication user within a range of ranks. The method may further include calculating estimated costs for the users to use cost-effective rate plans selected from a group of available rate plans and re-pooling the users into other possible combinations to determine the most cost-effective pooling combination and respective rate plans.

Abstract: Techniques for using billing services to manage a personal address book are provided. The techniques comprise receiving a call detail record (CDR) for a plain old telephone system (POTS) or a voice-over-IP (VOIP) call by a user. The CDR is created by a telecommunication carrier that routed the call. The CDR may be stored on a telecommunications server associated with the telecommunications carrier. Address information for the call is determined from the CDR. This address information is added to the personal address book for the user. This address information may be available for the user when using an IM client.

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: Methods and systems for using a communication to execute a transaction with respect to an account. A communication is received on a calling line associated with a calling line number. An account number and a transaction amount are obtained from the communication. The account number corresponds to an account with respect to which a transaction is to be conducted. The transaction amount may be a number of units, a dollar amount, etc. A validation may be carried out to determine whether the caller or calling line number is authorized with respect to the conduct of the transaction. In an exemplary embodiment, a billing message is created to include the account number, the transaction amount, and the calling line number. The account number and the transaction amount from the billing message are used to execute the transaction with respect to the account corresponding to the account number.