Assembling Billing Record (e.g., Automatic Message Account (ama), Call Detail Record (cdr), Etc.) Patents (Class 379/126)
  • Patent number: 7599288
    Abstract: Embodiments for monitoring a network are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes collecting data containing information on usage of a network by subscribers. The method further aggregates the data for a first type of usage-based function. Further, the method, simultaneously with the aggregating of the data, samples the data for a second, different type of usage-based function. In other embodiments, systems and machine readable media for monitoring usage of a network are also provided that provide simultaneous generation of data sets for first and second usage-based functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond E. Cole, Scott Putnam Lamons
  • Patent number: 7583794
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Patent number: 7577241
    Abstract: A method is provided for supporting a call record suppression feature in a telecommunications network (30). The method includes: handling a call for an end user terminal (10) served by a facility (20) of the telecommunications network (30); determining if the call record suppression feature is active for the end user terminal (10); processing a call record for the handled call if it is determined that the call record suppression feature is not active for the end user terminal (10); and, suppressing the processing of the call record if it is determined that the call record suppression feature is active for the end user terminal (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Benco, Sanjeev Mahajan, Baoling S. Sheen, Sandra Lynn True
  • Patent number: 7570750
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Frederick Michael Armanino, Carol Mingst, George Swinston McLain, David Lewis Kimble, John D. Estes
  • Patent number: 7561682
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method display incoming and outgoing call log data associated with telephone calls to and from a plurality of subscriber telephone numbers from one or more telephone networks. 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 a call log gateway that translates the message into an asynchronous message containing call log data. The call log gateway forwards the asynchronous message to a unified communication platform where it is placed in subscriber mailbox and made available as a call log to a subscriber via a graphic user interface over the internet. A web server retrieves the call log and displays it to the subscriber at a web client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I.L.P.
    Inventors: James M. Doherty, Larry B. Pearson
  • Patent number: 7529356
    Abstract: A system for billing Internet protocol (IP) telephony, or other telecommunication calls transmitted over data packet networks, is provided. Calls may be routed over networks of different types, e.g., H.323 networks or IP voice networks. Different types of network devices, e.g., call managers, switches, or gateways, may transmit legs within a call. Each device type typically generates call records that have data fields unique to that device. In order to generate a single billing record for each call, call records are standardized and then matched with call records from other devices. Key fields within call records that may be matched include: call connect timestamps, signal start timestamps, calling party identifiers, called party identifiers, or network device identifiers. Timestamps within call records may be synchronized from a common time server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jawhny Cooke, Ted Huff
  • Patent number: 7508926
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property 1, L.P.
    Inventors: William Konrad Wardin, Melanie Louise Murphy
  • Patent number: 7508925
    Abstract: A processor readable medium embodying executable instructions to correct call detail records includes instructions to scan a received file including a plurality of call detail records to detect a file rejection condition, instructions to edit the received file to produce a modified file in response to detecting the file rejection condition, and instructions to forward the modified file to a downstream transaction record processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 7496185
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, correlating, and storing telecom data as call detail records (CDRs) are described. A computer system collects real-time call data from a plurality of sources and stores the data in different memory locations. A real-time buffer is used to correlate the data into a CDR. A separate process collects reference data from one or more third-party sources to supplement each CDR and stores this data in different memory locations. A reference data buffer is then used to correlate the reference data into existing CDRs. A data manager layer then inserts each enhanced CDR into a plurality of distributed database systems. CDRs may be separated among multiple database systems, may be inserted into more than one database depending on application use, and may be partitioned to optimize access and retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Mantas, Inc.
    Inventors: Franco Primavesi, Mario Margolis
  • Patent number: 7492881
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide intelligent queuing with respect to processing transaction records. According to one embodiment, transaction records, such as collect calling records, are initially processed to a point that they are ready for release to an appropriate third party for further processing, billing, and/or collection, and are submitted to a queue. Queued transaction records preferably have initial queuing period information associated therewith. Embodiments dynamically change such queuing period information while a transaction record is pending in the queue, such as based upon further intelligence collected with respect to the party to the transaction, based upon subsequent transaction behavior, etcetera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Evercom Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Hite, Robert Mudd, Paula Jourde, Jimmie Jones, Jr., Richard Falcone
  • Patent number: 7466808
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Benco, Kevin J. Overend, Baoling S. Sheen, Sandra L. True, Kenneth J. Voight
  • Patent number: 7440557
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Dale Gunderman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7430286
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott P. Alcott, Thomas L. Linton, Diane I. Primo
  • Patent number: 7424103
    Abstract: A method of identifying arbitrage includes determining whether originating and terminating call detail records (CDRs) are correlated and obtaining correlated candidate pairs from the determined CDRs; establishing whether a correlated candidate pair of the obtained correlated candidate pairs is a unique pair; and if established that a correlated candidate pair is unique, determining an amount of arbitrage based on the comparison of the originating and terminating CDR fields of the unique correlated candidate pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Philip Kernohan, Michelle Mary Tompkins
  • Patent number: 7420978
    Abstract: A telecommunication service charges for voice calls entering a network over a particular time period, such as a billing period. A parameter or parameters related to the number of information units (e.g., packets, bytes or bits) used to transmit the plurality of voice calls over the network is measured. A charge for the plurality of voice calls is computed based on the one or more parameters measured. The one or more parameters may be used to compute a charge for the plurality of voice calls based on the total number of information units transmitted, average number of information units transmitted, peak information units transmitted over the billing period or some combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventors: J. Michael Holloway, Samuel R. Shiffman
  • Patent number: 7388948
    Abstract: A method of evaluating automatic message accounting records associated with telephony calls that originate at a local exchange carrier telephony office and that are routed over an inter-exchange carrier telephony facility is disclosed. The method comprises collecting originating automatic message accounting records associated with the originating local exchange carrier telephony office, and collecting terminating automatic message accounting records that correspond to the originating automatic message accounting records. A first portion of the terminating automatic message accounting records have a terminating access code and a second portion of the terminating automatic message accounting records have a local termination code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Frederick Michael Armanino, Carol Mingst, George Swinston McLain, David Lewis Kimble, John D. Estes
  • Patent number: 7373136
    Abstract: A method and system for rating a data communication session between a network and a wireless device is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method monitors a series of events, namely, a setup event, a begin event and an end event, which take place during a communication session. The monitoring of such events is accomplished by a data rating application which resides on the wireless device. By monitoring such events, the data rating application is then able to rate the communication session using a number of rating options. The rating option selected includes both how to meter the data transmitted during a data communication session and determine the rate to be applied to each metered increment. Examples of methods used to meter the data include time and volume. Different rating options which can be used to rate the communication session include, for example, application, data utilization, source of data, class of service, quality of service and transmission efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Telemac Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore W. Watler, Jerry Hanley
  • Patent number: 7369651
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignees: AT&T Labs, Inc., AT&T Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lewis Brandt, Bojana Mamuzic, James Thomas Miller, Stephen Mark Mueller
  • Patent number: 7369842
    Abstract: A mobile switching center is configured with software instructions which allow it to continue to provide at least limited call termination and call origination services for mobile terminals in the event of a failure of a signaling link between the mobile switching center and a home location register and/or a signal control point (SCP) in an intelligent network. For pre-paid callers originating or terminating a call, the mobile switching center marks a call detail record as indicating that the call is a post-paid call. The call detail record is later provided to the SCP after the signaling link has been restored in order to bill the mobile terminal. In one example, the signaling link between the mobile switching center and the home location register or SCP may be a satellite link, which may go down for various reasons such as for maintenances, an unexpected failure, or the orbit of the satellite goes outside the field of reception of an antenna in the signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: UTStarcom, Inc.
    Inventors: Man Sang Lui, Suryadi Wen
  • Patent number: 7366493
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Traq Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: William Marsh, John Merritt, Juan Gonzales
  • Patent number: 7359715
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ojas T. Choksi
  • Patent number: 7302045
    Abstract: A method and system for verifying the connection-related communications data registered by a network node, where the connection-related communications data are used for the calculation of charges includes establishing at least one predetermined test communication connection. By clearing the predetermined test communication connection via the network node and registering a time of an event, the system and method registers the time of at least one additional event for calculating charges at a predetermined measuring point lying outside of the network node. A systematic temporal measuring error is determined. A reference data record containing time-related data and a connection-related communications data record generated is generated. The method corrects the time-related data of the reference data by the ascertained systematic temporal measuring error and compares the reference data record to the connection-related communications data record to determine if a difference lies within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
    Inventors: Monika Schmidt, Ernst Schneider
  • Patent number: 7295829
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for communicating one or more telecommunication call records associated with a telecommunication system, the one or more call records are transmitted from a remote telecommunication device. The system includes a telecommunication switch; and a computing system adapted for communicating with the telecommunication switch, the computing system including one or more computers having one or more processors for executing one or more sets of logic instructions, a memory circuit for storing the one or more sets of logic instructions to be executed and a storage device in communication thereto. The method includes receiving the one or more dial digits; transmitting the one or more dial digits to a computer system at a local site; and storing the one or more dial digits in a database in communication with the computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T BLS Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuergen Boehmke
  • Patent number: 7286647
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a configurable telecommunications detail record adapter are disclosed. In one method, a user defines input data formats and output data formats via a graphical user interface. The text entered by the user is converted into a configuration file. The configuration file is converted into source code, and the source code is automatically converted into an executable adapter instance. In this manner, different adapter instances may be quickly and easily created by the user to process different input telecommunications detail record formats, such as formats of different probe vendors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Tekelec
    Inventors: Charles D. Stormon, Sanjay Ambardar, Kuldeep Sharma, Vijay Singh
  • Patent number: 7277532
    Abstract: In a signalling network employing the SS7 signalling protocol, it is known to use masks to mine CDR stores in order to obtain data for analysis in respect of a particular customer of a communications network associated with the signalling network. However, the use of masks to mine the CDRs can result in the retrieval of unwanted CDRs or the omission of relevant CDRs. The present invention therefore provides a call monitoring apparatus that receives a CDR and accesses a reference database, comprising a list of customers and respective telephone numbers, in order to identify an association between the CDR and a given customer. Consequently, speed and efficiency of analysis of CDRs is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Holloway Locke, John William Forsyth Macartney, Richard Beattie, Alan Gardner
  • Patent number: 7263180
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a plurality of call detail records (CDRs) each indicative of a call transaction on a telecommunications network. The method includes receiving the plurality of CDRs at a first controller, wherein each of the CDRs include a data structure including a plurality of fields each containing at least one character. The method then selects a first sorting field from the plurality of fields and groups the plurality of CDRs as a function of data within the first sorting field. In one embodiment, the first sorting field is used to group the CDRs according to different carriers. The method then analyzes at least one additional sorting field within each of the CDRs which were previously grouped according to the first sorting field. A report is then generated for each of the grouped CDRs as a function of data within the additional sorting field. In this way, periodic, customized reports can be generated from information contained with CDRs with user-selectable sorting or analysis fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: Ameritech Communications, Inc., Pacific Telesis Shared Services
    Inventors: Richard D. Kreckel, Raymond P. Watson
  • Patent number: 7260195
    Abstract: A system and method that enables a telecommunications consumer to define groups to be included in a monthly bill, and then periodically generate a bill in accordance with the consumer's specifications. In one embodiment, the invention includes a plurality of portable wireless telephone stations; a plurality of wired telephone stations; a plurality of local exchange carriers (LECs); at least one mobile switching center (MSC) and at least one mobile base antenna tower. Each MSC, LEC and IXC is adapted to operate a program that allows a telecommunications consumer to define groups to be included in a monthly bill, and then periodically generate a bill in accordance with the consumer's specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Boris S. Elman, Jesse Hefter
  • Patent number: 7248678
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for routing and information collection for telephone calls are described. Upon initiation of a revenue generating call, a data management module creates a call interaction record, including a unique call identifier and information generated by an exchange originating the call. Call accounting information such as user identification and billing account information are collected from the user by presenting audible queries from the user and receiving voice responses. The voice responses are matched to stored information, which is stored in the call interaction record. If a voice response does not unambiguously identify the requested information, further queries may be presented to elicit more refined responses or request responses for recording and later playback. Routing information is then collected, again through audible queries and voice responses, and stored. Upon completion of the call, the call interaction record is closed and stored for later retrieval and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Nicholas Adams, Sedelia Boudreaux, Christopher D. Cordom, June Snyder Fusco, Robert Eric Grundmann, Rodell Scott Sweet
  • Patent number: 7245609
    Abstract: A system for identifying calls traversing a packet network. The system includes an analysis device that receives first signaling information from a packet network and second signaling information from a circuit network. The analysis device correlates the first signaling information with the second signaling information to generate correlated records about calls that traverse both the packet switched network and the circuit network. A database system receives the correlated records and calculates statistics describing traffic that traversed both the packet network and the circuit network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D'Eletto
  • Patent number: 7231024
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for selecting or generating a single call detail record (CDR) from a plurality of CDRs associated with a call that includes a plurality of legs are disclosed. According to one aspect, a CDR selection/consolidation function may analyze CDRs for calls that involve a plurality of legs and select a representative CDR for the call. The selected CDR is provided to a network services application. According to another aspect, the CDR selection/consolidation function may locate a plurality of CDRs associated with a multi-leg call and produce a single consolidated or “blended” CDR that is representative of the call. The consolidated CDR may contain information from some or all of the multiple CDRs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Tekelec
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Moisey, Clifton D. Petteway, Peter J. Marsico
  • Patent number: 7206393
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus is coupled to receive call data records from a telephone network (4), for example an SS7 network. The apparatus (1) receives data records of different types having different formats. For each different type of data record, the apparatus (1) has a library (9, 10, 11 ) of type-specific functions associated with the particular type of data record. The apparatus (1) also has a set (8) of common functions available which contains functions that can be utilized for all types of data records, and for managing the system. Instructions are received by the apparatus (1), which indicate which type or types of data records are to be received and which functions are to be carried out on the data records. The apparatus (1) then creates a function list of the particular functions that are to be carried out before executing the particular functions on the received data records and then storing the processed records in a database (12, 13, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Forsyth Macartney, Richard Beattie, Neil John McKenzie, Alistair Kenneth Clement Scott
  • Patent number: 7203290
    Abstract: Call detail records are generated for usage of a telecommunications service established in a telecommunications network, by monitoring messages in a signalling system for co-ordinating operation of the network and carried over signalling links in the signalling system between a service switching function entity and a service control function entity. Messages are selected that relate to instances of usage of the telecommunications service initiated by the service switching function entity to at least one signal switching point in the network. These selected messages are correlated in accordance with the usage instance to which they relate, and information in the correlated selected messages is used to derive a call detail record for an instance of usage of the telecommunications service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Hurst
  • Patent number: 7203291
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating data for long duration calls includes: call sensors distributed across a network for detecting call messages, correlating call messages relating to a call, and for storing call message related information, including at least one of the call network endpoints in an at least partial correlated call record; a time detection module for determining which network endpoints are located in a time standard that has just passed, or is about to pass, a predetermined time; and a call record controller for providing a control signal instructing at least some call sensors to determine whether any correlated call records relate to a call that includes one of the determined network endpoints and that started more than a predetermined time period prior to the predetermined time. The call sensors generate and transmit for storage an interim call data record (CDR) for each of the determined correlated call records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suzanne Morrison, Neil Mckenzie
  • Patent number: 7203301
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods in which call intelligence, such as may be disposed in communication with signaling systems utilized in controlling calls, is used to provide information for making determinations with respect to the treatment of calls. Call intelligence may be coupled to or disposed within such networks to receive signaling therefrom and/or transmit signaling thereto for determining the appropriate treatment of a call and, preferably, controlling the treatment of a call in accordance with such determination. Signaling messages received by call intelligence may be utilized to determine that a particular calling activity (e.g., enhanced calling service such as call forwarding or three-way calling) is being employed, to collect data with respect to a call, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Evercom Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Mudd, Richard Falcone, Lee R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7190772
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating accurate call detail records in networks that utilize number portability are disclosed. A number portability reconciliation (NPR) monitoring system receives signaling messages relating to different calls or transactions. The signaling messages may be copied from a network monitoring location upstream from where a number portability database lookup occurs for a call. The monitoring system automatically correlates messages relating to the same call or transaction into a call detail record usable by a plurality of different network monitoring applications. The NPR monitoring system determines whether number portability processing is required, and, in response, the NPR monitoring system queries a number portability database. The NPR monitoring system receives a response from the number portability database and updates the call detail record based on the response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Tekelec
    Inventors: Kenneth Andrew Moisey, Peter Joseph Marsico
  • Patent number: 7187760
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: AT&T Labs, Inc., AT&T Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lewis Brandt, Bojana Mamuzic, James Thomas Miller, Stephen Mark Mueller
  • Patent number: 7174156
    Abstract: For calls involving a wireless device on a wireless wide area network, a network entity may create an electronic record for the call that includes an indication of whether the call was established with vocoder bypass. A service provider of the wireless wide area network may then use the indications in the electronic records, at least in part, as a basis for billing a user of the wireless device. The service provider may additionally use the electronic records to generate statistics about the usage of the wireless wide area network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventor: Manish Mangal
  • Patent number: 7170982
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing billing request and response messages to a billing server for serving calls by a particular subscriber. When the subscriber originates a call, an original billing request message is transmitted to an agent server. The agent server determines which billing server serves that subscriber and forwards the billing message to the selected billing server. The billing server responds to the request message with billing request data. Advantageously, this arrangement minimizes the problems of updating a large number of subscriber identification/billing server identification databases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Xiang Yang Li, Min Liu, John B. Reid, Guy H. Starner, Ashish Trivedi, Peng Wang, Yile Enoch Wang, Jun Zheng Yang, Lei Zhang, Jay Z. Zhao
  • Patent number: 7164758
    Abstract: A system and method for ensuring that a digital switching exchange is able to properly collect data on the charges incurred for pay connections by providing a verification of the accuracy of the communications data records generated by the digital switching exchange. A system and method containing at least one test unit that is able to be linked to the digital switching exchange. The test unit includes a device for generating a connection-related reference data record. The digital switching exchange is able to generate at least one connection-related communications data record from transmitted communications elements. The contents of the connection-related reference data record are compared in a system evaluator to the contents of each connection-related communications data record belonging to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
    Inventors: Ernst Schneider, Monika Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7158821
    Abstract: Passengers on board a vehicle make and receive calls via a satellite network. That network sees each passenger involved in a call as a temporary dummy subscriber of the satellite network. Thus the satellite network is used to manage the roaming of passengers on aircraft. An intermediate network and the terrestrial mobile telephone network therefore do not need to manage the roaming of the aircraft. The terrestrial mobile telephone network sees each node of the intermediate network as a dummy base station and each passenger involved in a call as a dummy mobile subscriber of the terrestrial mobile telephone network, in the service area of one of the dummy base stations. The terrestrial fixed telephone network sees each passenger involved in a call as a subscriber of another fixed network managed by another operator. The intermediate network sees the satellite network as a standard terrestrial mobile telephone network, able to manage the roaming of its subscribers itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Josette Roux, legal representative, Raphaël Roux, deceased
  • Patent number: 7154998
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignees: SBC Services, Inc., Pacific Telesis Shared Services, Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bonnie Clark, Emma M. Espinoza, Catherine E. Harris, Margaret M. Hassel, Anita Elizabeth Neroda, Michael Thane Paquette, Danny Lee Roper, Carolyn Marie Ukena, Stephen James Votava
  • Patent number: 7152200
    Abstract: A database report writer and customer data management system and method provides a GUI type interface to allow users convenient on-line access, such as via the Internet, to customer billing and inventory data in the form of an on-line report. The present invention facilitates on-line creation of report definitions which specify desired data to be produced in a report, and other parameters relating to display, sorting, accounting, grouping, and filtering of report information. The present invention also allows users to create custom database tables and input their own data for display in reports along with billing and inventory data. As a result, the present invention provides the ability to eliminate conventional hardcopy reports typically produced in the form of a billing statement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Russ L. Albert, Michelle L. Specht, Jeremy L. Eagleman, Randi J. Parker
  • Patent number: 7149292
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: SBC Holdings Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: William Konrad Wardin, Melanie Louise Murphy
  • Patent number: 7145994
    Abstract: A method for charging Internet protocol multimedia communication sessions within a telecommunication system is disclosed. Charging records are generated by a control element in the system with a same correlation identifier for all the charging records produced for a communication session between parties. A multi-sided correlation identifier and a charging information field containing information related to a determined charging plan is passed via session control protocol between control elements. The charging plan information, along with the multi-sided correlation identifier, is propagated between control elements in the system. The multi-sided correlation identifier and selected charging data is included in each charging record generated for the communication session by each control element. The charge for the communication session is calculated on the basis of the selected charging data received by via the charging records including the multi-sided correlation identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: André Marcel Moreau, Lieve Maria Marcella Rosemarijn Bos
  • Patent number: 7142652
    Abstract: A method of identifying work at home users of a telecommunications network based on call detail records. The phone numbers of the work at home users are identified from call detail records that exhibit characteristics of work at home users. In one embodiment this involves selecting records describing calls to phone numbers of known Internet Service Providers; excluding records describing calls less than a predetermined length of time; excluding records containing originating numbers with records describing calls to an ISP that occur on weekends; and excluding records containing originating numbers with records describing calls to an ISP that occur outside normal business hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Ho
  • Patent number: 7136636
    Abstract: A system and method for using location data to monitor wireless network events are described. One exemplary method includes establishing a plurality of location history records for mobile terminals, establishing a plurality of network operation records for the plurality of mobile stations, and combining the location history records with the network operation records to determine locations of predetermined network events, such as a dropped call event or a blocked call event, in the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventor: Daniel McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 7130399
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for assembling a line record for a customer's telephone number. One embodiment communicates with a communications network and acquires, in real time, at least one of i) information associated with the customer's service, ii) facility information associated with the customer's service, and iii) information associated with equipment used by the customer. The acquired information is assembled as the line record. An alternative embodiment communicates a request, over a communications network, for the line record. This alternative embodiment acquires, in real time, at least one of customer information from a Customer Record Information System, facility information from a Loop Facility Assignment Control System, and equipment information from a switch system. The acquired information is assembled as the line record, wherein each request for the line record is comprised of fresh data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Jean, Judy M. Marcopulos, Rita H. Scherer
  • Patent number: 7123710
    Abstract: Methods and systems for intelligent signaling-router-based surveillance are disclosed. A surveillance and signaling router receives call signaling messages, identifies call signaling messages associated with users under surveillance and determines a surveillance type for the call signaling messages. If the surveillance type is content-related, the surveillance and signaling router forwards the message to a call server. The call server replaces parameters in the message and in subsequent messages so that the call is transparently set up through a media proxy server. The media proxy server copies the media stream to a delivery function. If the surveillance type is non-content-related, the surveillance and signaling router sends a copy of the message or information extracted from the message to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Tekelec
    Inventor: Venkataramaiah Ravishankar
  • Patent number: 7113576
    Abstract: A method for preprocessing transaction records indicative of subscriber activity on a telecommunication network for subsequent downstream processing is provided. The method includes receiving a file including a plurality of transaction records each having a plurality of fields, wherein each field contains at least one character. The characters of selected fields, or all fields, are analyzed to determine whether each of the characters is of a desired format. When any one of the characters is of an improper format, a first flag is set to indicate the existence of an erroneous character within the selected field of the transaction record. Each of the plurality of transaction records are also analyzed to determine whether each transaction record is within a desired category of transaction records. When any one of the plurality of transaction records within a file is not within the desired category of transaction records, a second flag is set to indicate an erroneous transaction record within the file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventor: John H. Richardson
  • Patent number: 7106840
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott P. Alcott, Thomas L. Linton, Diane I. Primo