Abstract: A telecommunications system and method are disclosed for providing information relating to a telephone call associated with an access point within a telecommunications system, such as a telephone line or telephone number, to a software application in substantial real time. The system and method include assigning a destination address to the telecommunications system access point about which telephone call information is desired, and sending an electronic message to the destination address in response to a telephone call being established utilizing the access point. The electronic message includes, among other things, information relating to the telephone call and the access point.

Abstract: In a communications network that provides services to a plurality of users, events occurring during service processing are accumulated in an event record and sent to a record processor to perform post-processing, such as assessing charges to be billed to users of the network. Each service processing node in the communications network accumulates event records, bundles them with instructions as to how they are be processed, and dispatches them to one or more record processors. Before being sent to a record processor, an event record is augmented with instructions describing how to perform processing upon the events in the event record. The record processors are general-purpose processors and the instructions for post-processing are carried within the event records themselves. Post-processors are no longer required to be dedicated to a particular purpose such as billing computation.

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

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

Abstract: A system and method downloads data and reconfigures the data into a database. A telephone user purchases a specific number of lines and specific services (i.e., call waiting) from a telephone company. The telephony company then programs a switch associated with that user so that the user receives the services purchased. The telephone company also inserts the user's purchases into a database used for generating the user's bills. Discrepancies can occur between the data in the switch and the data in the billing database. Billing correction is performed by downloading all of the data within a switch, reconfiguring the data into a database and then comparing the switch database against the billing database to detect billing errors. To facilitate ease of this billing correction process, the switch database is transmitted to the billing correction center via a network instead of the traditional method of using direct tape copies of the switch being physically transported to the billing correction center.

Abstract: A system and method for partitioning call detail records (CDRs) is disclosed. CDRs are grouped and routed based on one or more digits of the billable telephone number or the billable mobile identification number (MIN). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the last two digits of the billable telephone number or MIN are used. Once partitioned, the CDRs may be distributed across multiple processes for additional processing. In addition, subscriber, rate, and other information that may be necessary for usage processing is routed to processes based on the corresponding billable telephone number or MIN.

Abstract: A system and method for processing telephone calls and providing enhanced services is presented. The call processing system includes a network control processor for controlling the processing and routing of the calls and for providing enhanced features, and a matrix switch for routing calls from an originating location to a terminating location. Operator consoles can be included to provide operator assistance to the caller. The network control processor comprises a central message processor that receives call data, determines the type of call, determines the processing required, and determines whether operator assistance is required. A call route distributor allocates an operator console to the call if required. A billing server is used to track billing information for the call while it is in progress. A database server is provided for database look-ups and storage.

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

Abstract: A method for using at least one Bad Billed Number Record (BBN) to detect fraud in a telecommunication system includes the steps of generating the at least one BBN for each call attempt made using a billing product, when the call attempt satisfies any one of a plurality of fraud criteria; storing the at least one BBN in a storage queue for later retrieval; and retrieving and analyzing the at least one BBN to increment a plurality of fraud control counters according to the analysis. A system for using a plurality of BBNs to detect fraud in a telecommunications system includes a network operator service platform (OSP) for generating BBNs based on received call attempts; a network information concentrator (NIC) for temporarily storing the generated BBNs; and a fraud monitoring system for retrieving the stored BBNs, filtering out unidentifiable BBNs, analyzing identifiable BBNs, and generating alarms based on the analysis.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically determines which communication service plan is the most cost effective for a communication device. The system operates by receiving usage statistics for the communication device, as well as a set of available service plans for the communication device. The system uses the usage statistics to calculate charges for the available service plans in order to determine the most cost-effective service plan, and then communicates results of the determination to an interested party. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system charges the interested party a fee for providing the results of the determination. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system additionally receives a request to switch a current service plan to an alternate service plan, and then switches the current service plan to the alternate service plan.

Abstract: A call detail record (CDR) management tool is used to calculate statistics using data in one or more CDRs, view data in one or more CDRs and extract one or more CDRs. The CDRs are generated by a switch and stored in a raw binary format. The raw CDRs are converted from a raw format to a generic format to facilitate the management tool's operations. Statistics include any statistic that can be calculated from telephone call data stored in the CDRs. The viewer allows viewing and storage of one or more fields of CDR data. The extraction tool can store extracted CDRs in raw format or generic format.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing customers with telecommunications intelligence in the form of call management reports. When a call is made to a subscriber of the service provided herein, a call detail record is created using the Telephone Company's Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). Each call that is made to the customer is processed using AIN service logic programs (SLPs). The SLP is invoked by an AIN trigger that is applied to the track telephone number(s) of the customers that subscribe to this service. For each inbound call, the SLP records several pieces of identifying information in a call detail record. Periodically, the AIN application accumulates the call detail records for all customers subscribing to the service. The information is processed to retrieve the desired data from the call detail records, and the data retrieved is used to develop call management reports for each subscriber of the service.

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.

Abstract: Method and system for processing charge messages in a telecommunication system comprising a registering point for distinguishing received charge messages from each other, a first telephone exchange connected to a calling subscriber and a second telephone exchange connected to a called subscriber, said telephone exchange using charge calculation based on charge messages of the originating and terminating side, a charge message being sent during call set-up from the originating side to the registering point. A charge message received from the terminating side is checked; the charge data or the originating side and terminating side are combined if they bear similarities; the charge message is modified to from a replacing charge message that contains the combined charge data; and the replacing charge message is sent to the registering point.

Abstract: A method of creating a call usage record is provided. An input signal is received. A call usage record is created in response to the received input signal. An event jacket is created. The event jacket is associated with the call usage record. A command to place a call is received. A confirmation signal is received after the call has been placed. Finally, a call leg jacket is created. The call leg jacket includes at least one record. The at least one record includes information relating to the call.

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: In known telephone systems it is very difficult to change call detailed records CDR formatted from a raw data flow. In the proposed method, the exchange supplier formats a special mother form, which is a file and which shows in plain language (in ASCII form) all names and parameters of fields in the raw data flow. The operator has a program using a graphic interface and showing the mother form in the display. Beside it a user form blank is seen and the user selects the fields he desires simply by dragging with the mouse the field of his choice from the mother form into the user form and by dropping the field here (drag and drop). In this manner the user formats his own form, which contains such data only which he wishes to have in the CDR. When the user form has arrived at the telephone exchange and at the billing center, it can be activated at any time.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting call detail record (CDR) data in a multi-site enterprise environment and providing call accounting services based on such information. A single multi-site IP buffer box (MIBB) receives CDR data from several private branch exchange (PBX) units over an IP network in real time. The MIBB maintains a table with the IP addresses of each PBX unit from which CDR data may be received. Each IP address is associated with a particular PBX and/or enterprise site. For each CDR ticket received, the MIBB identifies the particular PBX unit transmitting the CDR ticket based on the source address of the transmitting PBX unit. The MIBB then generates a CDR message including the CDR data and information on the particular PBX unit and/or enterprise site to which the CDR data pertains. The MIBB transmits the CDR message to a call accounting processor over a serial or network connection if the call accounting processor is enabled.

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

Abstract: A billing system for a telecommunications network uses a monitoring software agent to monitor messages, indicative of individual calls on the network, passing between a service switching point and a service control point. Call record information is extracted and is stored in a local call record database. Information from each call record database is then passed on to a central database, using updating mobile agents, the central database being accessible to such agents and report building agents which can extract billing information as requested by an operator. By monitoring the messages as they pass, the system can provide real time billing information without needing to poll the switch at the service switching point.

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.

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

Abstract: A lawfully authorized electronic surveillance operation requires reporting of detailed call data for a variety of calls associated with the subject of the surveillance. For at least some specified calls to or from the subject, the invention provides profile data in a switching office serving the subject that causes the office to generate accounting messages for each call, essentially in the same manner as for billing, regardless of whether the calls are billable. Accounting records formed from the messages are uploaded to a server system, for processing and formatting as necessary for delivery to the law enforcement agency. The surveillance could entirely rely on these accounting records for the data reporting. In the preferred embodiments, however, the surveillance also involves monitoring of common channel signaling messages to accumulate call detail records for surveillance purposes, with respect to many calls associated with the subject.

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

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method are disclosed for providing information relating to a telephone call associated with an access point within a telecommunications system, such as a telephone line or telephone number, to a software application in substantial real time. The system and method include assigning a destination address to the telecommunications system access point about which telephone call information is desired, and sending an electronic message to the destination address in response to a telephone call being established utilizing the access point. The electronic message includes, among other things, information relating to the telephone call and the access point.

Abstract: Request and response messages conforming to Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) between media gateways 12 and 16 and a media gateway controller (MGC) 22 are examined to enable them to be correlated. The correlated messages are assembled to produce a call detail record (CDR) describing a voice or data call established over an IP network via the media gateways under the control of the MGC.

Abstract: During peak usage times in a communications system, a communications control system and a billing system are required to handle a very large volume of communications from a large number of communications devices. Due to the large s volume, the control system and billing system are often overburdened, causing them to not record each and every communication. As a result, some of the communications conducted during peak times are not recorded and hence are not billed to customers, thereby causing a loss in potential revenue. The present invention provides a solution to this problem. Namely, each communications device is adapted to maintain a log of the communications conducted using that communications device. This log information is communicated to the control system at some later time (probably during an off-peak period) to enable the control system to retroactively update the billing system.

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

Abstract: A system and method for managing roaming billing records for a telephone caller's home subscriber network. The invention includes a method for roaming networks to push roaming billing records in real time back to a subscriber's home network.

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

Abstract: A point of presence with data collecting means (24; 43) arranged for collecting predetermined data and having a first output for outputting said predetermined data at a first transmission rate, the point of presence having forwarding means (22, 28(1), 28(2); 44) with a forwarding means output for outputting data to a dedicated telecommunication network (8) at a second transmission rate differing from said first transmission rate, said point of presence also having feedback means (26(1), 26(2), 26(3), 26(4); 46, 48; 46, 48, 26(5), 52) having a feedback input and a feedback output, said feedback means being arranged to receive said predetermined data at said first transmission rate from said data collecting means (24; 43), said forwarding means (22, 28(1), 28(2); 44) being connected to said feedback output for receiving said predetermined data and forwarding these predetermined data to said dedicated telecommunication network (8) at said second transmission rate.

Abstract: A mediation system for a telephone network. The telephone network includes a plurality of signaling service points (SSPs) communicating message signaling unit (MSU) data with a plurality of signal transfer points (STPs). The MSU data is routed on data links connecting the plurality of SSPs and STPs. The mediation system includes a probe and a mediator. The probe is connected to at least one of the data links for intercepting the MSU data routed on the one data link, and the mediator is coupled to the probe for collecting the MSU data generating a call detail record (CDR). The probe intercepts either A-link data and/or E-link data on the data links. The mediator correlates the MSU data against a call list and generates either a full CDR or a partial CDR depending on a mode selected by a user of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for partitioning call detail records (CDRs) is disclosed. CDRs are grouped and routed based on one or more digits of the billable telephone number or the billable mobile identification number (MIN). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the last two digits of the billable telephone number or MIN are used. Once partitioned, the CDRs may be distributed across multiple processes for additional processing. In addition, subscriber, rate, and other information that may be necessary for usage processing is routed to processes based on the corresponding billable telephone number or MIN.

Abstract: In the inventive procedure for implementing event-based billing in conjunction with services provided for consumers via a telephone connection in a telecommunication system, a connection is set up between a consumer's terminal device and an intelligent peripheral, a service is selected in the peripheral by means of the terminal device, an assessment request based on the selected service is sent from the peripheral to a service control point and, based on the assessment requests sent by the peripheral, an event-based bill for the customer is produced.

Abstract: A configuration tracking system for a call detail record (CDR) filtering system keeps track of the contexts under which CDRs are collected and filtered. The configuration tracking system is useful in a multiple concurrent filtering paradigm, in which several CDR filters may be active at any given time and the filter criteria are dynamically altered. Filter criteria for multiple filters are recorded in a dynamically changing table. The configuration tracking system maintains a historical record of the filter criteria in the dynamically changing table. The configuration tracking system updates its historical record by detecting changes in the dynamically changing filter table, comparing earlier and later versions of the table, and opening and/or closing timestamped filter records in response.

Abstract: In known telephone systems it is very difficult to change call detailed records CDR formatted from a raw data flow. In the proposed method, the exchange supplier formats a special mother form, which is a file and which shows in plain language (in ASCII form) all names and parameters of fields in the raw data flow. The operator has a program using a graphic interface and showing the mother form in the display. Beside it a user form blank is seen and the user selects the fields he desires simply by dragging with the mouse the field of his choice from the mother form into the user form and by dropping the field here (drag and drop). In this manner the user formats his own form, which contains such data only which he wishes to have in the CDR. When the user form has arrived at the telephone exchange and at the billing center, it can be activated at any time.

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

Abstract: Constrained operation performance of exchanges (50) and switches (16, 216) of wireline communication systems (10) is mitigated and single entry point management of the system maintained through the provision of a distributed multi-service hub (MSH) sub-net (350) architecture in which individual MSHs (302-308) have hidden point codes (1001-1003). A signalling server (352) is able to translate an address of the MSH sub-net into a point code associated with an MSH entry point into the MSH sub-net, while dialled digit information pertaining to a service or party identifies a related MSH exit point from the MSH sub-net (350). A path can therefore be established, with the signalling server (352) further required to ensure that the hidden point code associated with the MSH exit point is translated back to the address of the MSH sub-net in onward routing of signalling messages to the dialled service or party.

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

Abstract: Method and system for processing charge messages in a telecommunication system comprising a registering point for distinguishing received charge messages from each other, a first telephone exchange connected to a calling subscriber and a second telephone exchange connected to a called subscriber, said telephone exchange using charge calculation based on charge messages of the originating and terminating side, a charge message being sent during call set-up from the originating side to the registering point. A charge message received from the terminating side is checked; the charge data or the originating side and terminating side are combined if they bear similarities; the charge message is modified to from a replacing charge message that contains the combined charge data; and the replacing charge message is sent to the registering point.

Abstract: In a communications network, the duration of a pre-answer phase of a call is recorded with reference to a number of signalling events associated with the set-up of the call. A billing record may be generated corresponding to the recorded pre-answer phase and may be used, for example, to bill customers carrying out stealth polling of terminals on an ISDN network.

Abstract: A configuration tracking system for a call detail record (CDR) filtering system keeps track of the contexts under which CDRs are collected and filtered. The configuration tracking system is useful in a multiple concurrent filtering paradigm, in which several CDR filters may be active at any given time and the filter criteria are dynamically altered. Filter criteria for multiple filters are recorded in a dynamically changing table. The configuration tracking system maintains a historical record of the filter criteria in the dynamically changing table. The configuration tracking system updates its historical record by detecting changes in the dynamically changing filter table, comparing earlier and later versions of the table, and opening and/or closing timestamped filter records in response.

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 which are 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 the invention, sponsors can insert objects in their routing plans to override the default rate to be applied to the call. These objects are called rate nodes. 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 system efficiently transfers a telephone call from a caller terminal for a desired class of service and produces separate billing records for each leg of the call. The system includes a network level server connected to a network level switch. The network switch receives the call from the caller terminal and transmits information about the call to the network server. The network server produces a first directory number for the call based on the call information from the network switch. The network switch receives the first directory number from the network server, establishes a first connection from the caller terminal to a first terminal identified by the call using the first directory number, and creates a first billing record for the first connection. The network server receives a request to transfer the call to a second terminal from the first terminal and produces a second directory number for the call transfer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus provide a frequency discount for host payable calls provided by a communication network. Call information, including the customer's telephone number and the dialed telephone number, is processed to determine whether a particular call is eligible for the frequency discount. A host profile is retrieved from a memory based on the dialed telephone number from which the eligibility conditions of the discount are obtained. Customer records are retrieved from the same or different memory based on the customer telephone number. If the customer's history meets the conditions outlined by the host profile, the discount is awarded.

Abstract: Audio information is distributed from a service center to a large group of subscribers on a regular basis, depending on the desires of the individual subscribers. The audio information can be educational, recreational, or informational in nature. The service center stores user profile information, stores compressed audio recordings for future delivery, transmits compressed audio information to each base unit, and interfaces with subscribers. The base unit provides readiness status to the service center. The service center sends compressed digital audio information to the base station, after which the base station receives the compressed audio unattended, and automatically decodes and records the audio information on a cassette or other recording device. Communication between the service center and each base unit may use a data network that operates on top of the Public Switched Telephone Network using xDSL modems or a cable network using cable modems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an optical retardation film comprising at least one layer of an anisotropic polymer material, to a method of rubbing a substrate for the alignment of liquid crystal or mesogenic material that can be used in the above process, to an optical retardation film obtainable by the above process, to the use of such an optical retardation film in a liquid crystal display, and to a liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal cell and such an optical retardation film.

Abstract: This invention provides telecommunication companies and operators of private branch exchanges (PBXs) with the ability to detect the use of modem calls and bill the user accordingly. By detecting a modem call, the telecommunication company and PBX operator can bill the modem call differently than a voice call. Billing rate structure plans can be created based on the connection time of the modem call, the number of bits transferred during the modem connection, or a combination of both connection time and number of bits transferred.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating and updating an authorization list associated with a subscriber which may be used to determine whether a party initiating a telephone call is on a list of parties authorized by the subscriber. If the calling party is not on the list of authorized parties, a fee may be charged to the calling party in return for being connected to the subscriber. Preferably, the present invention is implemented at the subscriber's central office, i.e., at the central office which services the subscriber. In accordance with common-channel signaling, commonly referred to as signaling system 7 (SS7), the calling party's telephone number and identity are received in the call signaling data transmitted to the central office which services the subscriber.

Abstract: A method for improved automatic message accounting in telephony systems and the like, wherein actual call routing set-up is stored at the time of a call being answered by a called subscriber station; and the data conveying the actual call routing set-up is packaged in a data field of a message for upstream transmission through the actual call routes.