Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080205614 | Pre-biller in internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) charging gateway function (CGF) - 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. | 08-28-2008 |
20080240016 | IMS NETWORKS PROVIDING BUSINESS-RELATED CONTENT TO WIRELESS DEVICES - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing business-related content to wireless devices that are located within a business. For a business that has a WLAN, wireless devices within range of the wireless access point of the business receive an identifier for the wireless access point. The wireless devices then register with the IMS network using the access point ID. Through the access point ID, the IMS network identifies an application server that is associated with the business. The application server may then initiate sessions with the wireless devices, and transmit business-related content to the wireless devices while they are within range of the wireless access point of the business. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243655 | IMPLEMENTING RATING TIMER CONTROL IN A PRE-BILLER TO SUPPORT ONLINE AND OFFLINE CHARGING - The present invention provides a method of processing information associated with off-line billed communications in a communications network. The method includes providing at least one charging data record to a rating engine. The charging data record(s) include information associated with at least one off-line communication and are provided in response to receiving the charging data record(s). The rating engine determines costs of the off-line communication(s) at a time determined based on at least one time control category associated with the charging data record(s). The method also includes modifying the charging data record(s) to include information indicative of the cost(s) of the off-line communication(s) determined by the rating engine. | 10-02-2008 |
20080244266 | AUTHENTICATING A COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND A USER OF THE COMMUNICATION DEVICE IN AN IMS NETWORK - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for authenticating a communication device and a user of the communication device. When a communication device attempts to register with an IMS network, the IMS network receives a register message from the device that includes device authentication information, such as a public or private identifier for the device. The IMS network processes the device authentication information to authenticate the communication device. The IMS network also receives user authentication information from the device, such as a password. The IMS network processes the user authentication information to authenticate the user of the device. The device and the user are both authenticated by the IMS network. Authentication of the user may also occur when originating a session or terminating a session over the IMS network with the device. | 10-02-2008 |
20080261559 | CAMEL SERVICE CHARGING IN IMS NETWORKS - IMS networks and associated methods are disclosed that provide charging for CAMEL services provided in the IMS network. If a CAMEL service is provided by an application server for a session in an IMS network, then the application server generates CAMEL charging data for the service provided and also generates a charging message, such as a Diameter ACR message. The application server includes the CAMEL charging data in the charging message and transmits the charging message to a charging collector system. The charging collector system generates a CDR for the session, and maps the CAMEL charging data from the charging message to the CDR. The charging collector system then transmits the CDR to a billing system. The billing system may then charge for the CAMEL service provided in the IMS network. | 10-23-2008 |
20080299944 | Charging element capacity control in an IMS network - Systems and methods are disclosed that allow an equipment vendor to monitor and detect overloads of IMS charging element equipment (e.g., the CCF or CDF) relative to certain vendor-specified thresholds and, responsive to detecting overloads, vendors may take action to exercise capacity control and/or collect revenue for the overload conditions. | 12-04-2008 |
20080299971 | PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT TO AN IMS USER DURING REGISTRATION - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing supplemental content to a user of a communication device during registration. When a communication device attempts to register with an IMS network, the IMS network receives a register request message from the communication device, and processes the register request message to register the communication device. The IMS network also identifies supplemental content to provide to the communication device, such as account information, weather content, news, location information, advertisements, etc. The IMS network generates a register response message, and embeds or otherwise includes the supplemental content in the register response message. The IMS network then transmits the register response message to the communication device. Responsive to receiving the register response message, the communication device identifies the supplemental content in the register response message, and provides the supplemental content to the user. | 12-04-2008 |
20080305811 | STORING ACCESS NETWORK INFORMATION FOR AN IMS USER IN A SUBSCRIBER PROFILE - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for storing information on the access network of a user in a subscriber profile for the user. When a communication device of a user attempts to register with an IMS network, a P-CSCF receives a register request message from the communication device, and identifies access network information for the user. The P-CSCF then transmits another register request message to an S-CSCF that includes the access network information, and the S-CSCF in turn forwards the access network information to an HSS. The HSS then stores the access network information in the subscriber profile for the user. Nodes in the IMS network that retrieve the subscriber profile may acquire the access network information to provide services based on the access network information. | 12-11-2008 |
20080317004 | SIP ENDPOINT CONFIGURATION IN VoIP NETWORKS - VoIP networks and methods are disclosed for configuring SIP endpoints of VoIP networks. An application server of a VoIP network identifies an endpoint configuration for the SIP endpoints, and generates a configuration command based on the endpoint configuration. The application server formats a SIP message to include the configuration command, and transmits the SIP message to the SIP endpoints. Responsive to receiving the SIP message, the SIP endpoints process the SIP message to identify the configuration command, and set local configuration parameters based on the configuration command. | 12-25-2008 |
20080317238 | DISTRIBUTED MEDIA RESOURCES IN VoIP NETWORKS FOR PROVIDING SERVICES - VoIP networks and methods are disclosed for distributing media resources in a VoIP network for providing services. VoIP endpoints, media gateways, and/or other network nodes in the VoIP network report available media resources (i.e., available processing capacity) that are able to provide services, such as providing announcements, DTMF digit collection, etc, to a distributed resource server. The distributed resource server then assigns the available media resources among the VoIP endpoints and/or media gateways to perform services for calls in the VoIP network in order to distribute the tasks of performing services among different nodes of the VoIP network. | 12-25-2008 |
20090034702 | MULTIPLE MAXIMUM DURATIONS DEFINED FOR SESSIONS OVER A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Communication networks and associated methods and systems are disclosed that provide dynamically-configurable maximum durations for sessions over a communication network. For a session, the communication network determines the traditional static maximum duration and the calculated maximum duration (for prepaid sessions). In addition to these maximum durations, the communication network also determines a dynamic maximum duration for the session based on duration criteria. The communication network then selects one of the maximum durations based on the duration criteria, and monitors the session based on the selected maximum duration. By defining the duration criteria in a particular manner, a new dynamically-configured maximum duration for sessions may be used instead of relying only on the static maximum duration and the calculated maximum duration (for prepaid sessions). | 02-05-2009 |
20090037540 | NOTIFICATION OF WAITING VOICEMAIL MESSAGES BETWEEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - Systems and methods are disclosed that provide notification of waiting voicemail messages between different types of communication networks. A first communication network as described herein includes a voicemail server to store voicemail messages for a user of a communication device. A second communication network provides phone service to the communication device but uses a different signaling protocol than the first communication network. In order to notify the user of the waiting voicemail message in the voicemail server, a subscriber server (e.g., an HLR) in the first communication network receives a voicemail waiting indicator in the signaling protocol of the first communication network, identifies the signaling protocol of the second communication network, and converts the voicemail waiting indicator to the signaling protocol of the second communication network. The second communication network may then provide notification of the waiting voicemail message to the user. | 02-05-2009 |
20090060154 | PER-SESSION DYNAMIC CHARGING CAPS IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - Communication networks and associated methods and systems are disclosed that provide per-session dynamic charging caps. For a session, the communication network includes a network element adapted to serve the session, a charging system, and a subscriber server adapted to store charging criteria defined for a party to the session. In operation, the charging system receives one or more charging request messages from the network element. Responsive to a charging request message, the charging system identifies the charging criteria defined for the party as stored in the subscriber server, and determines a dynamic charging cap for the session based on the charging criteria. A charging cap is a limited or maximum amount of time and/or money that is charged for an individual session. The charging system then limits the charging for the session based on the dynamic charging cap. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063315 | CHARGING FOR LONG DURATION SESSIONS IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - 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. | 03-05-2009 |
20090088129 | CHARGING FOR ROAMING USERS IN IMS NETWORKS - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for sharing charging information between a home IMS network and a visited IMS network. If a signaling message for a session is received in the visited IMS network, the visited IMS network assigns a visited charging identifier (e.g., ICID), and shares the visited charging identifier with the home IMS network through signaling messages. Similarly, the home IMS network assigns a home charging identifier, and shares the home charging identifier with the visited IMS network through signaling messages. When CDRs are generated in the home IMS network and the visited IMS network, the networks include the home charging identifier and the visited charging identifier in the CDRs so that billing systems may more easily correlate the CDRs from the different IMS networks. | 04-02-2009 |
20090198808 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING VIRTUAL WI-FI ACCESS - A method of providing virtual Wi-Fi service via a virtual Wi-Fi access network is provided. The method comprises: receiving data from an owner of an individual Wi-Fi access point; updating the owner of the Wi-Fi access point with access IDs, passwords, and security keys for a plurality of virtual Wi-Fi access subscribers; receiving subscriber data from a virtual Wi-Fi access subscriber; providing the subscriber with virtual Wi-Fi access log-in information; connecting the subscriber to the virtual Wi-Fi access network, wherein the virtual Wi-Fi access network comprises a plurality of individual Wi-Fi access points in communication with at least one virtual Wi-Fi access server; and billing the subscriber for virtual Wi-Fi access. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199281 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VIRTUAL WI-FI SERVICE WITH AUTHENTICATION AND ACCOUNTING CONTROL - A method of providing virtual Wi-Fi service with accounting and authentication control via a virtual Wi-Fi access network is provided. The method comprises: connecting a subscriber to the virtual Wi-Fi access network, wherein the virtual Wi-Fi access network comprises a plurality of individual Wi-Fi access points in communication with at least one virtual Wi-Fi access server; prompting the subscriber for an account ID and password; performing subscriber authentication at the virtual Wi-Fi access server; where the subscriber has been authenticated, establishing a Wi-Fi session for the subscriber in the virtual Wi-Fi access network and applying an accounting function to the Wi-Fi session; and notifying the virtual Wi-Fi access server when the subscriber exits from the virtual Wi-Fi network. | 08-06-2009 |
20090209229 | OFFLINE CHARGING FOR SESSIONS OVER A 3GPP NETWORK AND A WLAN ACCESS NETWORK - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for providing offline charging in a 3GPP network for sessions over a wireless local area network (WLAN) access network. A AAA server in the 3GPP network provides offline charging messages for a session to an offline charging system. If a data flow is established during the session, such as streaming video, then a packet data network gateway provides offline charging messages for the data flow to the offline charging system. The AAA server and the packet data network gateway share charging identifiers so that one or both are able to include the charging identifier for the session and the charging identifier for the data flow in an offline charging message. This allows the offline charging system to effectively correlate CDRs for the session with CDRs for the data flow occurring during the session. | 08-20-2009 |
20090264096 | ONLINE CHARGING FOR ROAMING USERS IN A PROXY ONLINE CHARGING SYSTEM OF A VISITED NETWORK - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing online charging credit control in a visited network when a user is roaming. The visited network which is providing service to a roaming user includes a proxy online charging system (OCS) that communicates with a home OCS in a home network of the user. The proxy OCS transmits an online charging request message to a home OCS in a home network for the roaming user requesting charging information for the roaming user. The proxy OCS receives an online charging response message from the home OCS that includes the charging information for the roaming user. The proxy OCS then processes the charging information to perform credit control for one or more network elements in the visited network that is serving the session. | 10-22-2009 |
20090264097 | CHARGING IN LTE/EPC COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing charging in LTE/EPC communication networks. In an LTE/EPC communication network, a PCRF stores charging rules for online and offline charging. To perform charging for a session, LTE network elements that are serving the session request charging rules from the PCRF. The PCRF identifies the charging rules, and assigns a unique LTE charging identifier for the session across all network elements in the LTE/EPC communication network. The LTE network elements receive the charging rules from the PCRF along with the LTE charging identifier for the session. The LTE network elements generate charging messages for the session, and insert the LTE charging identifier in the charging messages. The LTE network elements then transmit the charging messages to a charging system, such as an OCS or an OFCS. The OCS/OFCS may then correlate the charging messages for the session based on the LTE charging identifier. | 10-22-2009 |
20090286508 | PROVIDING A REAL-TIME COST OF A SESSION TO A USER - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a real-time cost for a session over a communication network to a user of a communication device. To provide the real-time cost, rate information for a session is determined, and the elapsed duration for the session is monitored. Based on the rate information and the elapsed duration, an estimated cost for the session may be determined. The estimated cost may then be displayed or otherwise provided to the user of the communication device so that the user is informed of the cost of the session as the session progresses. The rate information and an estimated account balance may also be provided to the user. | 11-19-2009 |
20100009701 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DATA MESSAGE DELIVERY TO A RECIPIENT MIGRATED ACROSS TECHNOLOGY NETWORKS - A method of providing SMS delivery to recipients migrated across different technology networks. The method includes receiving a short message service (SMS) text message from a sender at a short message service center (SMSC), wherein the SMS text message includes a destination number for a recipient of the SMS text message. A first routing request is sent to a database in a first network for SMS routing information for the destination number via a first signal transfer point (STP). The first STP determines whether the destination number is a migrated or a non-migrated destination number based on data received from the first database. An an error indication is provided to the SMSC if the destination number and the first routing request are for different communication networks. Finally, a second routing request is sent to a second database in a second network for SMS routing information for the destination number via a second STP. | 01-14-2010 |
20100042525 | IMS DEVICE OPERABLE FOR FINANCIAL TRANSACTION AUTHORIZATION AND ID CARDS DISPLAY - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for authorizing financial transactions. Credit card information, debit card information, and other purchasing data may be consolidated into an IMS device for conducting financial transactions, such as the purchasing of items from a merchant. Before a financial transaction can be completed, an IMS device transmits transaction data for the financial transaction to the IMS network. The IMS network then processes predefined purchasing rules to determine whether or not the financial transaction is authorized. If the financial transaction is authorized, then the IMS network transmits a confirmation message to the IMS device indicating that the financial transaction is authorized. If the financial transaction is not authorized, then the IMS network transmits a cancel message to the IMS device indicating that the financial transaction is not authorized. | 02-18-2010 |
20100124318 | DELIVERY OF TEXT MESSAGES TO WIRELINE PHONES THROUGH CALLER ID FUNCTIONALITIES - IMS networks, text message systems, and methods are disclosed for delivering text messages to IMS wireline phones. A text message system of an IMS network receives a text message intended for the IMS wireline phone. The text message system identifies capability data for an IMS wireline phone that indicates the capability of the IMS wireline phone for handling text messages. The text message system processes the capability data for the IMS wireline phone to determine if the IMS wireline phone is capable of handling text messages. If the IMS wireline phone is not capable of handling text messages, then the text message system appends the text message to a caller ID header of an IMS signaling message, and forwards the IMS signaling message to the IMS wireline phone to display the text message on a caller ID unit associated with the IMS wireline phone. | 05-20-2010 |
20100159962 | Short message service communication security - A system, method, and device for securely forwarding SMS messages in a communication system, for example in a communication system including an IMS network accessible to wireless devices via a radio access network. The communication system forwards SMS messages from a sending station to a receiving station via a network node. The network node, which may be an SMSC in an IMS network, is operable to determine whether the SMS message is encrypted and whether the intended recipient supports encryption, and then the network node selectively encrypts and decrypts received SMS messages prior to forwarding to the intended recipient; SMS messages received unencrypted are encrypted by the SMS message encrypter/decrypter if the intended recipient supports encryption, and SMS messages received encrypted are decrypted by the SMS message encrypter/decrypter if the intended recipient does not support SMS message encryption. SMS messages intended for a recipient determined not to support SMS message encryption may be stored in a holding database, and an alert send to the intended recipient, if the sender requires that the SMS message be sent only in encrypted form. | 06-24-2010 |
20100174785 | Dynamic sender blocking based on accumulated content violations - A content distribution gateway configured for connection between one or more content senders and at least one message center operates to dynamically block certain senders based on accumulated content violations. The content distribution gateway receives one or more electronic messages from a content sender, evaluates the messages for indicia of accumulated content violations and, responsive to the indicia exceeding a blocking criteria, blocks certain messages from the content sender. In the case where a sender is blocked based on accumulated content violations, further messages from the sender are blocked without undertaking further evaluation of content violations. The blocking feature is adaptable to accommodate different tolerances of different end users, user groups or networks. | 07-08-2010 |
20100184402 | MONITORING COMMUNICATION EVENTS INVOLVING A HANDSET IN REAL TIME - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for allowing a party (i.e., a controlling party) to monitor the usage of a handset in real time. The handset being monitored (i.e, a reporting handset) may be involved in one or more communication events, such as initiating or terminating voice calls, initiating or terminating data sessions, sending or receiving text messages, etc. When a communication event occurs involving the reporting handset, a communication event report is generated in the reporting handset or the communication network. The communication event report is then transmitted to a controlling handset of the controlling party so that the controlling party may view the report. Because the communication event report is generated and transmitted to the controlling party responsive to the occurrence of the communication event, the report of the communication event is provided to the controlling party in real time. | 07-22-2010 |
20100184403 | ADVICE OF CHARGING (AoC) SERVICES IN IMS NETWORKS - IMS networks, subscriber databases, and methods are disclosed for providing AoC services in IMS networks. The subscriber database is provisioned with AoC indicators for IMS users that subscribe to AoC services. An S-CSCF in an IMS network receives a first register message from an IMS user, and transmits a second register message to the subscriber database. In response to the second register message, the subscriber database identifies an AoC indicator for the IMS user that is registering, inserts the AoC indicator in a third register message, and transmits the third register message to the S-CSCF. The S-CSCF then stores the AoC indicator for the IMS user. If a signaling message is received for a session involving the IMS user, then the S-CSCF will forward the AoC indicator for the IMS user to an AoC application server, which collects the appropriate AoC information and provides the information to the IMS user. | 07-22-2010 |
20100216458 | ADVERTISEMENT BLOCKING IN IMS NETWORKS - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for selectively blocking advertisement content on a per user identifier (ID) basis. A subscriber database in the IMS network, such as a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), stores service profiles for IMS users. The service profiles of the IMS users are also provisioned with advertisement blocking indicators that are associated with a user ID of the IMS users. When a request is received in the subscriber database for a service profile associated with a user ID, the subscriber database checks the advertisement blocking indicator associated with the user ID to see if advertisement content should be blocked for this user ID. If so, the subscriber database modifies initial filter criteria (iFC) associated with the user ID, which in essence blocks the advertisement content from being sent to the IMS user. | 08-26-2010 |
20100287079 | CHARGING IN IMS NETWORKS FOR SESSIONS THAT ARE TRANSFERRED BETWEEN ACCESS NETWORKS - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for charging for a session of a dual mode device that is transferred (seamless handover) from a first access network to a second access network. When a session is transferred between access networks, multiple charging identifiers (e.g., ICID) are assigned to the session. One or more network elements in the IMS network identify both an original ICID and a handover ICID for the session, and insert the original and handover ICID in a charging message that is transmitted to a charging system. The charging system then inserts the original ICID and the handover ICID in a CDR for the session. When the session ends, the charging system may use the original ICID and the handover ICID to correlate multiple CDRs for the session. Thus, even if CDRs for the same session have different ICIDs, the charging system is able to correlate the CDRs. | 11-11-2010 |
20100290607 | BILLING FOR CALLS AND ROUTING OF BILLING INFORMATION IN AN INTERNET PROTOCOL MULTIMEDIA SUBSYSTEM - An exemplary method implemented in a telecommunication network generates a charging data record (CDR) for a subscriber that is supported by a visited network while away from the subscriber's home network. A request is transmitted from a first node in the visited network for profile information about the subscriber to be obtained from the home subscriber server (HSS) in the subscriber's home network. A reply is received at the first node in the visited network in response to the request where the reply includes at least a portion of the profile information about the subscriber stored in the HSS of the subscriber's home network. The first node stores the at least portion of the profile information received in the reply, and generates the CDR associated with the subscriber as supported in the visited network where the CDR includes subscriber data derived from the stored at least portion of the profile information. The CDR is transmitted by the first node to another node in the telephony network to be used to determine billing associated with services provided to the subscriber. | 11-18-2010 |
20100304710 | FAULT-RESILIENT METHOD OF GENERATING COMPLETE CORRELATED IMS CHARGING DATA RECORDS - An IMS charging collection function node for processing incoming accounting requests (ACRs) is provided. The node includes an ACR database that stores ACR messages, an Incomplete database that stores any ACR [Interim] or [Stop] received by the charging collection function node when a corresponding ACR [Start] is not stored in the ACR database, or also ACR[Start] when the remaining accounting requests, consisting of ACR [Interim] or [Stop] are not available with the charging collection function, a disk that stores ACRs; a first transformation engine that aggregates CDRs, a CDR aggregation database that stores aggregated CDRs, a second transformation engine that correlates CDRs, a CDR correlation database that stores correlated CDRs, and a third evaluation engine that cyclically evaluates the Incomplete database, wherein the IMS charging collection function node is communicatively and collaboratively coupled with other IMS charging collection function nodes across the IMS network to eliminate or reduce production of incomplete CDRs. | 12-02-2010 |
20100304717 | DIRECT SMS MESSAGE DELIVERY OVER BROADBAND DATA NETWORKS THROUGH AN SMS-C - SMS-C's and associated methods are disclosed that attempt to deliver SMS messages over a broadband data network as opposed to a voice network. An SMS-C described herein stores session information for a mobile device that has established a data session over the broadband data network. When the SMS-C receives a Mobile Terminated (MT) SMS message destined for the mobile device, the SMS-C stores the SMS message for delivery. The SMS-C then identifies a routing address for the mobile device over the broadband data network based on the stored session information, and forwards the SMS message to the mobile device directly over the broadband data network based on the routing address. | 12-02-2010 |
20100304765 | SMS MESSAGE DELIVERY OVER BROADBAND DATA NETWORKS - Broadband messaging gateways, SMS-C's, and associated methods are disclosed that attempt to deliver SMS messages over a broadband data network as opposed to a voice network. When a mobile device sends a Mobile Originated (MO) SMS message, the mobile device sends the MO SMS message to a broadband data network instead of the voice network. The broadband data network then routes the MO SMS message to the appropriate SMS-C. When an SMS-C receives a Mobile Terminated (MT) SMS message destined for a mobile device, the SMS-C forwards the MT SMS message to the broadband data network instead of the voice network. Thus, SMS messages are offloaded from the voice network to the broadband data network. | 12-02-2010 |
20100317321 | SELECTIVE FIRST DELIVERY ATTEMPT (FDA) PROCESSING FOR TEXT MESSAGES - Systems and methods are disclosed for selectively applying First Delivery Attempt (FDA) processing for text messages. A text message system in one embodiment includes a rules database that stores rules defining which text messages are authorized to be delivered using FDA processing. The text message system further includes a message processor that initially receives a text message, and determines whether to selectively apply FDA processing for a time period due to an occurrence of a triggering event. If selective FDA processing applies, then the message processor processes the rules in the rules database to determine whether the text message is authorized for FDA processing during the time period of selective FDA processing. If authorized, then the message processor forwards the text message to an FDA system for FDA processing. If not authorized, then the message processor forwards the text message to a store-and-forward system for store-and-forward processing. | 12-16-2010 |
20100323666 | SEQUENTIAL MESSAGE DELIVERY FOR FDA PROCESSING AND STORE-AND-FORWARD PROCESSING - Systems and methods are disclosed for delivering text messages using both First Delivery Attempt (FDA) processing and store-and-forward processing. A message system in one embodiment includes a message processor that receives a text message intended for a destination, and determines whether a prior text message is pending in a store-and-forward system for the destination. If a prior text message is not pending, then the message processor forwards the received text message to a FDA system for FDA processing. If a prior text message is pending, then the message processor forwards the received text message to the store-and-forward system for store-and-forward processing. The store-and-forward system will deliver the prior text message to the destination before the received text message so that the text messages are delivered in the proper sequence. | 12-23-2010 |
20100323725 | INDIVIDUALIZED RETRY CONFIGURATIONS FOR MESSAGES HAVING FAILED DELIVERY - Systems and methods are disclosed for handling retry attempts for a message based on an individualized retry configuration. One embodiment comprises a message center for a mobile network. The message center includes a retry database that stores retry configurations each defining rules for retry attempts of a message. The message center further includes a delivery system that receives a message (e.g., text/multimedia), initiates a delivery attempt to the destination, and identifies a failure of the delivery attempt. After the failure, the delivery system initiates a retry process by identifying an individualized retry configuration for the message from the retry database. The individualized retry configuration may define a number of subsequent retry attempts and time intervals between the retry attempts. The delivery system then initiates one or more retry attempts of the message to the destination based on the individualized retry configuration. | 12-23-2010 |
20100331001 | MESSAGE DELIVERY CONTROL BASED ON DESTINATION POINT CODES - Systems and methods are disclosed for limiting text/multimedia message delivery based on destination point codes or other destination identifiers. A switching center in a mobile network monitors the amount of text/multimedia message traffic routed to destinations. If the message traffic routed to a destination exceeds a threshold, then the switching center generates a traffic message indicating traffic congestion for the destination, and transmits the traffic message to a message center. The message center processes the traffic message to identify a destination point code for the destination. The message center then adjusts delivery of text/multimedia messages toward the destination point code of the destination. | 12-30-2010 |
20100331023 | MESSAGE DELIVERY OVER LTE NETWORKS - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for delivering messages over LTE networks. One embodiment comprises a universal message center operable to deliver messages over an LTE network. The universal message center receives a message intended for a destination mobile device, and determines if the destination mobile device is LTE enabled. If the destination mobile device is LTE enabled, then the universal message center identifies a mobile IP address assigned to the destination mobile device in the LTE network. The universal message center then attempts to forward the message to the destination mobile device over the LTE network based on the mobile IP address. If the destination mobile device is not LTE enabled, then the universal message center identifies a store-and-forward (SFD) message center for an originator of the message, and forwards the message to the SFD message center for store-and-forward processing. | 12-30-2010 |
20110003579 | ONLINE CHARGING FOR SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES IN IMS NETWORKS - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing online charging for supplementary services for a session. The IMS network includes an application server operable to provide at least one supplementary service for a session. When the supplementary service is to be provided, the session is routed to the application server. The application server then provides the supplementary service and also provides charging for the service. To provide charging, the application server generates one or more charging request messages for the supplementary service, and transmits the charging request message for the supplementary service to an online charging system (OCS) of the IMS network. The OCS processes the charging request message accordingly to provide charging for the supplementary service in addition to the session. | 01-06-2011 |
20110035336 | RATING CHANGE FOR A PREPAID SESSION BASED ON MOVEMENT OF A MOBILE DEVICE - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for dynamically changing the rating for a prepaid session based on movement of a mobile device. During a session involving a mobile device, the communication network monitors location information for the mobile device to determine if the mobile device moves from the first zone to a second zone (i.e., a home zone to a non-home zone). Responsive to a determination that the mobile device has moved zones, the communication network identifies updated location information for the mobile device. The communication network then processes the updated location information for the mobile device to determine an updated rating the session, and applies the updated rating for prepaid charging for the session. | 02-10-2011 |
20110039581 | Method and apparatus for restricting the use of a mobile telecommunications device by a vehicle's driver - A method and apparatus which determines that a vehicle operator is in physical possession of a given mobile telecommunications device and that the vehicle is moving at a speed greater than a given threshold speed (which may be zero), and thereby restricts the use of the mobile communications device. Illustratively, the device may be restricted from placing and receiving calls, and sending and receiving text messages. It may be determined that the vehicle operator is in physical possession of the device based on near field communication (NFC) technology whereby a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transceiver is attached to or embedded in the steering wheel or driver's seat of the vehicle. The vehicle's speed may be determined using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or an Assisted GPS (A-GPS) technique, or from speed data determined by the vehicle itself and communicated to the mobile communications device thereby. | 02-17-2011 |
20110040663 | CENTRALIZED CHARGING SYSTEMS FOR OFFLINE CHARGING AND ONLINE CHARGING - Centralized charging systems and methods are disclosed for providing offline charging and online charging for a plurality of network elements. The centralized charging system is implemented in a communication network between the network elements and offline/online charging systems. A network element interface of the centralized charging system receives charging request messages from CTFs in the network elements. An accounting data forwarding function processes charging data in the charging request messages to determine if offline or online charging is invoked for the services. For offline charging, the accounting data forwarding function generates offline accounting request messages that include the charging data. For online charging, the accounting data forwarding function generates online accounting request messages that include the charging data. The charging system interface then transmits the offline accounting request messages to the offline charging system, and transmits the online accounting request messages to the online charging system. | 02-17-2011 |
20110040845 | MESSAGE RESTRICTION FOR DIAMETER SERVERS - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for providing a message restriction process used to control the transmission of Diameter messages. The communication network includes a Diameter server operable to serve a plurality of Diameter clients. The Diameter server detects a triggering event for initiating the message restriction process, such as detecting an overload condition. The Diameter server then generates control information that defines the Diameter messages that the Diameter clients are authorized to transmit during the message restriction process. The Diameter server generates a message restriction instruction that includes the control information, and transmits the message restriction instruction to one or more of the Diameter clients to initiate the message restriction process based on the control information. | 02-17-2011 |
20110051701 | IMS DEREGISTRATION OF A DUAL MODE DEVICE TRIGGERED THROUGH A LEGACY NETWORK - Systems and methods are disclosed that deregister a dual mode device with an IMS network by transmitting a message over a legacy network (e.g., a cellular network). The dual mode device detects a loss of wireless communications with an access network of the IMS network, and transmits a deregister request message to the legacy network for delivery to the IMS network. A network element in the IMS network receives the deregister request message, and updates an IMS registration status of the dual mode device based on the deregister request message to indicate the dual mode device as deregistered. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053555 | RULE BASED HIERARCHICAL ACCOUNT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for allocating system resources through a rule based account hierarchy is provided. An Account Manager attempts to apply a system charge to an account. In applying the charge to the account, the Account Manager examines balance selection rules associated with the account. If, after examining the balance selection rules the Account Manager determines that the balance selection rules are satisfied, then the Account Manager attempts to charge the account. If the balance is owned by a parent account, then the charge is routed to that parent account. If the balance is not owned by a parent account, then the balance is charged. If, after examining all the balance selection rules of an account the Account Manager cannot find a balance to charge, then the communication session is disallowed. | 03-03-2011 |
20110057789 | NETWORK-BASED IDENTIFICATION OF UNINSURED VEHICLES - Systems and methods are disclosed that detect uninsured vehicles. An insurance monitoring system described herein receives a message over a mobile network from a mobile device embedded in a vehicle, where the message from the mobile device includes a vehicle identification for the vehicle. The insurance monitoring system queries an insurance database based on the vehicle identification to determine whether the vehicle is uninsured. If the vehicle is uninsured, then the insurance monitoring system sends a notification message to a law enforcement entity. | 03-10-2011 |
20110059732 | SELECTIVE CALL FORWARDING BASED ON THE LOCATION OF A MOBILE DEVICE - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for selectively applying call forwarding between a mobile device and a fixed line device based on the location of the mobile device. A communication network includes a call control function that receives a call attempt to a mobile directory number. Responsive to the call attempt, the call control function identifies a location of the mobile device, and determines whether to apply call forwarding based on the location of the mobile device. If call forwarding is applied, then the call control function forwards the call attempt to the fixed line device instead of the mobile device. A similar process is performed for a call attempt to the fixed line device for forwarding the call to the mobile device. | 03-10-2011 |
20110059754 | MONITORING SPEED OF A VEHICLE USING A MOBILE NETWORK - Systems and methods are disclosed that monitor the speed that a mobile device is traveling, such as when the user of the mobile device is driving or riding in a vehicle. A speed monitoring system described herein receives a request from a third party to monitor a speed of a mobile device. The system periodically queries a mobile network for a location of the mobile device over a time period, and receives responses from the mobile network indicating locations of the mobile device. The system then determines a speed of the mobile device based on the locations indicated during the time period, and may determine the speed limit the roadway the mobile device is traveling on. The system then sends a notification message to the third party that includes an indication of the speed of the mobile device and possibly the speed limit. | 03-10-2011 |
20110066530 | ONLINE CHARGING ARCHITECTURE IN LTE/EPC COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing online charging in LTE/EPC communication networks. In an LTE/EPC communication network, one or more LTE network elements connect to an Online Charging System (OCS) over an enhanced interface. The LTE network element that is serving a session for a mobile device triggers on a charging event, and generates a credit request message (e.g., Diameter CCR). The LTE network element identifies access information for the session indicating the type of access for the mobile device to the LTE/EPC communication network, and inserts the access information in the credit request message. Through the enhanced interface, the LTE network element is able to transmit the credit request message to the OCS with the access information. The access information may then be used in the OCS to determine a more accurate charging rate for the session. | 03-17-2011 |
20110067085 | METHOD FOR DELIVERING DYNAMIC POLICY RULES TO AN END USER, ACCORDING ON HIS/HER ACCOUNT BALANCE AND SERVICE SUBSCRIPTION LEVEL, IN A TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK - The method comprises the steps of:
| 03-17-2011 |
20110077005 | Registration Notification For SMS over LTE - An LTE subscriber database pushes a registration notification to a SMSC or IP-SM-GW when subscriber registers/deregisters to LTE. The subscriber registration information is stored in local database. Thus, MT SMS may be delivered to a registered subscriber without querying the subscriber database each time for registration information. An exemplary apparatus includes an interface for receiving a registration status message for a mobile device over a broadband network, a subscriber database, and a control system for storing subscriber information in response to receipt of the registration status message and forwarding a notification of subscriber registration status including subscriber registration information to a first network device when the mobile device registers or deregisters to the broadband data network. | 03-31-2011 |
20110077058 | OFFLINE CHARGING IN IMS NETWORKS FOR SESSIONS HANDED OVER BETWEEN DIFFERENT OPERATOR NETWORKS - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing offline charging for a session of an IMS device that is seamlessly handed over between a home IMS network and a visited IMS network that are different operator networks. A roaming charging identifier (RCID) is assigned to the session in the home IMS network that is global to a dialog of the session over the home IMS network and to a dialog of the session over the visited IMS network. Network elements in the home IMS network insert the RCID in offline charging requests that are sent to an offline charging system. The offline charging system generates CDRs for the session that also include the RCID. The offline charging system can then aggregate and correlate the CDRs for the session based on the RCID. | 03-31-2011 |
20110078061 | CHARGING FOR OPERATOR-ASSISTED SESSIONS IN IMS NETWORKS - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for charging for operator-assisted sessions. To perform the charging, an operator assistance application server (AS) acts as an interface between an operator system (legacy or IMS) and charging systems for the IMS network. When an operator-assisted session is initiated in the IMS network, the operator assistance AS receives a session initiation message in SIP, and transmits the session initiation message to the operator system to allow the operator system to collect charging information from an end user. The operator assistance AS then receives a service request message from the operator system that includes the collected charging information, and detects a charging event. The operator assistance AS generates a Diameter charging request message, maps the charging information from the service request message to the Diameter charging request message, and transmits the Diameter charging request message to a charging system to charge for the operator-assisted session. | 03-31-2011 |
20110078767 | USAGE CONTROL SERVICES PERFORMED IN AN END USER DEVICE - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing usage control of communication services within an end user device. A system in the network receives input from a controlling party defining usage restrictions for the end user device. The system then generates a usage control profile, and transmits the usage control profile to the end user device. The end user device then monitors activities in the device to identify a communication attempt (e.g., an incoming voice call). When a communication attempt is identified, the end user device processes the usage control profile to determine whether the communication attempt is authorized, and allows the communication attempt to continue if the attempt is authorized. If the attempt is not authorized, then the end user device blocks the communication attempt. | 03-31-2011 |
20110159840 | CHARGING FOR ROAMING USERS IN IMS NETWORKS - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for sharing charging information between a home IMS network and a visited IMS network. If a signaling message for a session is received in the visited IMS network, the visited IMS network assigns a visited charging identifier (e.g., ICID), and shares the visited charging identifier with the home IMS network through signaling messages. Similarly, the home IMS network assigns a home charging identifier, and shares the home charging identifier with the visited IMS network through signaling messages. When CDRs are generated in the home IMS network and the visited IMS network, the networks include the home charging identifier and the visited charging identifier in the CDRs so that billing systems may more easily correlate the CDRs from the different IMS networks. | 06-30-2011 |
20110161248 | ONLINE CHARGING CORRELATION IN IMS NETWORKS - Online charging systems (OCS) and methods are disclosed for correlating online charging requests for a session over an IMS network. The OCS stores online charging requests that are received from a network element serving the session in the IMS network. When a new online charging request is received from another network element, the OCS determines whether the new online charging request relates to the same session as any previously-stored online charging requests. If so, the OCS correlates the online charging requests for the session, and determines a new charging rate for the session based on correlated online charging requests and correlation charging rate rules that are stored in the OCS. The OCS then uses the new charging rate to grant new credit quotas for the session. | 06-30-2011 |
20110164537 | CALL RESPONSE SERVICES IN IMS NETWORKS FOR BUSINESSES - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing a call response service for businesses. Businesses that subscribe to the call response service may implement a call response system that is operable to provide multimedia responses. When the IMS network receives call signaling for a call to the business, the IMS network determines whether the calling party device supports multimedia responses. The IMS network then instructs or informs the call response system to provide the proper type of response (multimedia or voice) to the calling party device based on the determination of whether or not the calling party device supports multimedia responses. | 07-07-2011 |
20110165860 | MANAGING SMS SPOOFING USING SMPP PROTOCOL - Systems and methods are disclosed for managing Short Messaging Service (SMS) spoofing using Short Messaging Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) protocol. An SMPP protocol communication includes an SMPP transmitter and an SMPP transceiver. The SMPP transmitter identifies or receives an SMS message for transmission to a destination. The SMPP transmitter identifies a source address for the SMS message, and determines whether the source address is authentic. If the source address is not authentic, then the SMPP transmitter inserts a validity indicator in an SMPP Packet Data Unit (PDU), along with the SMS message, that the source address is not authentic before transmitting the SMPP PDU to the SMPP transceiver. Upon receiving the SMPP PDU from the SMPP transmitter, the SMPP transceiver may determine whether or not to deliver the SMS message to the destination based on the validity indicator provided by the SMPP transmitter. | 07-07-2011 |
20110167118 | MESSAGE WAITING NOTIFICATION TO EXTERNAL MESSAGE CENTERS - Systems and methods are disclosed for notifying external message centers when a mobile device becomes available to receive a text message. One embodiment includes a message waiting system that identifies a failed delivery attempt of a text message to a mobile device that is unavailable, where the text message originated from an external message center. The system identifies routing information for the external message center based on the failed delivery attempt, generates a Message Waiting Indicator (MWI) record for the text message that includes the routing information for the external message center, and stores the MWI record. When the system identifies that the mobile device becomes available, the system identifies the MWI record that includes information on the failed delivery attempt to the mobile device, and sends a notification indicating that the mobile device is available to the external message center based on the routing information in the MWI record. | 07-07-2011 |
20110170455 | ONLINE CHARGING FOR SESSIONS THAT ARE TRANSFERRED BETWEEN NETWORK DOMAINS - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for providing online charging for a session of a dual mode device that is transferred (seamless handover) from a first network domain to a second network domain. For the session involving the dual mode device, a handover application server or another network element generates a handover charging identifier that may be used in the first network domain and the second network domain. The handover application server then distributes the handover charging identifier to network elements in the second network domain and the first network domain. The network elements in the first network domain and the second network domain insert the handover charging identifier and other context information in online charging requests that are transmitted to an online charging system. The online charging system is then able to correlate online charging requests from both the first network domain and the second network domain. | 07-14-2011 |
20110171958 | MOBILE DEVICE USAGE MANAGEMENT VIA HOME SUBSCRIBER SERVER OPERATION AND PROFILE - The present invention provides a method involving a mobile unit that is registered with a home subscription server. The method includes determining, at the home subscription server, a time interval during which the mobile unit is prohibited from registering for call sessions. The method also includes transmitting, from the home subscription server to a call session control function, a deregistration message instructing the call session control function to deregister the mobile unit during the time interval. | 07-14-2011 |
20110173268 | TELECOMMUNICATION MESSAGING THROUGH A SOCIAL NETWORKING SERVICE - Systems and methods are disclosed for displaying telecommunication messages through a social networking service. One embodiment includes a telecommunication messaging system that is implemented with a social networking service. The telecom messaging system receives telecommunication messages from a telecommunication network that are associated with a directory number assigned to a phone. The phone is operated by a member of a web-based social networking service. The telecom messaging system provides a telecommunication messaging page to display the telecommunication messages to the member as part of a website for the social networking service. Thus, the member is able to view telecom messages, such as voicemail messages, text messages, call logs, etc., through the social networking service. | 07-14-2011 |
20110230212 | TEXT MESSAGE DELIVERY TO A MOBILE DEVICE IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Systems and methods are disclosed that deliver a text message to a mobile device in a wireless communication network, where a prior delivery attempt to the mobile device in the wireless communication network has failed. The system in one embodiment includes a subscriber server in an IMS network that receives a first request from a message center to be notified if the mobile device becomes available in the wireless communication network. The subscriber server transmits a second request to a subscriber database in the wireless communication network to be notified if the mobile device becomes available. If the mobile device does become available, the subscriber server receives a first notification from the subscriber database that the mobile device has become available. The subscriber server then transmits a second notification to the message center that the mobile device has become available. | 09-22-2011 |
20110270722 | CHARGING METHOD SELECTION FOR SERVICE DATA FLOWS BASED ON THE DATA SERVICES BEING REQUESTED - Systems and methods are disclosed for performing Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for packet core networks. One embodiment comprises a PCC architecture that includes an online charging system (OCS). The OCS receives a request for charging rules for an initial data service from a PCRF. The request from the PCRF includes a service indicator for the initial data service. The OCS selects a charging method for the initial data service based on the service indicator, and transmits a response to the PCRF that includes the selected charging method. The PCRF may then make a PCC decision based on the charging method selected by the OCS, and a PCEF may enforce PCC rules for the initial data service. If there is a service changing during a data session, the OCS selects a charging method for the new data service, and the PCRF updates the PCC rules accordingly. | 11-03-2011 |
20110275345 | OFFLINE CHARGING FOR SESSIONS OVER A 3GPP NETWORK AND A WLAN ACCESS NETWORK - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for providing offline charging in a 3GPP network for sessions over a wireless local area network (WLAN) access network. A AAA server in the 3GPP network provides offline charging messages for a session to an offline charging system. If a data flow is established during the session, such as streaming video, then a packet data network gateway provides offline charging messages for the data flow to the offline charging system. The AAA server and the packet data network gateway share charging identifiers so that one or both are able to include the charging identifier for the session and the charging identifier for the data flow in an offline charging message. This allows the offline charging system to effectively correlate CDRs for the session with CDRs for the data flow occurring during the session. | 11-10-2011 |
20110319075 | UNIVERSAL MOBILE MANAGER INTERWORKING FOR SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE FEATURE PARITY - The present invention provides a method that is implemented at a mobility management entity. One embodiment of the method includes converting a short message service (SMS) message from a first format to one or more second formats when one or more user profiles stored in a database indicate that one or more destinations of the SMS message use the second format(s). | 12-29-2011 |
20110319089 | UNIVERSAL MOBILE MANAGER INTERWORKING TO SUPPORT GLOBAL ROAMING - The present invention provides a method of interworking to support global roaming across circuit-switched and packet-switched domains. Embodiments of the methods include selecting a first routing number that identifies the mobility manager as a gateway to the originating domain. The selection is performed at a mobility manager in response to receiving a request from a first gateway in an originating domain to locate a user. Embodiments of the method further include identifying a second gateway that serves the user in a destination domain using a first user identifier included in the request received from the first gateway. Embodiments of the mobility manager can store information associating the first routing number with a second routing number that identifies the second gateway. | 12-29-2011 |
20110320960 | FLEXIBLE AUTOMATIC REPLY FEATURES FOR TEXT MESSAGING - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing automatic reply features that send a personalized reply message to a sender of a text message. In one embodiment, a system includes a network interface that receives information on a text message sent to a recipient that has activated an automatic reply feature. The system further includes a control system that processes the text message information to identify a sender of the text message, selects a reply message predefined by the recipient based on the sender of the text message, and sends the selected reply message to the sender of the text message through the network interface. | 12-29-2011 |
20120009955 | TEXT MESSAGING OVER AN eHRPD NETWORK - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing text messaging over an eHRPD network. A text message gateway implemented in the eHRPD network receives a Mobile Originated (MO) text message from a mobile device that is registered with the eHRPD network, and identifies a network where the destination of the text message is registered. If the destination is registered in the eHRPD network, then the text message gateway identifies an HRPD Serving Gateway (HSGW) in the eHRPD network that is serving the destination. The text message gateway then forwards the MO text message to the HSGW for delivery of the MO text message directly to the destination. | 01-12-2012 |
20120011536 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO A SUBSCRIPTION BROADCAST CHANNEL ON DEMAND VIA A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - A request to provide access to a specified subscription broadcast channel during a specified period is received from a subscriber device. A first instruction to allow the subscriber device to access the specified subscription broadcast channel is transmitted to a second device, prior to the specified period. A second instruction to restrict access by the subscriber device to the specified subscription broadcast channel is transmitted to the second device, substantially at the end of the specified period. | 01-12-2012 |
20120064858 | NOTIFICATION OF CHARGING RATE ADJUSTMENTS IN REGIONS OF A MOBILE NETWORK TO CONTROL BANDWIDTH USAGE IN THE REGIONS - Systems and methods are disclosed that notify end users of mobile devices of charging rate adjustments within a mobile network. A rate notification system receives bandwidth usage data for the mobile network, and identifies a region within the mobile network having a bandwidth usage that exceeds a threshold. The bandwidth usage is processed per media type (i.e., voice calls, text messages, etc) based on the bandwidth usage data. The rate notification system then identifies a mobile device located within the region, and identifies one or more contacts of the end user of the mobile device. The rate notification system then identifies an adjusted charging rate per contact per media type for this end user, and provides the adjusted charging rates to the end user of the mobile device. | 03-15-2012 |
20120066070 | MANAGEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENTS INSERTED IN TEXT/MULTIMEDIA MESSAGES - Message filtering systems and associated methods are disclosed for filtering advertisements that are inserted in a text/multimedia message by an originating network. The message filtering system includes a criteria database that stores filter criteria defined for a user of a mobile device. The filter criteria are defined to filter advertisements on a per message basis based on the content of the advertisement and/or the source of the advertisement. The message filtering system further includes a message processor that receives a Mobile Terminated (MT) text/multimedia message from an originating network that is destined for the mobile device. The message processor identifies an advertisement inserted in the text/multimedia message by the originating network, and identifies the filter criteria defined for the user of the mobile device as stored in the criteria database. The message processor then filters the identified advertisement in the text/multimedia message based on the filter criteria. | 03-15-2012 |
20120076128 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANONYMOUS WEB CALLING CHARGING ADVICE - Methods and systems are presented for anonymous web call processing, in which an application web server prompts a calling party to initiate a web call, queries a charging server for a tariff rate associated with the anonymous web call to the specified called party, renders the tariff rate to the calling party, and prompts the calling party to confirm initiation of the anonymous web call to the specified called party. | 03-29-2012 |
20120082165 | CENTRALIZED TELECOM SERVER FOR DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY NETWORKS - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing service management across different technology networks. A centralized telecom serving system (TSS) includes a plurality of interface gateways, a central adapter, and a common interface. When in operation, a first interface gateway receives a first service request from a first network, and converts the first service request from a signaling interface used in the first network to the common interface. The central adapter receives the first service request over the common interface, and processes service management logic to identify multiple services that trigger on the first service request and determine a sequence for providing the multiple services. For each service, the central adapter generates a second service request in the common interface, and transmits the second service request to a second interface gateway that is coupled to a second network. | 04-05-2012 |
20120088469 | FRONT-END CHARGING SYSTEM THAT GENERATES CHARGING DATA PER ENTITY HAVING A REVENUE SHARE - Charging systems and methods are disclosed for determining the share of call revenue for multiple entities. One embodiment comprises a charging controller that is coupled to a mobile network and an online charging system. The charging controller receives charging data for a call in the mobile network, and processes the charging data and charging rules to identify entities that have a share in revenue for the call. The charging controller generates a charging request message indicating the entities having a revenue share in the call, and transmits the charging request message to the online charging system to cause the online charging system to determine the revenue share for each of the entities. | 04-12-2012 |
20120099524 | DELIVERY REPORT FOR TEXT MESSAGES IN SIP COMMUNICATIONS - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a delivery status of a text message in a SIP response. In one embodiment, a text message system receives a SIP request from an entity in a packet-switched network, where the SIP request encapsulates a text message. The text message system determines a status for delivering the text message to a recipient, and generates a SIP response that includes a delivery status parameter for text messages. The text message system inserts the determined delivery status for the text message in the delivery status parameter of the SIP response, and transmits the SIP response to the entity over the packet-switched network. | 04-26-2012 |
20120106722 | METHOD, A TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND A NETWORK NODE FOR SPONSORING A COMMUNICATION SERVICE - The invention concerns a method for sponsoring a communication service, wherein said communication service is made available directly, in particular to a user of said communication service, and wherein a rule, in particular applicable for charging a sponsor of said communication service, is determined dynamically. | 05-03-2012 |
20120116938 | CHARGING FOR LONG DURATION SESSIONS IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - 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. | 05-10-2012 |
20120150967 | SPAM REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Systems and methods are disclosed for reporting spam detected in a communication network. Entities in the network detect that an electronic message comprises spam, and generate a spam report for the electronic message. The spam report is in a format that is enhanced with newly-defined fields. A spam center in the network receives the spam reports from the entities, and processes the spam reports to generate spam rules for detecting spam in electronic messages transported over the communication network. The spam center then selectively distributes the spam rules to one or more of the entities of the communication network based on an analysis of the spam reports. The entities may then use the spam rules to detect spam in other electronic messages that are transported over the communication network. | 06-14-2012 |
20120157041 | ONLINE CHARGING FOR ROAMING USERS IN A PROXY ONLINE CHARGING SYSTEM OF A VISITED NETWORK - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing online charging credit control in a visited network when a user is roaming. The visited network which is providing service to a roaming user includes a proxy online charging system (OCS) that communicates with a home OCS in a home network of the user. The proxy OCS transmits an online charging request message to a home OCS in a home network for the roaming user requesting charging information for the roaming user. The proxy OCS receives an online charging response message from the home OCS that includes the charging information for the roaming user. The proxy OCS then processes the charging information to perform credit control for one or more network elements in the visited network that is serving the session. | 06-21-2012 |
20120176964 | APPLICATION-ORIGINATED TEXT MESSAGES DELIVERED OVER A PACKET-SWITCHED NETWORK - Systems and methods are disclosed for correlating messages used to deliver an Application Originated (AO) text message to User Equipment (UE). A text message gateway is implemented between a text message application and a packet-switched network that uses Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The text message gateway receives a delivery request from the text message application that includes an Application Originated (AO) text message intended for the UE. The text message gateway identifies a correlation identifier (ID) for the AO text message, inserts the correlation ID in a delivery response, and transmits the delivery response to the text message application (to store for later use). The text message gateway also converts the delivery request into a SIP request that encapsulates the AO text message, inserts the correlation ID in the SIP request, and transmits the SIP request to the UE. | 07-12-2012 |
20120184244 | ONLINE CHARGING IN IMS NETWORKS FOR SESSIONS HANDED OVER BETWEEN DIFFERENT OPERATOR NETWORKS - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing online charging for a session of an IMS device that is seamlessly handed over between a first IMS network and a second IMS network that are different operator networks. A roaming charging identifier (RCID) is assigned to the session that is global to a dialog of the session over the first IMS network and to a dialog of the session over the second IMS network. A network element is able to correlate online charging information for the different dialogs of the session based on the RCID, and send an online charging request for a quota of service units to an online charging system that includes the correlated online charging system. The online charging system can thus rate the session and grant the quota based on the correlated online charging information. | 07-19-2012 |
20120192287 | TEXT MESSAGE SECURITY - Systems and methods are provided for protecting text messages. A sending device inserts security information in a text message, and sends the text message to a receiving device. The receiving device detects an attempt by an end user to access the text message. When this occurs, the receiving device parses the text message to identify the security information inserted in the text message, and controls access to the text message by the end user based on the security information. | 07-26-2012 |
20120195234 | METHOD FOR POLICY-BASED CONTROL OF ENTERPRISE MESSAGING - The present invention provides a method for routing calls within an organization. One embodiment of the method includes detecting, at a server, a message transmitted by a calling party to one or more called parties. The calling party and the called parties are members of the organization. The method also includes determining, at the server, one or more relationships between the calling party and the called parties using information stored in a database associated with the organization. The method further includes routing the message using one or more policies associated with the determined relationship. | 08-02-2012 |
20120202455 | PER-SESSION DYNAMIC CHARGING CAPS IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - Communication networks and associated methods and systems are disclosed that provide per-session dynamic charging caps. For a session, the communication network includes a network element adapted to serve the session, a charging system, and a subscriber server adapted to store charging criteria defined for a party to the session. In operation, the charging system receives one or more charging request messages from the network element. Responsive to a charging request message, the charging system identifies the charging criteria defined for the party as stored in the subscriber server, and determines a dynamic charging cap for the session based on the charging criteria. A charging cap is a limited or maximum amount of time and/or money that is charged for an individual session. The charging system then limits the charging for the session based on the dynamic charging cap. | 08-09-2012 |
20120215862 | SPAM REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Systems and methods for spam detection within electronic messages transported over a communication network. One embodiment is a spam center that connects to multiple entities of a communication network that handle electronic messages, such as text messages. The spam center receives spam reports from the entities that detect spam in prior electronic messages, analyzes the spam reports to generate spam filtering rules based on the spam detected in the prior electronic messages. The spam center then distributes the spam filtering rules to one or more of the entities. The entities may then use to spam filtering rules to filter spam out of electronic messages that subsequently received. | 08-23-2012 |
20120237013 | METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING DATA RELATED TO A CALLING CARD FUNCTION IN A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, AS WELL AS A SERVER, A COMPUTER PROGRAM AND A COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - The invention concerns a system for transferring data related to a calling card function between a server ( | 09-20-2012 |
20120252417 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROVIDING USER EQUIPMENT WITH VOICE MESSAGES - A third UE calls the second UE, however, the second UE is on a call with a first UE, then the call controlling device provides a voice message from said third user equipment as a background voice message to the second user equipment while keeping the call between the first user equipment and the second user equipment. The “background” in the background voice message is relative to the original call, and does not have any other special meanings. Since the original call between the first UE and the second UE is not affected, for the second UE, or a second user that uses the second UE, the voice message from the third UE is a background voice message. | 10-04-2012 |
20120254825 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING COMPONENTS OF APPLICATION ENABLEMENT SUITE - A method of managing components of an AES includes: a) providing an application developer with access to a workflow designer engine via a developer portal, wherein the workflow designer engine and developer portal are in operative communication with an AES; b) activating a network application manager of the workflow designer engine in response to the application developer selecting a manage network application function via the user device in conjunction with a graphical user interface (GUI) controlled by the developer portal; and c) creating a new network application using archetypes of the workflow designer engine and repositories of the developer portal in response to the application developer defining at least some parameters for the new network application in conjunction with the GUI. An associated apparatus includes a workflow designer engine server with a workflow designer engine module; and a developer portal server with a developer portal module. | 10-04-2012 |
20120254899 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING APPLICATION WITH INTERFACE TO COMPOSITE NETWORK SERVICE - A method of providing an application with an interface to a composite network service includes: a) receiving a request for a composite network service at an exposure engine associated with an SCF, the composite network service associated with multiple network services, multiple service providers, multiple service networks, or multiple communication sessions; and b) selecting an API container based on the requested composite network service, the API container formed by a composition engine associated with the SCF and including composite service logic and composite enabler logic or composite normalization logic. The composite service logic including program calls. The composite enabler logic providing external protocol interfaces that do not require normalization. The composite normalization logic providing external protocol interfaces that require normalization. An apparatus for providing an application with an interface to a composite network service includes the exposure engine and API engine. | 10-04-2012 |
20120307734 | STORING ACCESS NETWORK INFORMATION FOR AN IMS USER IN A SUBSCRIBER PROFILE - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for storing information on the access network of a user in a subscriber profile for the user. When a communication device of a user attempts to register with an IMS network, a P-CSCF receives a register request message from the communication device, and identifies access network information for the user. The P-CSCF then transmits another register request message to an S-CSCF that includes the access network information, and the S-CSCF in turn forwards the access network information to an HSS. The HSS then stores the access network information in the subscriber profile for the user. Nodes in the IMS network that retrieve the subscriber profile may acquire the access network information to provide services based on the access network information. | 12-06-2012 |
20120322468 | INTERFACE BETWEEN RESTFUL WEB SERVICES AND PACKET-SWITCHED NETWORKS FOR TEXT MESSAGING - Systems and methods are disclosed for interfacing RESTful web applications with packet-switched networks for text messaging. One embodiment comprises a system that handles a Mobile Terminated (MT) text message from a web application to a packet-switched network. The system receives a RESTful send operation for sending the MT text message from the web application. The system converts the RESTful send operation for the MT text message to a send request that is based on a signaling protocol used by the packet switched network, such as SIP, SMPP, or MAP. The system then transmits the send request for the MT text message to the packet-switched network for delivery of the MT text message to a recipient. | 12-20-2012 |
20120322469 | INTERFACE BETWEEN WEB APPLICATIONS FOR TEXT MESSAGING AND PACKET-SWITCHED NETWORKS - Systems and methods are disclosed for interfacing SMS/MMS web applications with packet-switched networks. One embodiment comprises a system that handles a Mobile Terminated (MT) text message from a web application to a packet-switched network. The system receives a send command for the MT text message from the web application. The send command is based on a standard used by the web application, such as Parlay X. The system converts the send command for the MT text message to a SIP send request, and transmits the SIP send request for the MT text message to a packet-switched network for delivery to a recipient. | 12-20-2012 |
20120327947 | SERVICE DATA FLOW DIRECTION/REDIRECTION - Systems and methods are disclosed for directing/redirecting service data flows to Packet Data Networks (PDN). A subscriber database (e.g., HSS) stores direction/redirection criteria along with mapping data that includes information for directing/redirecting service data flows to PDNs. An element of a network may then query the subscriber database to direct or redirect service data flows to PDNs. The subscriber database receives a query from a network element, and identifies the direction/redirection criteria and mapping data for the data service. The subscriber database then transmits the direction/redirection criteria and mapping data to the network element in response to the query to allow the network element to direct/redirect a service data flow to a PDN for the data service. | 12-27-2012 |
20130005371 | VOICE NOTIFICATION TO THE DESTINATION OF A TEXT MESSAGE THAT IS ENGAGED IN A VOICE CALL - Systems and methods are disclosed that provide a voice notification to an end user while the end user is on an active voice call, where the voice notification includes information on a text message that was received. A system in one embodiment includes a message delivery system that receives a text message intended for a destination, and initiates delivery of the text message to the destination. The system also includes a message notification system that detects that the destination is engaged in an active voice call during the delivery of the text message, identifies information for the text message, converts the text message information into voice data to generate a voice notification, and initiates transmission of the voice notification to the destination to be played during the active voice call. | 01-03-2013 |
20130010651 | THIRD PARTY CHARGING FOR SIP SESSIONS - Communication networks and associated methods are disclosed that provide third party charging for SIP sessions. A communication network of the invention comprises a session control function (e.g., an IMS CSCF), a network node (e.g., an IMS application server), and a charging system. The session control function serves a SIP session initiated between a first and second party. The network node identifies a third party to charge for the session. The network node includes a third party identifier for the third party in a SIP message for the session, and transmits the SIP message to the session control function. The session control function generates a charging message, maps the third party identifier to the charging message, and transmits the charging message that includes the third party identifier to the charging system. The charging system then initiates charging of the session to the third party based on the third party identifier. | 01-10-2013 |
20130016624 | QoS THROTTLING FOR MOBILE DEVICESAANM Li; XiangyangAACI PuDong Jinqiao ShanghaiAACO CNAAGP Li; Xiangyang PuDong Jinqiao Shanghai CNAANM Cai; YigangAACI NapervilleAAST ILAACO USAAGP Cai; Yigang Naperville IL US - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing Quality of Service (QoS) throttling for mobile devices. One embodiment comprises a network element that serves a mobile device for data services. The network element includes a control system that monitors usage of the mobile device that is accessing the data services. The network element further includes a policy system that identifies that the usage of the mobile device reaches a usage threshold, and determines a reduced QoS responsive to reaching the usage threshold. The control system then downgrades the QoS provided to the mobile device for data services based on the reduced QoS. The policy system may further send a notification to the mobile device that the QoS is reduced. | 01-17-2013 |
20130017803 | LOCAL ROAMING CHARGING IN LTE/EPC NETWORKSAANM Li; XiangyangAACI PuDong Jinqiao ShanghaiAACO CNAAGP Li; Xiangyang PuDong Jinqiao Shanghai CNAANM Cai; YigangAACI NapervilleAAST ILAACO USAAGP Cai; Yigang Naperville IL US - Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing local roaming charging in LTE/EPC networks. A visited On-line Charging System (OCS) in the LTE/EPC network receives a credit request from a network element in a visited network that has been requested to provide a service to a roaming mobile device. In response to the credit request, the visited OCS determines a local rating for the service based on a local tariff defined by the operator of the visited network. The visited OCS grants a quota of service units to the network element based on the local rating, and transmits a credit response to the network element indicating the granted quota. | 01-17-2013 |
20130018990 | NEGOTIATIONS FOR ALTERNATE DOWNLOAD OPTIONS BETWEEN AN END USER AND A SERVERAANM Cai; YigangAACI NapervilleAAST ILAACO USAAGP Cai; Yigang Naperville IL USAANM Hua; SuzannAACI LisleAAST ILAACO USAAGP Hua; Suzann Lisle IL US - Systems and methods are disclosed for negotiating alternate download options for downloading a file from a server to an end user device. A device in one embodiment transmits a first request to a server over a network to download a file from the server. The download is not available due to resource limitations in the network or the server itself. Thus, the device receives a response from the server indicating that the download is not available. The device processes the response to identify alternate download options offered by the server for downloading the file. The device detects a selection by the end user of one of the alternate download options, and generates a second request that includes an indication of the selected option. The device then transmits the second request to the server. | 01-17-2013 |
20130023253 | INTERFACE BETWEEN 3GPP NETWORKS AND 3GPP2 NETWORKS FOR WAP TEXT MESSAGING - Systems and methods are disclosed for interworking WAP text messages between 3GPP and 3GPP2 networks. One embodiment comprises a system that receives a WAP text message from a sending entity that supports 3GPP standards, where the WAP text message is in a 3GPP format. The system determines that a receiving entity for the WAP text message supports 3GPP2 standards, and converts the WAP text message from the 3GPP format to a 3GPP2 format. The system then transmits the WAP text message in the 3GPP2 format to the receiving entity. | 01-24-2013 |
20130024332 | DIFFERENTIAL ONLINE CHARGING FOR TEXT MESSAGES BASED ON NETWORK TYPE - Systems and methods are disclosed for performing online charging for text messages. One embodiment comprises a system that handles a Mobile Originated (MO) text message. The system receives a send request for the MO text message, and generates an online credit request for the MO text message. The system determines a type of originating network for the MO text message, and inserts an indicator of the originating network type in the online credit request. The system may also determine a type of terminating network for the MO text message, and insert an indicator of the terminating network type in the online credit request. The system then transmits the online credit request to an online charging system to charge for the MO text message. | 01-24-2013 |
20130036032 | SERVICE PLAN NEGOTIATIONS WITH END USERS FOR POLICY AND CHARGING CONTROL (PCC) - Systems and methods are disclosed for negotiating service plans with an end user for Policy and Charging Control (PCC) in a packet core network, such as an LTE network. A system in one embodiment communicates with an end user that has a predefined service plan. The predefined service plan is used for a PCC decision when the end user requests a service. The system receives a request from the end user offering a proposed service plan that differs from the predefined service plan, and processes the proposed service plan to determine whether to accept the offer from the end user. If the determination is to accept the offer, then the system implements the proposed service plan for the end user in a PCC decision for a service requested by the end user instead of the predetermined service plan. | 02-07-2013 |
20130074046 | APPLICATION PROTOYPING SUITE - Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: an application storage that stores code defining an application, wherein the code is received by the prototyping suite from the developer device; a testing controller configured to effect performance of at least one test in association with the application to produce at least one test result; a certification controller configured to analyze the at least one test result to determine whether the application meets a certification requirement of a first plurality of certification requirements; and an application marketplace server configured to provide the application to at least one other device when the certification controller has determined that the application meets each certification requirement of the first plurality of certification requirements. | 03-21-2013 |
20130080540 | ARCHIVE CONTROL FOR TEXT MESSAGES - Systems and methods for controlling how text messages are archived. A system identifies a text message for delivery over a mobile network, and identifies protection information for controlling archiving of the text message. The system inserts the protection information in the text message, and transmits the text message with the protection information towards a destination. The same or another system, such as a message center, receives the text message, and identifies the protection information inserted in the text message. The receiving system further identifies an end user associated with the text message, and identifies privacy policies provisioned for the end user. The receiving system then processes the privacy policies and the protection information to determine if the text message is authorized to be archived, such as in an archive server. | 03-28-2013 |
20130109348 | Method for Selectively Exposing Subscriber Data | 05-02-2013 |
20130111545 | Privacy Management for Subscriber Data | 05-02-2013 |
20130117092 | LOYALTY AWARDS FOR DATA USAGE THROUGH TEMPORARY QoS UPGRADES - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing temporary QoS upgrades as loyalty awards. In one embodiment, an Online Charging System (OCS) stores account information for end users that access data services provided by a packet core network. The OCS receives a request involving a data service of an end user from the packet core network. In response to the request, the OCS determines that the end user qualifies for a loyalty award based on the account information for the end user. The OCS then grants a temporary QoS upgrade for the end user as the loyalty award, and transmits an indication of the temporary QoS upgrade to the packet core network. Based on the indication of the temporary QoS upgrade, the packet core network is able to enforce the temporary QoS upgrade as the end user accesses one or more data services. | 05-09-2013 |
20130143520 | ENHANCING CONNECTIVITY AT SOCIAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS - A system for enhancing connectivity at a social network. The system is able to identify a user of a telecommunication network, to access charging records for the user pertaining to sessions over the telecommunication network, and to analyze the charging records for the user to determine a pattern of communication relating the user to another individual. The system is further able to determine that the user is a member of a social network, and to provide information regarding the determined pattern of communication to the social network. | 06-06-2013 |
20130188554 | OFFLINE CHARGING PER SERVICE DATA FLOW - Systems and methods for selecting offline charging functions per service data flow during a data session over a packet data network. One embodiment comprises a Policy and Charging | 07-25-2013 |
20130190023 | DIRECT SMS MESSAGE DELIVERY OVER BROADBAND DATA NETWORKS THROUGH AN SMS-C - SMS-C's and associated methods are disclosed that attempt to deliver SMS messages over a broadband data network as opposed to a voice network. An SMS-C described herein stores session information for a mobile device that has established a data session over the broadband data network. When the SMS-C receives a Mobile Terminated (MT) SMS message destined for the mobile device, the SMS-C stores the SMS message for delivery. The SMS-C then identifies a routing address for the mobile device over the broadband data network based on the stored session information, and forwards the SMS message to the mobile device directly over the broadband data network based on the routing address. | 07-25-2013 |
20130227138 | MACHINE TYPE COMMUNICATIONS (MTC) IN NETWORKS USING NON ACCESS STRATUM (NAS) SIGNALING - Systems and methods that send Machine Type Communications (MTC) using Non Access Stratus (NAS) signaling. In one embodiment, a network element receives NAS signaling that includes MTC data from a device. The network element identifies an MTC profile associated with the device that includes parameters defining what MTC data transmissions are allowed for the device through NAS signaling. The network element then determines whether transmission of the MTC data is allowed by the device based on the MTC profile. If the transmission of the MTC data is allowed, then the network element sends the MTC data to another MTC entity, such as another MTC device or an MTC server. If not, then the network element rejects the transmission of the MTC data. | 08-29-2013 |
20130238733 | INTERFACE BETWEEN WEB APPLICATIONS FOR TEXT MESSAGING AND PACKET-SWITCHED NETWORKS - Systems and methods are disclosed for interfacing SMS/MMS web applications with packet-switched networks. One embodiment comprises a system that handles a Mobile Terminated (MT) text message from a web application to a packet-switched network. The system receives a send command for the MT text message from the web application. The send command is based on a standard used by the web application, such as Parlay X. The system converts the send command for the MT text message to a SIP send request, and transmits the SIP send request for the MT text message to a packet-switched network for delivery to a recipient. | 09-12-2013 |
20130258849 | CLOSED-LOOP QOS CONTROL USING CHARGING GROUPS - A method and apparatus for providing Quality of Service (QoS) gating and control as a function of quota consumption by a group of users is disclosed. A feedback mechanism for QoS gating and control with an Offline Charging System (OFCS) is also provided. In a packet telecommunication network, the Policy Charging and Control architecture is modified to include an Aggregation Interface Function that dynamically collects usage quantum for users in real time. The Aggregation Interface Function proactively seeks user group information and aggregates usage quantum over an entire group to prevent surprise overage charges at billing. | 10-03-2013 |
20130260715 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING SERVICE CONNECTION IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK AND DEVICE THEREOF - The present invention provides a method for processing a service connection in a communication network, comprising: A) determining, in response to a establishment request for the service connection from a UE, whether the service corresponding to the establishment request is a sponsored service, wherein the sponsored service is provided by a third party application provider; B) sending a validating request for the sponsored service to the third party application provider, if the service corresponding to the establishment request is a sponsored service; and C) controlling the sponsored service connection according to the information related to the sponsored service, if receiving a successful acknowledgement corresponding to the validating request. And a device corresponding to the method is provided. With the above method, the data connection of the sponsored application service may be dynamically controlled and configured, moreover the requirement of QoS control service can be dynamically met. | 10-03-2013 |
20130262308 | SPENDING LIMITS FOR OFFLINE CHARGING - Systems and methods that provide spending limits for offline charging. In one embodiment, an offline charging system monitors usage of an end user over a packet core network, and identifies a spending limit that the end user is allowed to consume during a time period, such as a billing cycle. The offline charging system determines that the usage of the end user is approaching the spending limit during a session, identifies options for the end user to continue with the session as the usage of the end user approaches the spending limit, and initiates a notification to the end user indicating the options. The offline charging system receives a response from the end user selecting one of the options, and conveys the selected option to a network element in the packet core network that modifies policies for the session. | 10-03-2013 |
20130308629 | TELECOM INFORMATION FOR WEB SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED BY A TELECOM NETWORK - Systems and methods for identifying telecom information for web services that will be provided by a telecom network. In one embodiment, a telecom data element is implemented in a telecom network. When a web service request is initiated by an application and sent to a web service gateway, the web service gateway sends a query to the telecom data element. The telecom data element receives the query, and identifies telecom information that relates to the web service that will be provided by the telecom network. For example, the telecom information may comprise policy rules, context information (e.g., location, presence, etc.), and subscriber profiles. After collecting the telecom information, the telecom data element transmits a response to the web service gateway that includes the telecom information. The web service gateway may then process the telecom information to determine how to handle the service request for the web service. | 11-21-2013 |
20130310013 | CALLER ID FOR TEXT MESSAGING - Systems and methods for providing caller ID information for text messaging. In one embodiment, a message center receives a text message from a sender, and identifies a name of the sender. The message center then inserts the sender name in the text message, and transmits the text message towards a recipient. | 11-21-2013 |
20130315230 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A USER WITH CHARGING-RELATED VOICE SERVICE - The present invention provides a ubiquitous solution for providing charge-related voice service such as voice announcement and interactive voice response in an IP multimedia subsystem. In particularly, an online charging system ( | 11-28-2013 |
20130322344 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACQUIRING AND USING LOCATION INFORMATION - The present invention discloses a method and device for acquiring and using location information, where a mobility management entity acquires trusted user location information from a base station and provides a home subscriber server with the trusted location information. With enhanced interfaces between the home subscriber server, on one side, and a serving-call/session control function, a proxy subscriber server and the serving-call/session control function, an application server, an online charging system and an offline charging system respectively, on the other side, the home subscriber server can provide these network elements with the trusted user location information, and also with enhanced interfaces between the online charging system and the offline charging system, on one side, and the serving-call/session control function, the proxy subscriber server and the serving-call/session control function, and the application server respectively, on the other side, transmission of the trusted user location information via these interfaces can be supported. | 12-05-2013 |
20130325708 | APPLICATION ACCESS MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - An exemplary application access manager apparatus includes at least one computing device. A digital data storage comprises a relationship establishment program, an application access program and a revenue allocation program. A processor is configured to execute the relationship establishment program to apply a plurality of rules that govern a relationship between a user desiring access to at least one application and at least one of a service provider or an application provider. The processor is configured to execute the application access program to obtain information regarding any access by the user of the application. The processor is configured to execute the revenue allocation program to determine how to charge the user for any access to the application and to allocate any revenue to at least one of the service provider or the application provider. | 12-05-2013 |
20130344800 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING REOCCURRENCE DISPLAY OF COMMERCIAL MOBILE ALERT MESSAGES - A commercial mobile alert message (e.g., without limitation, a WRITE-REPLACE message), delivered by a CMSP to one or more targeted mobile devices, specifies one or more reoccurrence display parameters adapted to invoke multiple reoccurrent displays of the CMAM by targeted mobile devices. The reoccurrence display parameters may comprise, for example, a mandatory or optional advisory; a number of displays condition; a time interval between consecutive displays condition; and a compliance time interval condition. | 12-26-2013 |
20140004890 | DEVICE REACHABILITY IN LTE NETWORKS FOR TEXT MESSAGING | 01-02-2014 |
20140006630 | SESSION INITIATION PROTOCOL (SIP) FOR MESSAGE THROTTLING | 01-02-2014 |
20140036785 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING QOS AND/OR POLICY AND CHARGING CONTROL OF A GUEST USER - The invention proposes a method and device for controlling QoS and/or policy and charging control of a guest user. The method proposes an innovative solution to extend the current policy and charging control architecture and online charging system to dynamically control the data connection of third party application services over network operator's network. This enables network operator and third party application provider to jointly provide QoS control service based on end user service usage limit. | 02-06-2014 |
20140078937 | ADVICE OF CHARGING (AoC) SERVICES IN IMS NETWORKS - IMS networks, subscriber databases, and methods are disclosed for providing AoC services in IMS networks. The subscriber database is provisioned with AoC indicators for IMS users that subscribe to AoC services. An S-CSCF in an IMS network receives a first register message from an IMS user, and transmits a second register message to the subscriber database. In response to the second register message, the subscriber database identifies an AoC indicator for the IMS user that is registering, inserts the AoC indicator in a third register message, and transmits the third register message to the S-CSCF. The S-CSCF then stores the AoC indicator for the IMS user. If a signaling message is received for a session involving the IMS user, then the S-CSCF will forward the AoC indicator for the IMS user to an AoC application server, which collects the appropriate AoC information and provides the information to the IMS user. | 03-20-2014 |
20140086052 | CONGESTION CONTROL FOR RADIO ACCESS NETWORKS (RAN) - Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling congestion in a Radio Access Network (RAN). One embodiment comprises a charging system of a network. The charging system receives a traffic report for a RAN indicating a congestion condition in an area of the RAN. The charging system then identifies a subscriber in the area of the RAN, identifies a service plan for the subscriber, and generates modified rules that deviate from predefined rules in the service plan of the subscriber in response to the congestion condition. The charging system then provides the modified rules to a network entity, such as a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), that performs policy and charging control for a service requested by the subscriber. | 03-27-2014 |
20140095653 | Optimization Of SH Traffic By A Cache-And-Try-First Mechanism - In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, whenever an AS queries an HSS for a user's S-CSCF address, the AS stores the mobile user's S-CSCF address along with a time stamp, preferably within a database at the AS. When the AS then receives a service request requiring the use of the end user's S-CSCF address, the AS reuses the mobile user's S-CSCF address cached at the AS local database. The AS can also determine whether to reuse the user's cached S-CSCF address based on the policy of the service provider and the timestamp of the cached S-CSCF address. The AS can develop a time window for reusing the cached S-CSCF address based with policies. | 04-03-2014 |
20140101040 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - In an embodiment of the invention, there is proposed a method of initiating a charging request in a communication network, the method including the steps of: A. retrieving network context information of a web service from a data repository corresponding to the web service in response to a first charging request from the web service; B. generating a second charging request from the network: context information; and C. transmitting the second charging request to a charging system. With the foregoing solution, the access gateway of the web service or the web service gateway can retrieve network charging and policy information and other network context information of the web service from a network data repository and inserts the information into a charging request transmitted to a network charging system, and the charging system can use the, network context information to charging for the charging request. | 04-10-2014 |
20140169537 | NOTIFICATION TO A COMUNICATION DEVICE THAT A VOICE MAIL RECORDING IS IN PROGRESS - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a notification to a communication device indicating that a voice mail recording from a calling party is in progress. One embodiment comprises a voice mail entity of a communication network. The voice mail entity initiates a recording of a voice mail message from a calling party for a communication device, and provides an alert to the communication device indicating that the recording of the voice mail message is in progress. In another embodiment, the voice mail entity receives a request from the communication device to communicate with the calling party, determines if the recording is in progress, and forwards a call from voice mail entity to the communication device based on a determination that the recording is in progress. | 06-19-2014 |
20140179296 | Over The Air Modification Of The Telephone Number Of A Mobile Unit - The telephone number, such as the MSISDN or MDN, of a mobile unit can be changed with Over the Air (OTA) messaging without replacing the SIM/UICC device or changing the IMSI of the mobile unit. The user of a mobile unit can add or change a telephone number of a mobile unit without having to go to a service center or replace the SIM card of the mobile unit. | 06-26-2014 |
20140189845 | AUTHENTICATION OF APPLICATIONS THAT ACCESS WEB SERVICES - Systems and methods for authenticating applications that access web services. In one embodiment, a web service gateway intercepts a request for a web service from an application, and determines if the application is authorized by a service provider based on information provided in the web service request. If the application is authorized, then the web service gateway identifies a profile for an end user that initiated the web service using the application, and determines if the web service is allowed for the end user based on the profile. If the web service is allowed for the end user, then the web service gateway determines that the application is authenticated, converts the web service request to a protocol used by a server that provides the web service, and transmits the web service request to the server. | 07-03-2014 |
20140273932 | SESSION ANCHOR TIMESTAMP FOR INTERIM ACCOUNTING REQUESTS - Systems and methods that handle failover between peer charging functions for offline charging. In one embodiment, a Charging Trigger Function (CTF) of a network element detects an interim chargeable event during a session, and generates an interim accounting request for the session responsive to the interim chargeable event. The CTF inserts a session anchor timestamp in the interim accounting request indicating the start time for the session, and transmits the interim accounting request to a charging function. The charging function then monitors a time limit trigger for closing a Charging Data Record (CDR) for the session based on the session anchor timestamp. | 09-18-2014 |
20140273933 | CONTROL OF TIME LIMIT TRIGGERS FOR OFFLINE CHARGING - Systems and methods for controlling time limit triggers for offline charging. In one embodiment, a network element that serves an active session for User Equipment (UE) includes a Charging Trigger Function (CTF) that detect expiry of a time limit for triggering an interim accounting request to an offline charging system during the active session. The CTF then identifies a data usage by the UE during the time limit, and determines if the data usage by the UE during the time limit exceeds a threshold. If the data usage exceeds the threshold, then the CTF sends the interim accounting request to the offline charging system responsive to expiry of the time limit. If the data usage does not exceed the threshold, then the CTF stops the interim accounting request from being sent to the offline charging system responsive to expiry of the time limit. | 09-18-2014 |
20140274186 | CONTROL OF GROUP TRIGGERS FOR MTC SERVICES - Systems and methods for controlling group triggers for Machine-Type Communications (MTC) services. In one embodiment, a Services Capability Server (SCS) of a network receives a request indicating a group trigger from an MTC server to activate an MTC feature in a group of MTC devices. In response to the group trigger request, the SCS queries a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) for network policies defined for group triggers, and controls delivery of the group trigger to the group of MTC devices based on the network policies provided by the PCRF. | 09-18-2014 |
20140286199 | METHOD OF ONLINE CHARGING A GUEST USER OF AN APPLICATION CONTENT PROVIDER - The invention proposes a method of integrating a service of an application content provider in an IMS core network, and the method includes the step of: allowing a network user to click-to-dial a mobile caller by using a network account. Preferably the step of allowing a network user to click-to-dial a mobile caller by using a network account is performed by providing an open application program interface between the application content provider and a call session control function. | 09-25-2014 |
20140289803 | CDR FILTERING FOR VIRTUAL OPERATORS - Systems and methods that filter Charging Data Records (CDRs) before sending the CDRs to a virtual operator, such as a Network Unaffiliated Virtual Operator (NUVO). In one embodiment, a communication network provides services to subscribers of a virtual operator. The communication network includes a reporting entity comprising a CDR database configured to store CDRs for subscribers of the virtual operator. The reporting entity also includes a filtering node configured to filter the CDRs to remove fields that are not authorized to be shared with the virtual operator, and to report the filtered CDRs to the virtual operator. | 09-25-2014 |
20140295791 | NOTIFICATION OF CHARGING RATE ADJUSTMENTS IN REGIONS OF A MOBILE NETWORK TO CONTROL BANDWIDTH USAGE IN THE REGIONS - Systems and methods are disclosed that notify end users of mobile devices of charging rate adjustments within a mobile network. A rate notification system receives bandwidth usage data for the mobile network, and identifies a region within the mobile network having a bandwidth usage that exceeds a threshold. The bandwidth usage is processed per media type (i.e., voice calls, text messages, etc) based on the bandwidth usage data. The rate notification system then identifies a mobile device located within the region, and identifies one or more contacts of the end user of the mobile device. The rate notification system then identifies an adjusted charging rate per contact per media type for this end user, and provides the adjusted charging rates to the end user of the mobile device. | 10-02-2014 |
20140349606 | DIFFERENTIAL ONLINE CHARGING FOR TEXT MESSAGES BASED ON NETWORK TYPE - Systems and methods are disclosed for performing online charging for text messages. One embodiment comprises a system that handles a Mobile Originated (MO) text message. The system receives a send request for the MO text message, and generates an online credit request for the MO text message. The system determines a type of originating network for the MO text message, and inserts an indicator of the originating network type in the online credit request. The system may also determine a type of terminating network for the MO text message, and insert an indicator of the terminating network type in the online credit request. The system then transmits the online credit request to an online charging system to charge for the MO text message. | 11-27-2014 |
20140376412 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING CHARGING CONTROL TO APPLICATION-LAYER DATA - An objective of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for performing charging control to application-layer data. When a trigger condition is satisfied, a TDF transmits a first credit control request to an OCS, wherein the first credit control request includes a result of inspecting an application or application traffic by the TDF; the OCS determines charging control information for the application or application traffic based on the first credit control request to generate a credit control answer; the OCS transmits the credit control answer to the TDF. Compared with the prior art, in the present invention, the TDF detects an application or application traffic and provides the detection result to the OCS; the OCS determines charging control information to the application or application flow and returns it to the TDF, thereby realizing charging control to the application-layer data and improving the accuracy of the charging system. | 12-25-2014 |
20140378103 | ARCHIVING A DELIVERY STATUS FOR A TEXT MESSAGE - Systems and methods for archiving a delivery status of a text message in addition to the text message itself. In one embodiment, a message center receives a text message, and attempts delivery of the text message to a recipient. The message center generates a copy of the text message, and sends the copy of the text message to an archive center for archiving. The message center also identifies a delivery status of the text message, and sends the delivery status to the archive center for archiving in addition to the copy of the text message. | 12-25-2014 |
20150088987 | PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT TO AN IMS USER DURING REGISTRATION - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing supplemental content to a user of a communication device during registration. When a communication device attempts to register with an IMS network, the IMS network receives a register request message from the communication device, and processes the register request message to register the communication device. The IMS network also identifies supplemental content to provide to the communication device, such as account information, weather content, news, location information, advertisements, etc. The IMS network generates a register response message, and embeds or otherwise includes the supplemental content in the register response message. The IMS network then transmits the register response message to the communication device. Responsive to receiving the register response message, the communication device identifies the supplemental content in the register response message, and provides the supplemental content to the user. | 03-26-2015 |