Systems and methods for charging and billing

• US 10,027,819 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2015
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lu, Tingting, Manno, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Glass, Russell S
• Application Number:
  US14/746,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20150288829A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• Field of Search: 705 34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1091 Recording time for administrative or management purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/227 characterised in that multiple accounts are available, e.g. to the payer
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/10 Tax strategies
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/123 Tax preparation or submission
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/07 Split billing, i.e. both A-party and B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/28 with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A method includes receiving input at a user interface displayed by a wireless device, the wireless device configured to access a communication service. The method also includes determining, at a processor of the wireless device, usage profile-related information based at least in part on the input. The method further includes generating a message associated with the usage profile-related information, the message indicating that usage of the communication service is to be billed to a first billing account of a plurality of billing accounts associated with the wireless device. The method also includes sending the message from the wireless device via a wireless network and directed to a network element.

Claims

1. A computer-readable memory device storing instructions that, when executed, cause a wireless device to perform operations comprising:

receiving first user input at a user interface displayed by the wireless device, the wireless device configured to access a communication service and store data associated with a plurality of usage profiles, the first user input selecting a first usage profile of the plurality of usage profiles, wherein the first usage profile of the plurality of usage profiles corresponds to a first service related to accessing a wireless access network, and wherein a second usage profile of the plurality of usage profiles corresponds to a second service distinct from the first service and related to accessing a packet switching access network; and

after selection of the first usage profile and in response to receipt of second user input to initiate a particular communication service;

generating a message associated with usage profile-related information corresponding to the first usage profile, the message indicating that usage of the communication service is to be billed to a first billing account of a plurality of billing accounts associated with the wireless device; and

sending, from the wireless device, via a wireless network, the message directed to a network element to initiate a communication session at the wireless device, wherein the message includes an identifier that is associated with the usage profile-related information.

2. The computer-readable memory device of claim 1, wherein the usage profile-related information indicates whether the usage of the communication service is work usage or personal usage.

3. The computer-readable memory device of claim 1, wherein the usage profile-related information is independent of a subscriber identity module within the wireless device, the subscriber identity module corresponding to the communication service.

4. The computer-readable memory device of claim 3, wherein the subscriber identity module is operable for use in a connection with each of the plurality of billing accounts.

5. The computer-readable memory device of claim 1, wherein the first billing account comprises a work account.

6. The computer-readable memory device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of billing accounts includes the work account and further includes a personal account.

7. The computer-readable memory device of claim 1, wherein the wireless network comprises an internet protocol network and wherein the message comprises an internet protocol message.

8. The computer-readable memory device of claim 1, wherein the message is associated with a voice call.

9. The computer-readable memory device of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a voice over internet protocol message.

10. The computer-readable memory device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device comprises a mobile phone.

11. The computer-readable memory device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device comprises a computer.

12. The computer-readable memory device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device comprises a hand-held device.

13. The computer-readable memory device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:

generating, at the wireless device, a second message associated with second usage profile-related information, the second message indicating that usage of the communication service is to be billed to a second billing account of the plurality of billing accounts; and

sending the second message from the wireless device via the wireless network.

14. A wireless device comprising:

a network interface configured to access a communication service via a wireless network;

a processor; and

a memory storing data associated with a plurality of usage profiles and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving, at a displayed user interface, a first selection of a first usage profile of the plurality of usage profiles, wherein the first usage profile corresponds to a first service related to accessing a wireless access network, and wherein a second usage profile of the plurality of usage profiles corresponds to a second service distinct from the first service and related to accessing a packet switching access network; and

after receiving the first selection and in response to receipt of user input to initiate a particular communication service;

generating a first message associated with usage profile-related information corresponding to the first usage profile, the first message indicating that usage of the communication service is to be billed to a first billing account; and

sending the first message via the network interface, the first message directed to a network element to initiate a communication session at the wireless device, wherein the first message includes an identifier that is associated with the first usage profile-related information.

15. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the wireless device comprises a mobile phone.

16. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the wireless device comprises a computer.

20. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the usage profile-related information indicates whether the usage of the communication service is work usage or personal usage.

17. A method comprising:

receiving first user input at a user interface displayed by a wireless device, the wireless device configured to access a communication service and store data associated with a plurality of usage profiles, the first user input selecting a first usage profile of the plurality of usage profiles, wherein the first usage profile corresponds to a first service related to accessing a wireless access network, and wherein a second usage profile of the plurality of usage profiles corresponds to a second service distinct from the first service and related to accessing a packet switching access network; and

after selection of the first usage profile and in response to receipt of second user input to initiate a particular communication service;

generating a message associated with usage profile-related information corresponding to the first usage profile, the message indicating that usage of the communication service is to be billed to a first billing account of a plurality of billing accounts associated with the wireless device; and

sending, from the wireless device, via a wireless network, the message directed to a network element to initiate a communication session at the wireless device, wherein the message includes an identifier that is associated with the usage profile-related information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of billing accounts includes a work account and a personal account.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the usage profile-related information indicates whether the usage of the communication service is work usage or personal usage.