Call originator access control through user-specified pricing mechanism in a communication network
First Claim
1. A method for controlling access of call originators to user terminals in a communication system, the method comprising the steps of:
- storing for a given user terminal of the system a set of user-specified access cost information to be applied to one or more incoming calls directed to the user terminal; and
determining an amount to charge an originator of a given incoming call directed to the user terminal based at least in part on an access cost for the given incoming call as determined from the user-specified access cost information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Access of telemarketers or other call originators to destination user terminals of a communication system is controlled by storing for a given one of the user terminals a set of user-specified access cost information to be applied to one or more incoming calls directed to the given user terminal. A service provider or associated network processing element of the system utilizes the user-specified access cost information to determine an amount to charge an originator of a given incoming call directed to the user terminal. The charge for the incoming call may thus include a usual toll charge, if any, as well as an additional access cost determined based from the user-specified access cost information for the destination user terminal. The access cost may be presented to the originator of the given incoming call, and the incoming call may be routed to the user terminal only if the presented access cost is approved by the originator of the given incoming call. The access cost is charged to the originator and may be credited at least in part to an account of a called party associated with the user terminal. Advantageously, the invention reduces unwanted calls, while also providing information that allows telemarketers and other call originators to better target their calls.
52 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for controlling access of call originators to user terminals in a communication system, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing for a given user terminal of the system a set of user-specified access cost information to be applied to one or more incoming calls directed to the user terminal; and
determining an amount to charge an originator of a given incoming call directed to the user terminal based at least in part on an access cost for the given incoming call as determined from the user-specified access cost information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A processor-based system for controlling access of call originators to user terminals in a communication system, the system comprising:
one or more processing elements configured to store for a given user terminal of the system a set of user-specified access cost information to be applied to one or more incoming calls directed to the user terminal, and to determine an amount to charge an originator of a given incoming call directed to the user terminal based at least in part on an access cost for the given incoming call as determined from the user-specified access cost information.
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18. A machine-readable medium containing one or more software programs for controlling access of call originators to user terminals in a communication system, wherein the one or more programs when executed implement the steps of:
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storing for a given user terminal of the system a set of user-specified access cost information to be applied to one or more incoming calls directed to the user terminal; and
determining an amount to charge an originator of a given incoming call directed to the user terminal based at least in part on an access cost for the given incoming call as determined from the user-specified access cost information.
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19. An apparatus for use in controlling access of call originators to user terminals in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory for storing for a given user terminal of the system a set of user-specified access cost information to be applied to one or more incoming calls directed to the user terminal; and
a processor coupled to the memory and operative to determine an amount to charge an originator of a given incoming call directed to the user terminal based at least in part on an access cost for the given incoming call as determined from the user-specified access cost information.
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Specification