System and method for logging outgoing telephone calls

• US 20020126821A1
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Assets 186 LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Assets 186 LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Barak, Zvi, Barak, Sarah, Barak, Gad
• Application Number:
  US09/988,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20020126821A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/70 Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/73 Validating charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/888 severing connection after predetermined time or data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0116 Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/70 Administration aspects, modify settings or limits or counter-check correct charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7072 Validate charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords

Abstract

A telephone call logging system includes a database containing identifiers and optionally call control limitations assigned to the identifiers. Call control limitations may include budgetary, time, geographic, and other limitations to a call. A telephone line is subscribed to the system, and users of the line are provided identifiers which may have one or more of the call control limitations. When making an outgoing call, the telephone network queries the database and determine whether the telephone line is subscribed. If the telephone is subscribed, the telephone network communicates with a server which requests the user to enter the identifier. It is then determined which, if any, call control limitations, are placed upon the user and whether and for how long the call can be connected. The call and its disposition are recorded in a log preferably accessible via the Internet.

Claims

1. A system for logging outgoing telephone calls from a telephone over a telephone network to a destination telephone number, said system comprising:

a server in communication with the telephone network, said server including a database including lists of subscribed line telephone numbers and identifiers associated with the subscribed line telephone numbers, and a log of calls to destination telephone numbers dialed from said subscribed line telephone numbers and associating an identifier with each said call.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said log is accessible from the Internet.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

for each said subscribed line telephone number, said log includes only calls which are designated as restricted in said database with respect to each said subscribed line telephone number.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said log includes destination telephone numbers, a date and time of each call, and a duration of each call.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein:

said log further includes an effective cost of each call.

6. A system according to claim 4, wherein:

said log further includes a number from which each call is initiated.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said database includes updatable account information associated with each identifier.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said database is coupled to an intelligent peripheral with interactive voice response (IVR) capability.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said server is implemented at a service control point (SCP) within an Intelligent Network.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein;

said server is separate from a service control point (SCP) of an Intelligent Network.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said identifiers include at least one of a numeric code, a voice print, and a code word.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said server is located at a service node.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein:

said service node is located at a telephone company switch.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said server is in communication with at least two telephone networks.

15. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said identifier is one of a user identifier, a client identifier, and a job identifier.

16. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said database includes one or more call control limitations assigned to at least one of the identifiers,

said call control limitations including at least one of budgetary restrictions, day restrictions, time restrictions, telephone system restrictions, geographic restrictions, and particular telephone number exclusions.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein:

said restricted telephone numbers include one of (i) all telephone numbers, (ii) all telephone numbers other than local telephone calls, (iii) all telephone numbers within a particular area country or city code, and (iv) particular individual telephone numbers.

18. A system according to claim 16, wherein:

said restricted telephone numbers are defined by at least one mask.

20. A method according to claim 19, further comprising:

e) providing said log in a format viewable on a display of a computer system coupled to the server over the Internet.

19. A method for logging outgoing telephone calls over a telephone line by users of a telephone coupled to the telephone line, comprising:

a) providing a system including a server having a list of subscribed telephone lines and a log, said server being accessible over the Internet;

b) subscribing the telephone line to said system;

c) providing an identifier to each user of the subscribed telephone line; and

d) for calls to destination telephone numbers by a user, recording the associated identifier and the destination telephone numbers in the log on the server.