Technique for attributing communication call transactions to user affiliations and adjusting billings thereof

• US 20030076939A1
• Filed: 10/19/2001
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Original Assignee: Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.
• Inventors: Timmins, Timothy A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,816,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/114.05
• 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 15/07 Split billing, i.e. both A-party and B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/09 Third party charged communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/54 for revenue sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/64 Split billing, sharing the cost of calls, e.g. between calling and called parties
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/66 Third party billing, i.e. third party can also be the predetermined telephone line of the caller if he is calling from another telephone set

Abstract

In prior art, a user can access a particular information assistance service provider only through the carrier contracting the particular provider by dialing special digits recognized by the carrier'"'"'s switches. In accordance with the invention, an independent telephone number is assigned to the particular provider which enables the user to call the provider independent of the carrier used. When the user calls the provider for information assistance service using the independent telephone number, a user affiliation file associated with the user is retrieved. Such a file includes information concerning one or more user affiliations recognized by the provider. Part of the service charges incurred in the information assistance call are allocated to the recognized user affiliations, or the user as a credit, discount or other remuneration.

Claims

1. A method for use in a system for allocating charges for an information assistance service, the method comprising:

obtaining data concerning the user making a request for the information assistance service;

identifying, based on the data, at least one entity with which the user is affiliated; and

allocating a portion of the charges to the identified entity.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the request is made through a telephone carrier.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the entity includes a second telephone carrier contracting the information assistance service.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the request is made through an Internet.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the data identifies the user.

6. A method for allocating charges for an information assistance service, the method comprising:

receiving call set-up signals associated with a call for the information assistance service;

deriving from the call set-up signals a call identifier;

determining whether the call identifier corresponds to a predetermined identifier;

obtaining data concerning the user when it is determined that the call identifier corresponds to the predetermined identifier;

identifying, based on the data, at least one entity with which the user is affiliated; and

allocating a portion of the charges to the identified entity.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the call identifier includes a telephone number to which the call is made.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the predetermined identifier includes a telephone number for access to the information assistance service, the access being independent of a telephone carrier used.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the data includes an automatic number identification (ANI) derived from the call set-up signals.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the data includes a personal identification number (PIN).

11. The method of claim 6 wherein information concerning the entity is stored in association with the data.

12. The method of claim 6 wherein an amount of the portion is a function of an extent of efforts with which the entity promotes the information assistance service.

13. A method for conducting a transaction through an information assistance call by a user, the method comprising:

deriving data from call set-up signals associated with the information assistance call;

identifying, based on the data, a plurality of accounts for billing the user; and

charging to a selected one of the accounts charges incurred in the transaction.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the charges include costs for providing an information assistance service during the information assistance call.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein a portion of the charges is allocated to an entity collecting the charges.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the entity includes a credit card issuer.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the entity includes a debit card issuer.

18. A system for allocating charges for an information assistance service, the system comprising:

an interface for obtaining data concerning the user making a request for the information assistance service; and

a processor for identifying, based on the data, at least one entity with which the user is affiliated, a portion of the charges being allocated to the identified entity.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the request is made through a telephone carrier.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the entity includes a second telephone carrier contracting the information assistance service.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the request is made through an Internet.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein the data identifies the user.

23. A system for allocating charges for an information assistance service, the system comprising:

a switch for receiving call set-up signals associated with a call for the information assistance service, a call identifier being derived from the call set-up signals;

a controller for determining whether the call identifier corresponds to a predetermined identifier;

an interface for obtaining data concerning the user when it is determined that the call identifier corresponds to the predetermined identifier; and

a processor for identifying, based on the data, at least one entity with which the user is affiliated, a portion of the charges being allocated to the identified entity.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the call identifier includes a telephone number to which the call is made.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the predetermined identifier includes a telephone number for access to the information assistance service, the access being independent of a telephone carrier used.

26. The system of claim 23 wherein the data includes an ANI derived from the call set-up signals.

27. The system of claim 23 wherein the data includes a PIN.

28. The system of claim 23 further comprising a memory for storing information concerning the entity in association with the data.

29. The system of claim 23 wherein an amount of the portion is a function of an extent of efforts with which the entity promotes the information assistance service.

30. A system for conducting a transaction through an information assistance call by a user, the system comprising:

a controller for deriving data from call set-up signals associated with the information assistance call; and

a processor for identifying, based on the data, a plurality of accounts for billing the user, and charges incurred in the transaction being charged to a selected one of the accounts.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the charges include costs for providing an information assistance service during the information assistance call.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein a portion of the charges is allocated to an entity collecting the charges.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the entity includes a credit card issuer.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein the entity includes a debit card issuer.