Real time administration of shared communication plan arrangements

• US 20040235457A1
• Filed: 05/20/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Hunter, Karla Rae, Florkey, Cynthia Kae, Joglekar, Mrinal Milind, Halsell, Victoria Marie, Martin, Ronald Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 7,245,932 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing real time updates of a database describing the features of individual terminals of a shared plan telecommunications group for communication sessions from and to that individual terminal. The characteristics (numbering plan, incoming and outgoing screening, alternate routing, types of service provided) of each of the individual stations of the shared communication plan are stored in a database accessed through a server. The database can be updated in real time by a designated one of the stations in the shared group. The designated station can also handle appeals for an exception to the restrictions stored in the database. The designated station can receive immediate or periodic information on activity of individual stations, or can receive such information on request. Advantageously, updates of the database can be implemented immediately and economically without requiring assistance of the personnel of the carrier, and the designated station can control communications for the group.

Claims

1. In a telecommunications network, a method of establishing a communication session comprising the steps of:

grouping a plurality of telecommunications stations into a shared plan group;

initializing a database comprising data for determining for each member of said shared plan group which communication terminals can be called by the member and from which communication terminals the member can be called;

responsive to receipt of a request for a communication session, determining whether the requesting or the requested terminal is part of a shared plan group;

if said requesting or requested terminal is part of a shared plan group, determining whether the requesting terminal is authorized to establish a communication session with the requested terminal and whether the requested terminal is authorized to establish a communication session with the requesting terminal;

if the communication session is authorized, completing the call;

wherein only an authorized member of the shared communication plan group authorized to change data in the shared plan database can change said data in the shared plan database; and

responsive to receipt of a request from a station authorized to change the shared plan data file, editing said shared plan data file;

wherein the shared plan data file can be updated in real time based on input from said authorized member of the shared plan group.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said telecommunications network comprises:

a mobile network; and

wherein at least one member of said shared plan group is a mobile station.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said communication session comprises a telecommunications call from or to said at least one member.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining step comprises the step of accessing an application server for accessing data to make the determination.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining step comprises the steps of:

presenting an indication of said requested communication session to said requested terminal; and

giving a party at said requested terminal an option of establishing said communication session or establishing a communication session to a predetermined alternate destination.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

if the communication session is not authorized, permitting the requesting or requested terminal to send an immediate appeal indication to said member of the shared communication plan group authorized to change data to request an exception from a restriction on the communication session; and

responsive to receipt of an authorization from said member authorized to change data, for establishing said communication session, allowing said call to be completed.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein permission to request an exception is one of the restrictions stored for a member of the shared plan group.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

collecting data for communication sessions to and from said shared plan group; and

reporting said data to the member of the shared plan communication group authorized to change data.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said member of the shared communication plan group authorized to change data can request said traffic data.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein data for a communication session is immediately transmitted to said member of the shared communication plan authorized to change data.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said member of the shared communication plan group authorized to change data is identified by a personal identification number.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein a member of said plan group authorized to change data is also authorized to designate another member as authorized to change data.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said communication session is from a member of said group to an Internet web site.

14. In a telecommunications network, apparatus for establishing a communication session, comprising:

means for grouping a plurality of telecommunications stations into a shared plan group;

means for initializing a database comprising data for determining for each member of said shared plan group which communication terminals can be called by the member and from which communication terminals the member can be called;

means, responsive to receipt of a request for a communication session, for determining whether the requesting or the requested terminal is part of a shared plan group;

if said requesting or requested terminal is part of a shared plan group, means for determining whether the requesting terminal is authorized to establish a communication session with the requested terminal and whether the requested terminal is authorized to establish a communication session with the requesting terminal;

if the communication session is authorized, means for completing the call;

wherein only an authorized member of the shared communication plan group authorized to change data in the shared plan database can change said data in the shared plan database; and

means, responsive to receipt of a request from a station authorized to change the shared plan data file, for editing said shared plan data file;

wherein the shared plan data file can be updated in real time based on input from said authorized member of the shared plan group.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said telecommunications network comprises:

a mobile network; and

wherein at least one member of said shared plan group is a mobile station.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said communication session comprises a telecommunications call from or to said at least one member.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the determining means comprises means for accessing an application server for accessing data to make the determination.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:

if the communication session is not authorized, means for permitting the requesting or requested terminal to send an immediate appeal indication to said member of the shared communication plan group authorized to change data to request an exception from a restriction on the communication session; and

means, responsive to receipt of an authorization from said member authorized to change data, for establishing said communication session, allowing said call to be completed.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:

means for collecting data for communication sessions to and from said shared plan group; and

means for reporting said data to the member of the shared plan communication group authorized to change data.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said member of the shared communication plan group authorized to change data is identified by a personal identification number.