Method for obtaining billing validation of directory number accounts from line identification databases in a telecommunications network

• US 5,699,416 A
• Filed: 10/05/1995
• Issued: 12/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Atkins, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US08/539,384
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 379/112, 379/114, 379/115, 379/116, 379/119, 379/126, 379/121, 379/127, 379/201, 379/207, 379/221, 379/111
• US Class Current: 379/115.01
• 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 3/42297 with number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers

Abstract

A method for selecting one of a plurality of line identification (ID) databases for validation of an operator-assisted call billed to a ported directory number account comprises determining whether billing information received from a caller is directory number-based. If the billing information is directory number-based, an operator services system (OSS) queries a number portability database to retrieve available routing information associated with billing information provided by the caller. The routing information is used to access a billing acceptance database which stores a list of those service providers which allow the OSS to access their customer data. If the OSS is able to access an identified service provider'"'"'s data, the routing information received from the number portability database is used to route a billing validation request to a selected one of the plurality of line ID databases.

Claims

1. In a telecommunications network including at least one operator services system (OSS) for completing operator-assisted calls, and a plurality of line identification (ID) databases, each line ID database containing billing authorization data for at least one directory number account, a method for billing an operator-assisted call to a directory number account comprises the steps of:

receiving in the OSS an originally dialed directory number and billing information from a caller;

determining that the billing information received from the caller specifies billing a call to a directory number account;

using the billing information received from the caller to access a billing acceptance database to determine if the OSS has access to customer data of a service provider associated with the directory number account specified in the billing information;

if the OSS has access to the customer data of the service provider, routing a billing validation request to one of the plurality of line ID databases based on the billing information received from the caller; and

sending a billing record to a billing system so that the directory number account can be billed for the call.

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

following the step of determining that the billing information specifies billing a call to a directory number account, using the billing information to query a number portability database which contains routing information associated with the directory number account.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of:

following the step of querying a number portability database, routing a billing validation request to one of the plurality of line ID databases by using the routing information retrieved from the number portability database.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of routing a billing validation request to one of the plurality of line ID databases comprises the step of:

converting the routing information into a line ID database address.

5. In a telecommunications network comprising an operator services system (OSS) linked to a plurality of line identification (ID) databases via a signaling network wherein the OSS is inter-connected to at least one switch, a method for retrieving information from one of the plurality of line ID databases comprises the steps of:

determining that billing information relating to a call received in the OSS requires accessing a line identification (ID) database for call billing validation;

querying a number portability database to retrieve routing information associated with the billing information;

using the routing information to access a billing acceptance database to determine whether the OSS has access to customer data of a service provider; and

if the OSS has access to customer data of the service provider, retrieving information associated with billing validation from a selected line ID database.

6. A telecommunications network comprises:

an operator services system (OSS) for receiving calls from a plurality of switches wherein each of the calls requires billing validation;

a number portability database inter-connected to the OSS by a data link, wherein the number portability database stores routing information relating to ported directory numbers;

a signaling network inter-connecting the OSS with a plurality of line identification (ID) databases, at least two of the line ID databases containing data for directory numbers with the same NPA-XXX;

means for determining whether the OSS has access to the line ID databases; and

means for retrieving information associated with billing validation from one of the line ID databases.