Telecommunications charging
First Claim
1. A telecommunications exchange includinga store (13) for storing records (CDRs) containing information as to the cost of connectionscontrol means (11) responsive to a connection being established between a calling party and a called party to create in the store a respective record containing charge information for the connection, and responsive, during the connection of said parties, to receipt of a charge variation request signal from one of said parties, to(a) transmit to whichever of said parties is to bear a proposed charge a signal requiring acknowledgement(b) modify the respective record upon receipt of such an acknowledgement.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
During a telephone or other connection an exchange stores information about charges to be made for that connection. To provide flexible charging the exchange responds to a charge variation request signal to transmit to a party by whom a proposed charge is to be borne a signal requiring acknowledgement and to modify a respective portion of the store contents relating to said connection in progress only if such an acknowledgement is received, so as to vary the charging arrangements, for example to invoke a higher rate of charge, or alternatively to change the party by whom charges are to be borne.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A telecommunications exchange including
a store (13) for storing records (CDRs) containing information as to the cost of connections control means (11) responsive to a connection being established between a calling party and a called party to create in the store a respective record containing charge information for the connection, and responsive, during the connection of said parties, to receipt of a charge variation request signal from one of said parties, to (a) transmit to whichever of said parties is to bear a proposed charge a signal requiring acknowledgement (b) modify the respective record upon receipt of such an acknowledgement.
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2. A telecommunications network including
a store (13) for storing records (CDRs) containing information as to the cost of connections control means (11) responsive to a connection being established between a calling party and a called party to create in the store a respective record containing charge information for the connection, and responsive, during the connection of said parties, to receipt of a charge variation request signal from one of said parties, to (a) transmit to whichever of said parties is to bear a proposed charge a signal requiring acknowledgement (b) modify the respective record upon receipt of such an acknowledgement.
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14. A method of operating a telecommunication network including the steps of;
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(a) making a connection between a first and a second party; (b) creating a respective record (CDR) containing information as to the charge to be made for the connection; (c) receiving, during said connection, a charge variation request signal from one of said parties; and
in response(d) transmitting, to whichever of said parties is to be bear a proposed charge, a signal requiring acknowledgement; and (e) modifying said respective record upon receipt of such an acknowledgement.
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Specification