Call-processing system and method

• US 6,643,362 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2001
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Global Crossing Telecommunications Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Global Crossing Limited (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Austin, Mark A., Smith, Keith E., Busch, Eric M., Berry, Dana Bruce, Kripakaran, Raghavan, Hogan, Steven J., Vercande, David J., Murdock, Douglas R., Jayasimha, Madhigubba G., Goodman, Todd A., Tangeman, Michael R., Feltz, Kristi T.
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BENNY QUOC
• Application Number:
  US09/912,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20020103899A1
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 379/196, 379/197, 379/198, 379/189, 379/190, 379/191, 379/114.14, 379/114.17, 379/121.04, 379/126, 379/127.02
• US Class Current: 379/196
• 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 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/59 based on real time
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/7655 shared by technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/77 involving multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/772 per service, e.g. prepay or post-pay
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8044 Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6027 Fraud preventions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/45 public-private interworking, e.g. centrex
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0116 Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0152 General billing plans, rate plans, e.g. charge rates, numbering plans, rate centers, customer accounts
• 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 2215/42 : Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/46 : Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/54 : Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 : Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/725 : Shared by technologies, e.g. one account for different access technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7254 : Multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7263 : per service, e.g. prepay and post-pay
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/745 : Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 : in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42314 : in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 : Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/00 : Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1302 : Relay switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1304 : Coordinate switches, crossbar, 4/2 with relays, coupling field
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13104 : Central control, computer control
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13139 : Fraud detection/prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13298 : Local loop systems, access network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1337 : Operator, emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 : Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13383 : Hierarchy of switches, main and subexchange, e.g. satellite exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 : Arrangements providing connection between exchanges

Abstract

A system and method for processing telephone calls and providing enhanced services is presented. The call processing system includes a network control processor for controlling the processing and routing of the calls and for providing enhanced features, and a matrix switch for routing calls from an originating location to a terminating location. Operator consoles can be included to provide operator assistance to the caller. The network control processor comprises a central message processor that receives call data, determines the type of call, determines the processing required, and determines whether operator assistance is required. A call route distributor allocates an operator console to the call if required. A billing server is used to track billing information for the call while it is in progress. A database server is provided for database look-ups and storage. The call processing system also includes a validation system, a billing system, a distribution system, and a fraud detection and prevention system. The validation system is used to validate call information to determine whether the call can be placed. The billing system determines rates for calls and calculates the cost of completed calls. The distribution system distributes changes that are made to a master database to the appropriate slave database. The fraud detection and prevention system monitors originating and in-process calls to detect and possibly prevent possible fraudulent uses of phone services and systems. A client interface is provided to facilitate communications among applications and DEF records are used to define specific call processing actions.

Claims

1. A fraud detection system configured to provide fraud information to a operator console, the system comprising:

a matrix switch configured to;

receive a telephone call having a call audio portion and a call data portion;

analyze the call to determine a routing for the call audio portion of the telephone call; and

determine if the telephone call should be routed to an operator console;

an operator console configured to receive a telephone call and provide information to an operator regarding the call data portion of the telephone call;

a fraud system comprising;

a database configured to store one or more billing numbers;

a fraud monitoring module configured to monitor call data and compare the call data to one or more billing numbers;

an alarm generator configured to generate an alarm;

an interface configured to receive an alarm from the alarm generator and provide the alarm to the operator console.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the call data portion includes a billing number.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the database also contains an alarm threshold and the fraud monitoring module tracks and compares billing number usage to the alarm threshold.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm comprises an audio alarm and the interface includes means for adjusting the characteristics of the audio alarm.

5. The system of claim 1, further including means for searching, at the operator console, billing number history.