Billing system for services provided via instant communications

• US 20030187800A1
• Filed: 04/02/2003
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: WorldCom, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Mumford, Gregory L., Gunasekar, Duraisamy, Moore, Richard G.
• Application Number:
  US10/404,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20030187800A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/52
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/40 Processing or translation of natural language natural language analysis G06F40/20; semantic analysis G06F40/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/58 Use of machine translation, e.g. for multi-lingual retrieval, for server-side translation for client devices or for real-time translation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/085 involving remote charge determination or related payment systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/00 Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 Architecture for metering, charging or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/308 Route determination based on user's profile, e.g. premium users
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/401 : wherein the services involve a main real-time session and one or more additional parallel real-time or time sensitive sessions, e.g. white board sharing or spawning of a subconference
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 : Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 : Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 : Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 : Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• 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 15/51 : for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 : for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 : for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/57 : for integrated multimedia messaging subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/63 : based on the content carried by the session initiation protocol [SIP] messages
• 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 15/8292 : Charging for signaling or unsuccessful connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 : Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 : Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 : Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2066 : Call type detection of indication, e.g. voice or fax, mobile of fixed, PSTN or IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4509 : Unified messaging with single point of access to voicemail and other mail or messaging systems unified messaging in packet switching networks H04L51/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 : Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 : VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/208 : IMS, i.e. Integrated Multimedia messaging Subsystem
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/44 : Charging/billing arrangements for connection made over different networks, e.g. wireless and PSTN, ISDN, etc.
• 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 2215/64 : 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
• 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 2215/82 : Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 : Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42127 : Systems providing several special services or facilities from groups H04M3/42008 - H04M3/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 : Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 : Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/465 : Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 : Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 : for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53308 : Message originator indirectly connected to the message centre, e.g. after detection of busy or absent state of a called party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0003 : Interconnection between telephone networks and data networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/003 : Click to dial services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0045 : where the text-based messaging service is an instant messaging service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0048 : where the text-based messaging service is a Short Message Service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0051 : where the data service is a multimedia messaging service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0054 : where the data service is an electronic mail service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/125 : Details of gateway equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1295 : Details of dual tone multiple frequency signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2335 : involving reformatting operations of audio signals, e.g. by converting from one coding standard to another details of audio signal transcoding G10L19/173
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234309 : by transcoding between formats or standards, e.g. from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 or from Quicktime to Realvideo conversion of standards in analog television systems H04N7/01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234336 : by media transcoding, e.g. video is transformed into a slideshow of still pictures or audio is converted into text
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440236 : by media transcoding, e.g. video is transformed into a slideshow of still pictures, audio is converted into text

Abstract

Systems, methods and program products are disclosed for determining billable usage of a communications system wherein services are provided via instant communications. In some embodiments, the present invention provides for authorizing the fulfillment of service requests based upon information pertaining to a billable account.

Claims

1. A method for controlling usage of a service providing system, the method comprising:

receiving indication that a first party, via an instant communications client communicating to the service providing system in a first communications session, is requesting that the service providing system perform a service;

responsive to the indication, determining a usage charge to be assessed for the performing the service;

determining whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge pertaining to the performing the service; and

conditionally causing the service providing system to perform the service responsive to whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party engaging in instant communications addressed to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the service comprises engaging an intelligent media translator which performs at least one of:

translating audio information from the second party into corresponding textual information to be received by the first party; and

translating textual information from the first party to be translated into corresponding audio information to be received by the second party.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the service comprises establishing a second communications session in a communications system.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the first party and a second party using a communications system.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the communications between the first party and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the instant communications client and a second party.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the communications between the instant communications client and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

11. A method of assessing charges for usage of a service providing system, the method comprising:

receiving indication that a first party, via an instant communications client communicating to the service providing system in a first communications session, is requesting that the service providing system perform a service; and

responsive to the indication, determining a usage charge to be assessed for the performing the service.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party engaging in instant communications addressed to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the service comprises engaging an intelligent media translator which performs at least one of:

translating audio information from the second party into corresponding textual information to be received by the first party; and

translating textual information from the first party to be translated into corresponding audio information to be received by the second party.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the service comprises establishing a second communications session in a communications system.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the first party and a second party using a communications system.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the communications between the first party and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the instant communications client and a second party.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the communications between the instant communications client and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

21. A method of controlling usage of a service providing system, comprising:

receiving indication that a first party is attempting to access the service providing system using an instant communications client;

determining a usage charge to be assessed for the first party accessing the communications service;

determining whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge pertaining to the first party accessing the service providing system; and

causing the service providing system to conditionally allow access by the first party responsive to whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party addressing instant communications to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

23. A method of assessing charges for usage of a service providing system, the method comprising:

receiving indication that a first party is accessing the service providing system using an instant communications client; and

responsive to the indication, determining a usage charge to be assessed for the accessing the communications service.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party addressing instant communications to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

25. A system for controlling usage of a service providing system, the system comprising:

means for receiving indication that a first party, via an instant communications client communicating to the service providing system in a first communications session, is requesting that the service providing system perform a service;

means for determining, responsive to the indication, a usage charge to be assessed for the performing the service;

means for determining whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge pertaining to the performing the service; and

means for conditionally causing the service providing system to perform the service responsive to whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party engaging in instant communications addressed to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the service comprises engaging an intelligent media translator which performs at least one of:

translating audio information from the second party into corresponding textual information to be received by the first party; and

translating textual information from the first party to be translated into corresponding audio information to be received by the second party.

28. The system of claim 25 wherein the service comprises establishing a second communications session in a communications system.

29. The system of claim 25 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the first party and a second party using a communications system.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the communications between the first party and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

32. The system of claim 25 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the instant communications client and a second party.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the communications between the instant communications client and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

35. A system for assessing charges for usage of a service providing system, the system comprising:

means for receiving indication that a first party, via an instant communications client communicating to the service providing system in a first communications session, is requesting that the service providing system perform a service; and

means for determining, responsive to the indication, a usage charge to be assessed for the performing the service.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party engaging in instant communications addressed to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

37. The system of claim 35 wherein the service comprises engaging an intelligent media translator which performs at least one of:

translating audio information from the second party into corresponding textual information to be received by the first party; and

translating textual information from the first party to be translated into corresponding audio information to be received by the second party.

38. The system of claim 35 wherein the service comprises establishing a second communications session in a communications system.

39. The system of claim 35 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the first party and a second party using a communications system.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein the communications between the first party and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

41. The system of claim 39 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

42. The system of claim 35 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the instant communications client and a second party.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein the communications between the instant communications client and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

44. The system of claim 42 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

45. A system for controlling usage of a service providing system, comprising:

means for receiving indication that a first party is attempting to access the service providing system using an instant communications client;

means for determining a usage charge to be assessed for the first party accessing the communications service;

means for determining whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge pertaining to the first party accessing the service providing system; and

means for causing the service providing system to conditionally allow access by the first party responsive to whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party addressing instant communications to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

47. A system for assessing charges for usage of a service providing system, the system comprising:

means for receiving indication that a first party is accessing the service providing system using an instant communications client; and

means for determining, responsive to the indication, a usage charge to be assessed for the accessing the communications service.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party addressing instant communications to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

49. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement a method for controlling usage of a service providing system, the method comprising:

receiving indication that a first party, via an instant communications client communicating to the service providing system in a first communications session, is requesting that the service providing system perform a service;

responsive to the indication, determining a usage charge to be assessed for the performing the service;

determining whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge pertaining to the performing the service; and

conditionally causing the service providing system to perform the service responsive to whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge.

50. The computer-readable medium of claim 49 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party engaging in instant communications addressed to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

51. The computer-readable medium of claim 49 wherein the service comprises engaging a intelligent media translator which performs at least one of:

translating audio information from the second party into corresponding textual information to be received by the first party; and

translating textual information from the first party to be translated into corresponding audio information to be received by the second party.

52. The computer-readable medium of claim 49 wherein the service comprises establishing a second communications session in a communications system.

53. The computer-readable medium of claim 49 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the first party and a second party using a communications system.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 53 wherein the communications between the first party and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 53 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 49 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the instant communications client and a second party.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 56 wherein the communications between the instant communications client and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 56 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

59. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement a method of assessing charges for usage of a service providing system, the method comprising:

receiving indication that a first party, via an instant communications client communicating to the service providing system in a first communications session, is requesting that the service providing system perform a service; and

responsive to the indication, determining a usage charge to be assessed for the performing the service.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 59 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party engaging in instant communications addressed to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

61. The computer-readable medium of claim 59 wherein the service comprises engaging a intelligent media translator which performs at least one of:

translating audio information from the second party into corresponding textual information to be received by the first party; and

translating textual information from the first party to be translated into corresponding audio information to be received by the second party.

62. The computer-readable medium of claim 59 wherein the service comprises establishing a second communications session in a communications system.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 59 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the first party and a second party using a communications system.

64. The computer-readable medium of claim 63 wherein the communications between the first party and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

65. The computer-readable medium of claim 63 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

66. The computer-readable medium of claim 59 wherein the service comprises establishing communications between the instant communications client and a second party.

67. The computer-readable medium of claim 66 wherein the communications between the instant communications client and the second party comprises communicating of audio information through a packet data network.

68. The computer-readable medium of claim 66 wherein the second party communicates via a telephony connection.

69. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement a method of controlling usage of a service providing system, comprising:

receiving indication that a first party is attempting to access the service providing system using an instant communications client;

determining a usage charge to be assessed for the first party accessing the communications service;

determining whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge pertaining to the first party accessing the service providing system; and

causing the service providing system to conditionally allow access by the first party responsive to whether payment can be obtained for the usage charge.

70. The computer-readable medium of claim 69 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party addressing instant communications to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

71. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement a method of assessing charges for usage of a service providing system, the method comprising:

receiving indication that a first party is accessing the service providing system using an instant communications client; and

responsive to the indication, determining a usage charge to be assessed for the accessing the communications service.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 71 wherein the receiving indication is responsive to the first party addressing instant communications to a screen name associated with the service providing system.

73. A method for assessing charges for usage of a service providing system, the method comprising:

receiving indication that a first party is accessing the service providing system using an instant communications client;

receiving first information pertaining to an identity of the first party;

receiving second information pertaining to an identity of a messaging service by which the first party is accessing the service providing system;

responsive at least to a combination of the first information and the second information, identifying an account to which charges are to be applied; and

performing at least one of applying the charges to the account and determining whether the account will bear the charges.

74. The method of claim 73 further comprising:

receiving third information indicating an instant communications screen name by which the first party is accessing the service providing system,

wherein the identifying the account is further responsive to the instant communications screen name.