Billing system for communications services involving telephony and instant communications
First Claim
Patent Images
2. A system for controlling usage of a communications system comprising:
- means for receiving from the communication system indication that an activity has been requested of the communications system relating to communication between a first party using a telephone and a second party using an instant communications client; and
means for determining whether a usage charge applies to the activity;
means for identifying an account to which the usage charge is to be applied; and
means for determining whether the account can accommodate the usage charge; and
means for sending to the communications system indication of whether the activity is authorized responsive to whether the account can accommodate the usage charge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods and program products are disclosed for determining billable usage of a communications system where services are provided involving telephony and instant communications. In some exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides for authorizing the fulfillment of service requests based upon information pertaining to a billable account.
180 Citations
38 Claims
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2. A system for controlling usage of a communications system comprising:
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means for receiving from the communication system indication that an activity has been requested of the communications system relating to communication between a first party using a telephone and a second party using an instant communications client; and
means for determining whether a usage charge applies to the activity;
means for identifying an account to which the usage charge is to be applied; and
means for determining whether the account can accommodate the usage charge; and
means for sending to the communications system indication of whether the activity is authorized responsive to whether the account can accommodate the usage charge.
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3. A method of controlling usage of a communications system comprising:
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determining that an activity has been requested of the communications system relating to communication between a first party using a telephone and a second party using an instant communications client; and
determining whether a usage charge applies to the activity;
identifying an account to which the usage charge is to be applied;
determining whether the account can accommodate the usage charge; and
performing the activity responsive to whether the account can accommodate the usage charge.
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4. A method of controlling usage of a communications system comprising:
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receiving from the communication system indication that an activity has been requested of the communications system relating to communication between a first party using a telephone and a second party using an instant communications client; and
determining whether a usage charge applies to the activity;
identifying an account to which the usage charge is to be applied; and
determining whether the account can accommodate the usage charge; and
sending to the communications system indication of whether the activity is authorized responsive to whether the account can accommodate the usage charge.
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5. A method of assessing charges for usage of a communications system comprising:
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receiving indication of activity of the communications system relating to communication between a first party via a telephony connection and a second party via an instant communications client; and
determining a charge to be assessed for the activity of the communications service responsive to the indication. - View Dependent Claims (1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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25-1. The method of claim 23 wherein information specifying the account is provided by the first party.
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29. A system for assessing charges for usage of a communications system comprising:
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means for receiving indication of activity of the communications system relating to communication between a first party via a telephony connection and a second party via an instant communications client; and
means for determining a charge to be assessed for the activity of the communications service responsive to the indication. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes a processor to perform a method of assessing charges for usage of a communications system comprising:
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receiving indication of activity of the communications system relating to communication between a first party via a telephony connection and a second party via an instant communications client; and
determining a charge to be assessed for the activity of the communications service responsive to the indication. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification