Call charge control and notification
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In a telecommunications network, a method of managing call charges comprising the steps of:
- specifying a tentative limit for charges to be incurred on a telecommunications call between a calling party and a called party, comprising the steps of testing if said telecommunications call is a collect call, and if the result of said testing is that said telecommunications call is a collect call, obtaining said tentative limit from said called party, and if the result of said testing is that said telecommunications call is not a collect call, obtaining said tentative limit from said calling party;
specifying a destination for said call;
establishing said call;
maintaining in said network a running indication of accumulated telecommunications charges for said call.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A limit is placed on charges to be incurred on a telecommunications call. Normally, this limit is specified by the caller. The telecommunications network maintains a running tally of the charges being incurred and notifies the caller when the charges approach the limit. At that time, the caller may specify a new limit, simply disconnect, or be automatically disconnected when the limit is reached. Advantageously, callers can limit the charges on a particular call without having to be aware of the exact charging parameters for that call.
176 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a telecommunications network, a method of managing call charges comprising the steps of:
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specifying a tentative limit for charges to be incurred on a telecommunications call between a calling party and a called party, comprising the steps of testing if said telecommunications call is a collect call, and if the result of said testing is that said telecommunications call is a collect call, obtaining said tentative limit from said called party, and if the result of said testing is that said telecommunications call is not a collect call, obtaining said tentative limit from said calling party; specifying a destination for said call; establishing said call; maintaining in said network a running indication of accumulated telecommunications charges for said call. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In a telecommunications network, including a switching system hosting a plurality of lines connected to a plurality of telephones, a method of managing call charges comprising the steps of:
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specifying a subscriber designated charge increment at which said subscriber is to be notified of charges; storing said designated charge increment; accessing said designated charge increment by the switching system when said subscriber initiates a call; obtaining billing information at the switching system for said call; monitoring the call and maintaining accumulated charges for the call in accordance with said billing information; and notifying said subscriber every time said accumulated charges exceed said designated charge increment. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. In a telecommunications network having a switching system hosting a plurality of lines connected to a plurality of telephones, a method of managing call charges comprising the steps of:
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specifying desired charge limits for multiple calls per unit time for a customer; storing said desired charge limits per unit time for said customer; accessing said desired charge limits per unit time by the switching system upon a request by said customer; obtaining billing information at the switching system when said customer initiates a call and makes said request; monitoring the call and maintaining accumulated charges for the call; and notifying the customer when the accumulated charges reach said desired charge limits. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. In a telecommunications network having a switching system hosting a plurality of lines connected to a plurality of telephones, a method of managing call charges comprising the steps of:
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specifying a first desired charge limit for a first class of call for a customer; specifying a second desired charge limit for a second class of call for said customer, said second desired charge limit being distinct from said first desired charge limit; storing said first and second desired charge limits for said customer; receiving a request by said customer for service and determining whether the actual class of call requested is for said first class of call or said second class of call; accessing either said first or second charge limits by the switching system based on the determination of the actual class of call; obtaining billing information at the switching system; monitoring the call and maintaining accumulated charges for the call; and notifying the customer when the accumulated charges reach said desired charge limit for the actual class of call.
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Specification