Network session management

• US 6,137,869 A
• Filed: 09/16/1997
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Voit, Eric A., Young, David E., Gadre, Jayant G., Goodman, William D., Balkovich, Edward E., White, Patrick E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Loomis, Paul
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford N
• Application Number:
  US08/931,159
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 379/114, 379/144, 379/112, 379/900, 379/901, 379/903, 379/908, 379/91.01, 379/90.01, 379/93.09, 379/100.04, 379/100.05, 379/100.06, 379/164, 379/179 , 379/252, 379/373, 380/23, 395/200.15, 395/200.76, 370/352, 370/353, 370/389, 370/401, 370/485, 370/238
• US Class Current: 379/114.01
• 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 12/141 Indication of costs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1414 in real-time
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1421 Indication of expected costs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1439 time-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1446 inter-operator billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1453 Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1457 using an account
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1464 using a card, such as credit card, prepay card or SIM
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1482 involving use of telephony infrastructure for billing for the transport of data, e.g. call detail record [CDR] or intelligent network infrastructure
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1485 Tariff-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/102 applying security measure for e-commerce data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/503 using an authentication, authorisation and accounting [AAA] protocol, e.g. remote authentication dial-in user service [RADIUS] or Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 : Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 : for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/014 : Limit per user or user related number
• 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 2215/0176 : Billing arrangements using internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/018 : On-line real-time billing, able to see billing information while in communication, e.g. via the internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2046 : Hybrid network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 : Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1285 : Details of finding and selecting a gateway for a particular call
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 : Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/90 : Internet, e.g. Internet phone, webphone, internet-based telephony

Abstract

An internetwork (such as the Internet) telephony system and method incorporating architecture and methodology which facilitates a high degree of scalability. The scalability provides improvement dealing with usage recording, usage pricing, billing account management, and fraud control. The scalability is achieved primarily by bundling of usage recording, pricing, authorization and billing practices in one logical database object which may be physically distributed. A predefined set of network elements are provided access to the database object to obtain authorization for a call along with limitations on the maximum cost or duration of the call for the particular account involved. The database object records usage statistics relating to the completed call, including pricing, and this data is available for virtually immediate billing. The database object provides to customers on a virtual real time basis the customer'"'"'s usage statistics, including statistics for a call in progress. The operation proceeds in the following manner. Each Internet telephone service subscriber will have at least one billing and authorization account maintained in a database on the Internet. During set-up of a call, the hop-off gateway will obtain identification and password information from the caller. The gateway then communicates with the database to determine if the call is authorized and to negotiate the overall billing algorithm. When the call if finished, the gateway will report usage data to the database for billing purposes.

Claims

1. In a hybrid communication network comprising a circuit switched network and a packet switched network connectable to terminals for communication therebetween, a method of communication session management comprising the steps of:

a) inputting from a calling one of said terminals an address of a called one of said terminals to initiate a communication session therebetween;

b) authenticating, account validating, pricing, and authorizing a communication session between said calling and called terminals from a unitary logical object connected to the packet switched network, and signaling said authorization to a session control object connected to said circuit switched and packet switched networks;

c) initiating said authorized communication session via said session control object;

d) maintaining by said unitary logical object of a record of the initiation, progress, pricing and termination of said communication session on a substantially real time basis; and

e) determining the address of a lowest cost gateway between said switched network and said packet switched network prior to initiating said connection.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said unitary logical object is distributed and comprises multiple instances thereof.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said instances of said unitary logical object are coded to at least a portion of the address of the calling terminal.

4. A method according to claim 1 including the step of recording from said session control object of a record of the initiation and termination of said communication session.

5. A method according to claim 1 including the step of signaling pricing of the terminal to terminal communication session to the calling terminal prior to establishing said communication session.

6. A method according to claim 5 including the step of signaling the price of the terminal to terminal communication session to the calling terminal at the termination of said communication session.

7. A method according to claim 6 including the step of signaling the current cost of the terminal to terminal communication session to the calling terminal on a substantially real time basis during said communication session.

8. A method according to claim 1 including the step of recording the billing data upon the termination of the communication session.

9. A method according to claim 1 where said circuit switched network comprises a telecommunication network.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said packet switched network comprises the Internet.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein one of said terminals is a computer and one of said terminals is a telephone.

12. A method according to claim 1 including the step of debiting an account of the calling terminal upon termination of the session.

15. A method according to claim 1 including the step of maintaining by said session control object of a record of the initiation, progress, pricing and termination of said communication session on a substantially real time basis.

16. A method according to claim 1 wherein said session control object comprises a gateway between said switched network and said packet switched network.

13. In a hybrid communication network comprising a circuit switched network and a packet switched network connectable to terminals for communication therebetween, a method of communication session management comprising the steps of:

a) inputting from a calling one of said terminals an address of a called one of said terminals to initiate a communication session therebetween;

b) authenticating, account validating, pricing, and authorizing a communication session between said calling and called terminals from a unitary logical object connected to the packet switched network, and signaling said authorization to a session control object connected to said circuit switched and packet switched networks;

c) initiating said authorized communication session via said session control object;

d) maintaining by said unitary logical object of a record of the initiation, progress, pricing and termination of said communication session on a substantially real time basis; and

e) determining prior to authorizing said session that no existing session exists in said hybrid communication network which is billable to an account of said calling terminal.

14. A method according to claim 13 including the steps of identifying a pre-existing session using the address of the calling terminal, verifying the ability of the billable account of the calling terminal to have a value sufficient to cover said pre-existing session and the session being requested by the calling station and authorizing the requested session.

17. In an internetwork comprising a switched network and a packet switched network connectable to a user call control object and a service user object for establishing a signaling path therebetween through said internetwork, said internetwork including multiple addressable gateways between said switched network and said packet switched network, said internetwork also including a directory object, an authorization and usage recording object, and an internetwork call control object, a method of establishing said signaling path including the steps of:

a) invoking said directory object from said user call control object and providing thereto the address of said service user object with which it is desired to establish a signaling path and requesting the address of one of said gateways;

b) based at least partially on the address of said service user object returning to said user call control object the address of a gateway;

c) invoking from said user call control object said internetwork call control object and transmitting to said internetwork call control object the address of the service user object with whom it is desired to establish a signaling path and an account number and identification;

d) invoking from said internetwork call control object said authorization and usage recording object and requesting authorization for establishment of said signaling path;

e) transmitting an authorization from said authorization and usage recording object to said internetwork call control object;

f) establishing from said internetwork call control object a signaling path through said switched network and signaling said service user object to establish a connection therewith;

g) upon establishing a connection with said service user object notifying said user call control object of said establishment;

h) responding to the packet switched network from said user call control object, and

i) commencing signaling over said signaling path through said switched network and said packet switched network.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein said switched network comprises a telecommunication network and said packet switched network comprises the Internet.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein said user call control object is a computer capable of transmitting and receiving voice signals.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein said service user object is a telephone terminal and said signaling between said computer and said telephone terminal is voice signaling.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein said authorization and usage control object is a unitary logical object which is physically distributed.

22. A method according to claim 20 wherein said authorization and usage control object determines the usage available to an account of the calling computer user control object and authorizes a call to an extent governed by said determined available usage.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein said authorization and usage control object decrements said account by the usage expended during the authorized call.

24. A method according to claim 20 wherein said authorization and usage control object determines prior to authorization of a call for an account of a calling party whether there is an existing call chargeable to the same account.

25. A method according to claim 20 wherein said authorization for the call is based on plural criteria including validation of customer identification inputted by the computer user control object and the value content of an account corresponding to said customer identification of said computer user control object.

26. A method according to claim 20 wherein said circuit switched network call control object signals to said computer call control object the status of the telephone service user object including a busy state and a ringing state.

27. A method according to claim 20 wherein said circuit switched network call control object generates a usage record for a call and transmits said record to said authorization and usage recording object.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein said authorization and usage recording object decrements from an account record which it maintains for said computer user call control object a value corresponding to said usage record.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said authorization and usage recording object prices said value.

30. A hybrid communication system comprising a switched network and a packet switched internetwork connectable to a computer user control object and a telephone service user object for communication therebetween, said switched network and said packet switched internetwork being connected via an internetwork telephony call control object including an internetwork telephony gateway, said packet switched internetwork being connected to an authorization and usage control object, wherein a user of said system may initiate a call from said computer user call control object to said telephone service user object by inputting to said switched network the packet switched internetwork address of said internetwork telephony gateway, and a number for said telephone service user object, invoking said authorization and usage control object via said internetwork telephony call control object to receive authorization for the call, whereupon said internetwork telephony call control object establishes a connection to said telephone service user object;

wherein said authorization and usage control object determines prior to authorization of a call for an account of a calling party whether there is an existing call chargeable to the same account.

31. A communication system according to claim 30 wherein said internetwork telephony call control object generates a usage record for a call and transmits said record to said authorization and usage recording object.

32. A communication system according to claim 31 wherein said authorization and usage recording object decrements from an account record which it maintains for said computer user call control object a value corresponding to said usage record.

33. A communication system according to claim 30 wherein said authorization and usage control object is a unitary logical object which is physically distributed.

34. A communication system according to claim 30 wherein said authorization and usage control object determines the usage available to an account of the calling computer user control object and authorizes a call to an extent governed by said determined available usage.

35. A communication system according to claim 34 wherein said authorization and usage control object decrements said account by the usage expended during the authorized call.

36. A communication system according to claim 30 wherein said authorization for the call is based on plural criteria including validation of the personal identification inputted by the computer user control object and the value content of an account corresponding to said personal identification of said computer user control object.

37. A hybrid communication system comprising a switched network and a packet switched internetwork connectable to a computer user control object and a telephone service user object for communication therebetween, said switched network and said packet switched internetwork being connected via an internetwork telephony call control object including an internetwork telephony gateway, said packet switched internetwork being connected to an authorization and usage control object, wherein a user of said system may initiate a call from said computer user call control object to said telephone service user object by inputting to said switched network the packet switched internetwork address of said internetwork telephony gateway, and a number for said telephone service user object, invoking said authorization and usage control object via said internetwork telephony call control object to receive authorization for the call, whereupon said internetwork telephony call control object establishes a connection to said telephone service user object,

wherein said switched network includes a call control object, which call control object transmits signals to said internetwork telephony call control object the status of the telephone service user object, including a busy state and a ringing state.

38. A method of providing telephone service across a hybrid combination of a switched telephone network and the Internet comprising the steps of:

a) providing a terminal to Internet gateway address directory on the Internet;

b) establishing for each Internet telephone subscriber at least one billing and authorization account maintained in at least one account database;

c) during call set-up obtaining from a calling subscriber at a first Internet gateway to which the subscriber connects the address of a called terminal and identification and password information;

d) obtaining from said directory the address of a second gateway from the Internet for said called terminal;

e) connecting from said first gateway to said second gateway and obtaining from said account database authorization for said call; and

f) establishing said call from said first gateway to said second gateway to said called terminal.

39. A method according to claim 38 wherein said account database is a unitary logical database having distributed instances on the Internet.

40. A method according to claim 39 including the steps of maintaining in said account of said subscriber an account balance and upon termination of said call debiting said account balance with the cost of said call.

41. A method according to claim 38 including the step of obtaining from said account database pricing for said call.

42. A method according to claim 41 including the step of communicating said pricing to said subscriber prior to establishing said call.

43. In a hybrid communication network comprising a switched network and a packet switched network connectable to terminals for communication therebetween, at least a plurality of said terminals having accounts debitable for use of said hybrid communication network, a method of session management comprising the steps of:

a) inputting from a calling one of said terminals having at least one such account an address of a called one of said terminals and identification of one of said accounts to be debited to initiate a communication session;

b) authenticating, validating the identified account, pricing, and authorizing a communication session between said calling and called terminals from an instance of a divided unitary logical object, said instance being identified by the identified account, said unified logical object being connected to the packet switched network;

c) signaling said authorization to a session control object connected to said circuit switched and packet switched networks;

d) initiating said authorized communication session via said session control object;

e) maintaining by said unitary logical object of a record of the initiation, progress, pricing and termination of said communication session on a substantially real time basis;

f) reserving a portion of the amount in the identified account prior to initiating said communication session; and

g) releasing said reserved amount upon debiting the identified account of the calling terminal upon termination of the session.

44. A method according to claim 43 including the step of debiting the identified account of the calling terminal upon termination of the session.

45. A method according to claim 44 wherein the amount of said reserved portion of the amount in said identified account is related to said pricing.