Billing system for communications services involving telephony and instant communications

• US 8,260,967 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2003
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Moore, Richard G., Mumsford, Gregory L., Gunasekar, Duraisamy
• Primary Examiner(s): Barqadle, Yasin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Van Kim T
• Application Number:
  US10/404,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20030193961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,443 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.17, 379/88.18, 379/201.01, 379/209.01, 379/114.01, 379/225.01, 379/115.03, 379/121.01, 379/126, 379/88.13, 379/88.14, 379/88.19, 379/88.21, 379/201.05, 379/265.09, 709/249, 370351-356, 370/401, 370493-495, 704231-235, 704/258, 704/270, 704276-277
• US Class Current: 709/249
• 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 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.

Claims

1. A system for controlling usage of a communications system comprising:

means for 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, wherein the first party requests communication with the second party based on a telephone identifier of the second party, the communication system determining, by a presence identifier, presence of the second party on the instant communications client if the second party is unavailable via a telephone, the activity comprising verifying the presence of the second party;

means for providing an up-to-date indication of the presence of the second party on a continual basis at a user interface to offer alternatives for communication between the first party and the second party by transmitting an inquiry to the first party if the second party is unavailable via a telephone;

means for selecting a language for the activity from a plurality of languages;

means for determining whether a usage charge applies to the activity, the usage charge is based on the selected language;

means for identifying an account to which the usage charge is to be applied;

means for determining whether the account can accommodate the usage charge; and

means for performing the activity responsive to whether the account can accommodate the usage charge,

wherein the activity further comprises conducting an interactive communication session between the first party telephone and the second party via the instant communications client, and invoking an optional feature elected by at least one of the first party or the second party, the feature comprising one of selection of desired speech characteristics in a text-to-speech translator for translation of textual information from the second party into audio information, translating audio information into arrangements of symbols having conventionalized meaning in the context of textual communications between the first party and the second party, notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of an account balance, or notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of applicable charges pertaining to a communications session,

wherein a connection between the first party telephone and the instant communications client is made based on the presence identifier;

means for determining a charge associated with the use of the feature; and

means for notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of the charge associated with the use of the feature.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein an operator receives the requested activity in form of a voice call, and the operator initiates an instant communication session to the second party.

3. A system for controlling usage of a communications system comprising:

means for receiving from the communications 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, wherein the first party requests communication with the second party based on a telephone identifier of the second party, the communications system determining, by a presence identifier, presence of the second party on the instant communications client if the second party is unavailable via a telephone, the activity comprising verifying the presence of the second party;

means for providing an up-to-date indication of the presence of the second party on a continual basis at a user interface to offer alternatives for communication between the first party and the second party by transmitting an inquiry to the first party if the second party is unavailable via a telephone;

means for selecting a language for the activity from a plurality of languages;

means for determining whether a usage charge applies to the activity, the usage charge is based on the selected language;

means for prompting the second party for approval of the activity;

means for identifying an account to which the usage charge is to be applied;

means for determining whether the account can accommodate the usage charge;

means for sending to the communications system indication of whether the activity is authorized responsive to whether the account can accommodate the usage charge,

wherein the activity further comprises conducting an interactive communication session between the first party telephone and the second party via the instant communications client, and invoking an optional feature elected by at least one of the first party or the second party, the feature comprising one of selection of desired speech characteristics in a text-to-speech translator for translation of textual information from the second party into audio information, translating audio information into arrangements of symbols having conventionalized meaning in the context of textual communications between the first party and the second party, notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of an account balance, or notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of applicable charges pertaining to a communications session,

wherein a connection between the first party telephone and the instant communications client is made based on the presence identifier;

means for determining a charge associated with the use of the feature; and

means for notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of the charge associated with the use of the feature.

4. A method of controlling usage of a communications system comprising:

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, wherein the first party requests communication with the second party based on a telephone identifier of the second party, the communications system determining, by a presence identifier, presence of the second party on the instant communications client if the second party is unavailable via a telephone, the activity comprising verifying the presence of the second party;

providing an up-to-date indication of the presence of the second party on a continual basis at a user interface to offer alternatives for communication between the first party and the second party by transmitting an inquiry to the first party if the second party is unavailable via a telephone;

selecting a language for the activity from a plurality of languages;

determining whether a usage charge applies to the activity, the usage charge is based on the selected language;

identifying an account to which the usage charge is to be applied;

determining whether the second party authorizes the activity;

determining whether the account can accommodate the usage charge;

performing the activity responsive to whether the account can accommodate the usage charge and whether the second party authorizes the activity,

wherein the activity further comprises conducting an interactive communication session between the first party telephone and the second party via the instant communications client, and invoking an optional feature elected by at least one of the first party or the second party, the feature comprising one of selection of desired speech characteristics in a text-to-speech translator for translation of textual information from the second party into audio information, translating audio information into arrangements of symbols having conventionalized meaning in the context of textual communications between the first party and the second party, notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of an account balance, or notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of applicable charges pertaining to a communications session,

wherein a connection between the first party telephone and the instant communications client is made based on the presence identifier;

determining a charge associated with the use of the feature; and

notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of the charge associated with the use of the feature.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein an operator receives the requested activity in form of a voice call, and the operator initiates an instant communication session to the second party.

6. A method of controlling usage of a communications system comprising:

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, wherein the first party requests communication with the second party based on a telephone identifier of the second party, the communication system determining, by a presence identifier, presence of the second party on the instant communications client if the second party is unavailable via a telephone, the activity comprising verifying the presence of the second party;

providing an up-to-date indication of the presence of the second party on a continual basis at a user interface to offer alternatives for communication between the first party and the second party by transmitting an inquiry to the first party if the second party is unavailable via a telephone;

selecting a language for the activity from a plurality of languages;

determining whether a usage charge applies to the activity, the usage charge is based on the selected language;

identifying an account to which the usage charge is to be applied;

determining whether the account can accommodate the usage charge;

sending to the communications system indication of whether the activity is authorized responsive to whether the account can accommodate the usage charge,

wherein the activity further comprises conducting an interactive communication session between the first party telephone and the second party via the instant communications client, and invoking an optional feature elected by at least one of the first party or the second party, the feature comprising one of selection of desired speech characteristics in a text-to-speech translator for translation of textual information from the second party into audio information, translating audio information into arrangements of symbols having conventionalized meaning in the context of textual communications between the first party and the second party, notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of an account balance, or notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of applicable charges pertaining to a communications session,

wherein a connection between the first party telephone and the instant communications client is made based on the presence identifier;

determining a charge associated with the use of the feature; and

notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of the charge associated with the use of the feature.

7. A method of assessing charges for usage of a communications system comprising:

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, wherein the first party requests communication with the second party based on a telephone identifier of the second party, the communication system determining, by a presence determining element, presence of the second party on the instant communications client if the second party is unavailable via a telephone, the activity comprising verifying the presence of the second party;

providing an up-to-date indication of the presence of the second party on a continual basis at a user interface to offer alternatives for communication between the first party and the second party by transmitting an inquiry to the first party if the second party is unavailable via a telephone;

selecting a language for the activity from a plurality of languages;

determining a charge to be assessed for the activity of the communications service responsive to the indication, the charge is based on the selected language,

wherein the activity further comprises conducting an interactive communication session between the first party telephone and the second party via the instant communications client, and invoking an optional feature elected by at least one of the first party or the second party, the feature comprising one of selection of desired speech characteristics in a text-to-speech translator for translation of textual information from the second party into audio information, translating audio information into arrangements of symbols having conventionalized meaning in the context of textual communications between the first party and the second party, notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of an account balance, or notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of applicable charges pertaining to a communications session,

wherein a connection between the first party telephone and the instant communications client is made based on the presence determining element;

determining a charge associated with the use of the feature; and

notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of the charge associated with the use of the feature.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the activity further comprises the first party establishing communications with the communications system by the first party.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the charge is determined based upon the duration of the communications session between the first party and the second party.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the charge is determined based upon a quantity of data transported in the communications system in the course of the communications session between the first party and the second party.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the activity further comprising using a translator to convert textual input from the second party into audio information for reception by the first party.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the charge is determined based upon selection of a specific spoken language according to which the translator converts audio information into text.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein the activity further comprises using a translator to convert audio information from the first party into textual information for transmitting to the instant communications client used by the second party.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the charge is determined based upon selection of a specific written language according to which the translator converts textual information into audio information.

15. The method of claim 7 wherein the parties are associated with identifiers in the communications system and wherein the activity further comprises determining that a first identifier and a second identifier are both associated with a common party.

16. The method of claim 7 wherein the activity further comprises accessing profile data in the communications system pertaining to at least one of the first party or the second party.

17. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

determining an account to which the charge is to be applied; and

applying the charge to the account.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the account comprises at least one of a calling card account, a credit card account, a telephone subscriber account, an account with a business, or an account with a banking institution.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein information specifying the account is provided by the first party.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein information specifying the account is provided by the second party.

21. The method of claim 17 further comprising reporting an amount of the usage charge to at least one of the first party or the second party.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

receiving indication from at least one of the first party or the second party that the usage charge is acceptable; and

performing the activity responsive to whether the usage charge is acceptable.

23. A system for assessing charges for usage of a communications system comprising:

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, wherein the first party requests communication with the second party based on a telephone identifier of the second party, the communication system determining, by a presence identifier, presence of the second party on the instant communications client if the second party is unavailable via a telephone, the activity comprising verifying the presence of the second party;

means for providing an up-to-date indication of the presence of the second party on a continual basis at a user interface to offer alternatives for communication between the first party and the second party by transmitting an inquiry to the first party if the second party is unavailable via a telephone;

means for selecting a language for the activity from a plurality of languages;

means for determining a charge to be assessed for the activity of the communications service responsive to the indication, the charge is based on the selected language,

wherein the activity further comprises conducting an interactive communication session between the first party telephone and the second party via the instant communications client, and invoking an optional feature elected by at least one of the first party or the second party, the feature comprising one of selection of desired speech characteristics in a text-to-speech translator for translation of textual information from the second party into audio information, translating audio information into arrangements of symbols having conventionalized meaning in the context of textual communications between the first party and the second party, notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of an account balance, or notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of applicable charges pertaining to a communications session,

wherein a connection between the first party telephone and the instant communications client is made based on the presence identifier;

means for determining a charge associated with the use of the feature; and

means for notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of the charge associated with the use of the feature.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the activity further comprises invoking an optional feature elected by at least one of the first party or the second party and the system further comprises:

means for determining a charge associated with the use of the feature; and

means for notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of the charge associated with the use of the feature.

25. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

means for determining an account to which the charge is to be applied; and

means for applying the charge to the account.

26. The system of claim 25 further comprising:

means for reporting the usage charge to at least one of the first party or the second party.

27. The system of claim 26 further comprising:

means for receiving indication from at least one of the first party or the second party that the usage charge is acceptable; and

means for performing the activity responsive to whether the usage charge is acceptable.

28. A computer-readable storage 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:

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, wherein the first party requests communication with the second party based on a telephone identifier of the second party, the communication system determining, by a presence identifier, presence of the second party on the instant communications client if the second party is unavailable via a telephone, the activity comprising verifying the presence of the second party;

providing an up-to-date indication of the presence of the second party on a continual basis at a user interface to offer alternatives for communication between the first party and the second party by transmitting an inquiry to the first party if the second party is unavailable via a telephone;

selecting a language for the activity from a plurality of languages;

determining a charge to be assessed for the activity of the communications service responsive to the indication, the charge is based on the selected language,

wherein the activity further comprises conducting an interactive communication session between the first party telephone and the second party via the instant communications client, and invoking an optional feature elected by at least one of the first party or the second party, the feature comprising one of selection of desired speech characteristics in a text-to-speech translator for translation of textual information from the second party into audio information, translating audio information into arrangements of symbols having conventionalized meaning in the context of textual communications between the first party and the second party, notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of an account balance, or notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of applicable charges pertaining to a communications session,

wherein a connection between the first party telephone and the instant communications client is made based on the presence identifier;

determining a charge associated with the use of the feature; and

notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of the charge associated with the use of the feature.

29. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 28 wherein the activity further comprises invoking an optional feature elected by at least one of the first party or the second party and the method further comprises:

determining a charge associated with the use of the feature; and

notifying at least one of the first party or the second party of the charge associated with the use of the feature.

30. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 28 wherein the method further comprises:

determining an account to which the charge is to be applied; and

applying the charge to the account.

31. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 30 wherein the method further comprises:

reporting an amount of the usage charge to at least one of the first party or the second party.

32. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 31 wherein the method further comprises:

receiving indication from at least one of the first party or the second party that the usage charge is acceptable; and

performing the activity responsive to whether the usage charge is acceptable.