Systems and methods for interfacing with a billing and account management unit

• US 8,417,632 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2002
• Issued: 04/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Robohm, Kurt W., Frye, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James
• Assistant Examiner(s): GREENE, DANIEL LAWSON
• Application Number:
  US10/097,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20020138828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,043 Days
• Field of Search: 705/40
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• 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 12/1446 inter-operator billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/125 by balancing the load, e.g. traffic engineering
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2408 for supporting different services, e.g. a differentiated services [DiffServ] type of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2433 Allocation of priorities to traffic types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2441 relying on flow classification, e.g. using integrated services [IntServ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4523 using lightweight directory access protocol [LDAP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4535 using an address exchange platform which sets up a session between two nodes, e.g. rendezvous servers, session initiation protocols [SIP] registrars or H.323 gatekeepers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• 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 65/1096 Supplementary features, e.g. call forwarding or call holding systems providing special services or facilities to telephony subscribers H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 : for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 : at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 : specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 : Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 : Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 : specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 : Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/085 : specially adapted for interworking of IP-based networks with other networks
• 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 15/43 : Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/44 : Augmented, consolidated or itemized billing statement or bill presentation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/47 : Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 : Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 : for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/52 : for operator independent billing system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/53 : using mediation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 : for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 : for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 : based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/63 : based on the content carried by the session initiation protocol [SIP] messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 : Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8292 : Charging for signaling or unsuccessful connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0104 : Augmented, consolidated or itemised billing statement, e.g. additional billing information, bill presentation, layout, format, e-mail, fax, printout, itemised bill per service or per account, cumulative billing, consolidated billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 : Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 : Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0168 : On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0172 : Mediation, i.e. device or program to reformat CDRS from one or more switches in order to adapt to one or more billing programs formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0176 : Billing arrangements using internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0188 : Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 : VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2046 : Hybrid network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 : Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• 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 2215/46 : Connection to several service providers
• 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 3/2218 : Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A system updates a billing unit. The system receives at least one modification to an Internet Protocol (IP) communications network account from a user and modifies a first record in a database based on the received at least one modification. The system transmits the at least one modification from the database to the billing unit and updates a second record, corresponding to the first record, in the billing unit based on the at least one modification so as to make the updated second record available in substantially real time.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing, via a server, a management interface to a user, the management interface including;

an order management option,

a service management option, a billing management option, and

a customer profile option,

the order management option allowing the user to create, modify, cancel, and view orders,

the service management option allowing the user to manage services and provision Internet Protocol (IP) communication services,

the billing management option allowing the user to view current charges and past invoices for a date range entered by the user, and

the customer profile option allowing the user to create an account and a sub-account;

receiving, via the server, at least one modification to an IP communications network account from the user via one of the order management option, the service management option, the billing option, or the customer profile option;

modifying, via the server, a first record in a database based on the received at least one modification;

transmitting, via the server, the at least one modification from the database to a billing unit; and

updating and storing, via the server, a second record, corresponding to the first record, in the billing unit based on the at least one modification, the updated second record being available in real time.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating, via the server, at least one bill using the updated second record.

3. The method of claim 1 where the at least one modification includes creating a new account.

4. The method of claim 1 where the at least one modification includes creating a new sub-account.

5. The method of claim 1 where the at least one modification includes one of adding, deleting, or updating an order for an IP communications network service to the IP communications network account.

6. The method of claim 5 where the IP communications network service includes voice over IP service.

7. The method of claim 1 where the at least one modification includes updating one or more of private call routing, prefix plan management, location management, call blocking management, feature blocking management, gateway management, or dial plan management.

8. The method of claim 1 where the database is an operational data store.

9. The method of claim 1 where the receiving includes:

receiving the at least one modification via a web-based interface.

10. A system comprising:

a network interface including;

an order management option,

a service management option,

a billing management option, and

a customer profile option,

the order management option allowing a user to create, modify, cancel, and view orders,

the service management option allowing the user to manage services and provision Internet Protocol (IP) communication services,

the billing management option allowing the user to view charges and past invoices for a date range entered by the user, and

the customer profile option allowing the user to create an account and a sub-account,

the network interface to;

receive, via one of the order management option, the service management option, the billing management option, or the customer profile option, at least one modification to an IP communications network account from the user via a data network, and

forward the at least one modification;

an operational data store to;

receive the at least one modification from the network interface,

store the at least one modification, and

forward the at least one modification; and

a billing and account management unit, associated with the IP communications network account, and to;

receive the at least one modification from the operational data store,

store the at least one modification, the at least one modification being available in real time, and

perform at least one of account management or billing based on the at least one modification.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising:

a process management system to;

route the at least one modification from the network interface to the operational data store, and

route the at least one modification from the operational data store to the billing and account management unit.

12. The system of claim 10 where the data network includes an Internet.

13. The system of claim 12 where the network interface includes a web-based interface.

14. The system of claim 10 where the at least one modification includes information associated with creating a new account.

15. The system of claim 10 where the at least one modification includes information associated with creating a new sub-account.

16. The system of claim 10 where the at least one modification includes one of adding, deleting, or updating an order for an IP communications network service to the IP communications network account.

17. The system of claim 16 where the IP communications network service includes voice over IP service.

18. The system of claim 10 where the at least one modification includes information associated with updating one or more of private call routing, prefix plan management, location management, call blocking management, feature blocking management, gateway management, or dial plan management services.

19. The system of claim 10 where the billing and account management unit is configured to allow the user to view current and past invoices related to the IP communications network account.

20. A method comprising:

providing, via a server, a web-based interface to a user, the web-based interface including;

an order management option,

a service management option,

a billing management option, and

a customer profile option,

the order management option allowing the user to create, modify, cancel, and view orders,

the service management option allowing the user to manage services and provision Internet Protocol (IP) communication services,

the billing management option allowing the user to view charges and past invoices for a date range entered by the user, and

the customer profile option allowing the user to create an account and a sub-account;

receiving, via the server and via one of the order management option, the service management option, the billing option, or the customer profile option, a modification to the at least one account from the user;

updating, via the server, a first record associated with the at least one account in an operational data store based on the received modification;

transferring, via the server, the modification from the operational data store to an account management and billing unit associated with the IP communications network;

modifying, via the server, a second record associated with the at least one account at the account management and billing unit, the modification to the second record being implemented in real time; and

performing, via the server, one of an account management function or a billing function using the modified second record.

21. The method of claim 20 where the modification includes information associated with creating a master account.

22. The method of claim 20 where the modification includes information associated with creating the sub-account.

23. The method of claim 20 where the modification includes one of adding, deleting, or updating an order for an IP communications network service to the at least one account.

24. The method of claim 23 where the IP communications network service includes voice over IP service.

25. The method of claim 20 where the modification includes information associated with updating one or more of private call routing, prefix plan management, location management, call blocking management, feature blocking management, gateway management, or dial plan management.

26. A system for updating a billing unit, comprising:

means for providing a management interface to a user, the management interface including;

an order management option,

a service management option,

a billing management option, and

a customer profile option,

the order management option allowing the user to create, modify, cancel, and view orders,

the service management option allowing the user to manage services and provision Internet Protocol (IP) communication services,

the billing management option allowing the user to view charges and past invoices for a date range entered by the user, and

the customer profile option allowing the user to create an account and a sub-account;

means for receiving at least one modification to a communications network account from a user via one of the order management option, the service management option, the billing option, or the customer profile option;

means for modifying a first record in a database based on the received at least one modification;

means for transmitting the at least one modification from the database to the billing unit; and

means for updating a second record, corresponding to the first record, in the billing unit based on the at least one modification, the updated second record being available in real time.

27. The system of claim 26 further comprising:

means for generating at least one bill using the updated second record.

28. The system of claim 26 where the at least one modification includes one of adding, deleting, or updating an order for a communications network service to the communications network account.

29. The system of claim 26 where the database includes an operational data store.

30. The system of claim 26 further comprising:

means for providing a current invoice to the user based on the at least one modification.