Lucent Technologies Inc.

Alcatel Lucent

Alcatel-lucent USA Inc.

Cynthia K Florkey

Ruth S Gayde

Victoria Marie Halsell

Karla Rae Hunter

Mrinal Milind Joglekar

Michael Dwayne Chambers

John Richard Rosenberg

Ronald Bruce Martin

Randall Joe Wilson

E-Ling Lou

Patrick Jay Walsh

Frank J Dobner

A method of load-based billing for customers in a communication network, wherein each customer has a calling plan. The method comprises monitoring utilization of the network in real-time via a switching center in the network; detecting at the switching center a Usage Level Event based upon the occurrence of a predetermined event trigger; informing a usage level application of the Usage Level Event; recording at the usage level application the Usage Level Event; and determining at the usage level application whether action should be taken based upon the Usage Level Event. When it is determined that action should be taken, the usage level application reports the Usage Level Event to a set of network elements via the usage level application and the switching center, where the set of network elements includes a customer billing platform and a broadcast message application. Further, a set of customers is notified of a change in pricing for calls based upon the Usage Level Event through the broadcast message application and a messaging center.

Method and apparatus for load-based billing in communication networks

A communication network is disclosed that uses voice authentication to provide call control. The communication network includes a call control function, a voice collection system, a voice authentication system, and a permission system. The voice collection system collects voice samples of a first party during the call to a second party, and transmits the collected voice samples to the voice authentication system. The voice authentication system compares the collected voice samples to stored voice samples to determine the identity of the first party. The permission system determines whether the first party is authorized for the call based on the identity of the first party. The permission system generates results based on the determination and transmits the results to the call control function. The call control function then processes the results, and interrupts the call if the first party is not authorized.

Voice authentication for call control

A wireless network and method are disclosed that provide temporary data service to a party. For the invention, a temporary data service system receives a request from a first party to establish temporary data service for a second party. The temporary data service system then configures the wireless network to establish temporary data service for the second party, such as by setting up a temporary subscriber profile or temporary account for the second party in the wireless network. A notification system then generates a notification message indicating that the temporary data service has been established for the second party, and transmits the notification message to the second party. The second party may use the temporary data service to access some type of data message or data file, such as a picture message sent by the first party.

Temporary data service in wireless networks

A communication network and method are disclosed that block calls from a calling party based on the network access type of a called party. The communication network of the invention includes a permission system, an access system, and a call control system. Based on a call from a calling party to a called party, the permission system identifies permissions associated with the calling party. The access system identifies a network access type for the called party, such as wireless, circuit-based, etc. The call control element determines if the network access type for the called party is permitted by the calling party based on the permissions associated with the calling party. If the network access type for the called party is not permitted by the calling party, then the call control system releases the call.

Call blocking based on the network access type for the called party

Systems are presented in which a network database is populated and updated with delay values representing measured network delays in routing calls between call control entities of a communications network. The network entities can query the database to make informed decisions regarding call routing based on the delay values, and the database entries are provided by the network elements, which measure actual or pseudo calls routed in the network.

Silent probe for network delay reporting

An apparatus in one example comprises a gateway component that provides an identifier of a service provider to a sender of a message through employment of a user address associated with the recipient of the message.

Providing to sender of message an identifier of service provider associated with recipient of the message

A first communication device of an apparatus in one example shares a billing relationship with a second communication. The second communication device comprises a primary communication device, where a user associated with the second communication device comprises a primary user associated with the primary communication device. The primary user associated with the primary communication device sets one or more restrictions for the first communication device. The first communication device employs one or more of the one or more restrictions to make a determination of allowability of one or more communication sessions.

Communication device employment of one or more restrictions to make determination of allowability of one or more communication sessions

The present invention provides an apparatus, method and article for porting a directory number for a duration of time. A portability component automatically updates one or more provisioning components to port the directory number for the duration of time. The value for the duration of time may be one or more of a period of time, a date in the future, or a permanent status. Upon the expiration of the duration of time, the portability component initiates one or more notifications of the expiration of the duration of time to a management component and/or the provisioning components to remove and/or alter the port of the directory number.

Porting a directory number for a duration of time

Systems and methods are described for multiple leg call processing, in which the timing of a plurality of outgoing call legs is determined according to a plurality of parameters in order to achieve near simultaneous notification of a group of member directory numbers. The parameters can include static information obtained from a network database such as end user device technology type, call forwarding disposition, answering machine or voicemail service, geographic distance to the member directory number, and/or signaling type and carrier or other local information. Actual setup times may be measured for use in determining the timing of the outgoing call leg processing, which may be used alone or in combination with the local and static information parameters to determine the outgoing call schedule for routing the call to multiple member directory numbers.

Dynamic ring start delay based on multiple factors

An application server component of an apparatus in one example receives an indication of one or more communication devices that are to receive one or more invitations to join a communication session. The application server component notifies the one or more communication devices of the one or more invitations to join the communication session. Upon acceptance of one or more of the one or more invitations by one or more of the one or more communication devices, the application server component connects the one or more of the one or more communication devices to the communication session.

Application server component that notifies one or more communication devices of one or more invitations to join communication session

Information that is based on a database portion of a first user equipment component is translated from a first database format to a second database format for a download of the information from a network storage component to a second user equipment component. The first database format is understood by the first user equipment component. The second database format is understood by the second user equipment component. The first database format is not understood by the second user equipment component.

Translation of information between database formats understood by different user equipment components for download of the information from network storage component

A telephone subscriber is provided with call features associated with his home telephone line when the subscriber is at a remote (different) telephone line. Aspects include: registration of the subscriber at a remote telephone line with association of the subscriber's normal call feature set with the remote line; processing of incoming calls for the subscriber so that the calls reach the subscriber at the remote line with the subscriber's call feature set being available to handle processing of the incoming call; processing of outgoing calls from the subscriber at the remote line so that the calls are processed with the subscriber's call feature set.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Cynthia K Florkey