Abstract:
IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing a call response service for businesses. Businesses that subscribe to the call response service may implement a call response system that is operable to provide multimedia responses. When the IMS network receives call signaling for a call to the business, the IMS network determines whether the calling party device supports multimedia responses. The IMS network then instructs or informs the call response system to provide the proper type of response (multimedia or voice) to the calling party device based on the determination of whether or not the calling party device supports multimedia responses.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an enhanced method and apparatus for providing notification to a telecommunications customer using prepaid service that his/her prepaid balance is below a pre-specif ied threshold. The number of notifications is limited to a specified number within a specified interval. Advantageously, the customer is spared the nuisance of receiving multiple notifications when he/she is already aware of the problem.
Abstract:
Communication networks and associated methods and systems are disclosed that provide duration alerting for communication sessions to subscribers. A communication network (100) of the invention comprises a charging system (108) and a network management system (112). The charging system (108) receives charging information from at least one network node (101-105) serving a session for a subscriber (116). The charging system (108) monitors a duration of the session based on the charging information, and processes filter criteria and the duration of the session to determine whether to provide duration alerting for the session. If the charging system (108) determines that duration alerting is proper based on the filter criteria, then the charging system (108) transmits duration alerting information to the network management system (112). The network management system (112) receives the duration alerting information, and transmits a duration alerting message to the subscriber (116).
Abstract:
Communication networks (300) and methods are disclosed that provide call forwarding between different types of wireless networks. If a wireless device (316) is being served by a first wireless network (310) and a call is initiated in a second wireless network (320), then a common or shared subscriber server (330) is used to provide call forwarding. If a call forwarding condition (e.g., a busy condition or no answer condition) is detected in the first wireless network (310), then the first wireless network (310) transmits a first call forwarding request message to the subscriber server (330). The subscriber server (330) converts the first call forwarding request message in a first messaging protocol to a second call forwarding request message in a second messaging protocol that is used by the second wireless network (320). The subscriber server (330) then transmits the second call forwarding request message to the second wireless network (320), and the second wireless network (320) initiates forwarding of the call responsive to the second call forwarding request message.
Abstract:
Online conferencing systems and methods are disclosed that provide for sharing of documents in a more efficient manner during an online conference. A document to be shared is transmitted to each of the participants of an online conference through a conference server (110). If one of the participants (106, 107) navigates through the document using an application (122, 123), then a client conferencing system (112, 113) installed on the device of the participant detects navigation instructions in the application and reports the navigation instructions to the conference server. The conference server then reports the navigation instructions to the other participants of the online conference. The corresponding application on the devices of the other participants receives the navigation instructions and operates according to the instructions to synchronize viewing of the document among the participants.
Abstract:
Communication networks (100) and methods are disclosed for sharing charging information between a home IMS network (110) and a visited IMS network (120). If a signaling message for a session is received in the visited IMS network (120), the visited IMS network (120) assigns a visited charging identifier, such as an ICID, and shares the visited charging identifier with the home IMS network (110) through signaling messages. Similarly, the home IMS network (110) assigns a home charging identifier, and shares the home charging identifier with the visited IMS network (120) through signaling messages. When CDRs are generated in the home IMS network (110) and the visited IMS network (120), the networks include the home charging identifier and the visited charging identifier in the CDRs so that billing systems (116, 126) may more easily correlate the CDRs from the different IMS networks (110, 120).
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of processing information associated with off-line billed communications in a communications network. The method includes providing at least one charging data record to a rating engine. The charging data record(s) include information associated with at least one off¬ line communication and are provided in response to receiving the charging data record(s). The rating engine determines costs of the off-line communication(s) at a time determined based on at least one time control category associated with the charging data record(s). The method also includes modifying the charging data record(s) to include information indicative of the cost(s) of the off-line communication(s) determined by the rating engine.
Abstract:
IMS gateway systems and methods are disclosed for providing budget control in an IMS network. IMS networks allow for media changes, such as audio to audio/video, during an IMS session. An IMS gateway system (200) described herein receives a session control message, such as a SIP INVITE message, responsive to the media change during the session. The IMS gateway system (200) identifies media information for the new media in the session control message. The IMS gateway system (200) generates a corresponding charging request message, and includes media information for the new media in the charging request message. The IMS gateway system (200) then transmits the charging request message to an online charging system, OCS, (220) to provide for charging of the session based on the new media for the session.
Abstract:
This invention relates to apparatus and a method for assembling and coordinating call data records from a plurality of network elements of an Internet Protocol Multimedia System call to generate charging information. A pre-biller stores an integrated charging record and accesses a rating engine to obtain the charging information to complete a charging data record. Advantageously, the information from a plurality of network elements is integrated into a combined charging data record.
Abstract:
Communication networks (100) and associated methods are disclosed that provide offline charging in IMS networks (104). One of the methods includes receiving call signaling for a call from an access network (102) serving user equipment (120) for the call. The call signaling includes an access network identifier for the access network (102). The method further includes identifying location information related to the access network identifier. The method further includes determining a local time for the user equipment (120) based on the location information. The method further includes generating a charging message for the call, and inserting a timestamp in the charging message based on the local time for the user equipment (120). The timestamp in the charging message provides the billing system (114) with the local time for the user equipment (120) to allow for variable-rate billing.