Automatic message accounting

Abstract: In a public switched telephone network, real time monitors on SS7 links will collect interoffice signaling messages. A site processor compiles data from the signaling messages relating to individual calls, to form call detail records (CDRs) for all interoffice call attempts. The site servers upload the CDRs to a central server. Automatic Message Accounting (AMA) records also are accumulated for at least selected central office switching systems and uploaded to a server. Programs running on the servers enable network operations personal to analyze a variety of network traffic patterns, for example to study the number of calls to particular numbers during various times periods and the hold time of the calls in order to identify the numbers of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). As another example, the traffic analysis may indicate the amount of traffic between two end offices and the percentage thereof routed through a tandem office, to allow network planners to design trunk upgrades between the various offices and/or to plan the addition of new offices.

Abstract: A system for rating and billing telecommunication transactions in real-time. In a preferred embodiment, a Real-Time Analysis Engine (RAE) updates customers' bills in real-time by applying customer specific data to Automatic Message Accounting (AMA) records. In a typical update, a customer initiates a call that is routed through a telephone network switch. The switch generates an AMA record for the call, and the record is passed to the RAE where the call is rated. The RAE then matches the rated call to the customer who initiated the call, locates that customer's billing data, and applies to the call any discounts to which the customer is entitled. After the call has been rated and discounted, or "priced", it may be added to the customer's other priced calls for the current billing period to generate a current bill for the customer.

Abstract: A method for improved automatic message accounting in telephony systems and the like, wherein actual call routing set-up is stored at the time of a call being answered by a called subscriber station; and the data conveying the actual call routing set-up is packaged in a data field of a message for upstream transmission through the actual call routes.

Abstract: Fraudulent toll telephone calls are detected by the recognition of extraneous supervisory signals which are generated in the originating office in response to a perpetrator placing such a call. The invention provides a means of detecting a second proceed-to-send signal received at the originating office and of recording in memory means the identities of the calling and called parties. Timing means for achieving the detection is connected to the automatic message accounting trunk circuit of the originating office and, upon detection, an MF receiver is also connected thereto for a predetermined interval of time.