Method for recording non-communication intervals during a communications call
AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.
InventorDavid B. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a telecommunications call a different charge is incurred for intervals of noncommunication than for intervals during which communication may take place. For example, a period of hold is one during which the party on hold cannot communicate with the other end of a connection. Such intervals are accumulated for a call and the charge for the call is adjusted in accordance with the total length of the noncommunicating intervals. Advantageously customers are charged primarily for the period of time during which they can actually communicate, without having to disconnect and later reestablish a call.
Claims20
In a telecommunications switching system which serves at least one calling telephone station, a method for adjusting charges for intervals non-communication between a caller and a called party during a call, comprising the steps of:
- detecting in the switching system a signal from the calling station indicating a forthcoming interval of non-communication between a caller and a called party during said call;
- making a record of elapsed time of said interval non-communication;
- and adjusting charges for said call based on said elapsed time of said interval of non-communication in said record.
In a telecommunications switching system serving at least one calling telephone, a method for adjusting charges for an interval of non-communication between a caller and a called party during a call comprising the steps of:
- detecting in the switching system an interval of non-communication between a caller and called party during the call;
- making a record of elapsed time of the interval of non-communication;
- using the record of elapsed time of the interval of non-communication for adjusting charges for the call wherein the adjustment of charges is subject to an adjustment limit;
- and
- providing notification that the adjustment limit has been reached.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.