US 7,092,385 B2 · Policy control and billing support for call transfer in a session initiation protocol (SIP) network

Abstract

A session initiation protocol (SIP) server adds billing and authentication information to conventional SIP messages used in establishing call transfers. This additional information is later verified by a SIP server and used to enable advanced billing and fraud protection features for call transfers in a SIP telecommunications network.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims35

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

receiving a first session initiation protocol (SIP) message at a first SIP server, the first SIP message initiating a call transfer;
appending billing information and a digital signature to the first SIP message;
and
receiving a second SIP message initiating a call related to the call transfer at a second SIP server, the second SIP message including the billing information and the digital signature, the second SIP server generating an indication that a party indicated by the billing information be billed for the call when the digital signature indicates that the second SIP message is authentic.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description4,000 words

Summary1,042 words

#A. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to voice over packet based networks, and more particularly, to SIP communication networks.

#B. Description of Related Art

Brief description of the drawings9 figures

#The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the invention and, together with the description, explain the invention. In the drawings,

#FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system in which aspects consistent with the invention may be implemented;

#FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary computing device shown in FIG. 1;

Detailed description2,782 words

#The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers may be used in different drawings to identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents.

#As described below, a SIP server performs a number of policy and verification functions on call transfer messages. These functions include verifying that a party is authorized to initiate a call transfer, billing of the correct party involved in the call transfer, and call transfer message authentication functions. The SIP server may append information relating to these functions to the SIP REFER message.

#FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system 100 in which aspects consistent with the present invention may be implemented. System 100 may form a telecommunications network designed to carry voice and video data based on the SIP protocol.

Facts

Application

10/235,241Filed 4 Sep 2002 · us provisional application

Priority

12 Mar 2002

Published

US 2003/0177099 A118 Sep 2003

Granted

15 Aug 2006

Term ended

1 Feb 2025

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 881 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification20 codes

H04L 63/10
Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security: for controlling access to devices or network resources
G06Q 30/04
Commerce: billing or invoicing
H04M 3/2281
Arrangements for supervision, monitoring or testing: call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of…
H04M 3/54
Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers: arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined…

Timeline

12 Mar 2002Priority claimedParent application 60/363,592
4 Sep 2002Application filedUS 10/235,241
4 Sep 2002Assigned to Worldcom, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
18 Sep 2003PublishedUS 2003/0177099 A1
4 Aug 2004Assigned to Mci, Inc.change of name
7 Apr 2006Assigned to Mci, LLCchange of name
15 Aug 2006GrantedUS 7,092,385 B2
13 Mar 2007Assigned to Verizon Business Global LLCchange of name
13 Mar 2007Assigned to Mci, LLCmerger
17 Sep 2012Assigned to Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
28 Nov 2012Assigned to Tekla Pehr LLCassignment of assignor's interest
3 Dec 2012Assigned to Mci, Inc.correction to the recordation cover sheet of the change of name recorded at 015045/0387 on 08/04/2004.
3 Dec 2012Assigned to Mci, LLCcorrection to the recordation cover sheet of the change of name recorded at 017436/0075 on 04/07/2006
27 Oct 2015Assigned to Ol Security Limited Liability Companymerger
1 Feb 2025Term endedEstimated, includes 881 days of adjustment
8 Apr 2026Assigned to Intellectual Ventures Assets 202 LLCassignment of assignor's interest
31 May 2026Assigned to E2E Systems LLCassignment of assignor's interest

Policy control and billing support for call transfer in a session initiation protocol (SIP) network

Life of this patent

Policy control and billing support for call transfer in a session initiation protocol (SIP) network

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims35

Description4,000 words

Drawings

Classification20 codes

Life of this patent

Description4,000 words