IP Library Granted Patent US 10,033,877
Granted Patent B2
US 10,033,877 · App. 15/443,771 · Granted Jul 24, 2018

System and method for monitoring communications in a network

Inventors: Derek Mitsumori (Lexington, MA); Michael Baj (Newton, MA)
Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
H04M15/56H04L12/1482H04M15/8214H04W4/24
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,033,877
App. No.
15/443,771
Granted
Jul 24, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems are described for monitoring communications in a packet-switched network. More specifically, the system initiates a communication between a network endpoint associated with a call mediator and at least a second network endpoint; records, at the call mediator, information associated with the communication; and upon termination of the communication, communicates, from the call mediator to an enterprise gatekeeper, the information associated with the communication.

Claims (33)

1. A computerized method for monitoring communications in a packet switched network, the method comprising:

initiating a communication between a network endpoint associated with a call mediator and at least a second network endpoint;

recording, at the call mediator, information associated with the communication; and

upon termination of the communication, communicating, from the call mediator to an enterprise gatekeeper, the information associated with the communication in a disconnect request that contains a billing token containing information associated with the communication.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising a call mediator located at a customer site serviced by an enterprise gatekeeper located at a different location.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 , comprising a call mediator controlled by a customer and an enterprise gatekeeper controlled by a service provider.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein recording information associated with the communication comprises recording information that is accessible to the customer controlling the call mediator.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 , comprising storing, at the enterprise gatekeeper, information associated with the communication.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 , wherein the information associated with the communication stored at the enterprise gatekeeper is not accessible to the customer.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the communication comprises a VoIP communication.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein recording information associated with the communication comprises recording a network identifier associated with a network endpoint.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein recording information associated with the communication comprises recording at least one of:

a start time of the communication;

a stop time of the communication;

a duration of the communication; and

an amount of data transferred between the network endpoints.

10. A system for monitoring communications in a packet switched network, the system comprising:

a first network endpoint associated with a call mediator;

at least a second network endpoint; and

an enterprise gatekeeper;

wherein the first network endpoint initiates a communication with the second network endpoint,

wherein the call mediator records information associated with the communication, and

wherein upon termination of the communication, the call mediator communicates, to the enterprise gatekeeper, the information associated with the communication in a disconnect request that contains a billing token containing information associated with the communication.

11. The system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the call mediator is located at a customer site serviced by an enterprise gatekeeper located at a different location.

12. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the call mediator is controlled by a customer and the enterprise gatekeeper is controlled by a service provided.

13. The system as recited in claim 12 , wherein the information associated with the communication recorded at the call mediator is accessible to the customer controlling the call mediator.

14. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the enterprise gatekeeper stores the information associated with the communication received from the call mediator.

15. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the information associated with the communication stored at the enterprise gatekeeper is not accessible to the customer.

16. The system as recited in claim 10 wherein the information associated with the communication comprises at least one of:

a start time of the communication;

a stop time of the communication;

a duration of the communication; and

an amount of data transferred between the network endpoints.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2017
From: BAJ, MICHAEL
To: LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 041400/0007 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2017
From: MITSUMORI, DEREK
To: LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 041400/0069 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 14537778 · Nov 10, 2014
Continuation 12804706 · Jul 26, 2010
Continuation 10629521 · Jul 29, 2003
Related Publication 20170171397A1 · Jun 15, 2017