EP0618713A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Real-time fraud monitoring system in a telecommunication network
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1994-03-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-03-23
Abstract
Abstract Increased network security is provided by monitoring (in 28) in real time one or more characteristics or attributes of telephone calls that are placed through the network (10) and notifying the network customer, (at 38, 42 or 44), in real time, when the attributes are indicative of abnormal or fraudulent network usage. The subscriber, once notified of the abnormal usage, is in a position to take steps to minimize unauthorized network usage. For example, the subscriber can selectively block network usage, deny access to the network on a call-by-call basis, or trace the call to catch the unauthorized user while the call is still in progress.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne E. Relyea
- 👤 Suzanne E. Ronca
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:39
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/47; H04M7/00; H04M7/006; H04M7/0081; H04M7/0084; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04M3/36; H04M3/38; H04M3/42; H04M3/4228; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; H04Q3/58; H04Q3/62; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/60; H04M2203/6027; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/01; H04M2215/0148; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/13092; H04Q2213/13093; H04Q2213/13095; H04Q2213/13097; H04Q2213/13103; H04Q2213/1313; H04Q2213/13139; H04Q2213/13179; H04Q2213/13204; H04Q2213/13216; H04Q2213/1322; H04Q2213/13284; H04Q2213/13383; H04Q2213/13512; H04Q2213/13515; H04Q2213/13545
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for monitoring usage of a communications network to detect abnormal usage thereof, the method comprising the steps of: receiving in real time a plurality of predetermined attributes of a telephone call; processing the plurality of attributes to identify abnormal usage; and notifying a subscriber in real time of the occurrence of the abnormal usage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as described in claim 1 wherein the plurality of predetermined attributes are received while the call is in-progress.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention as described in claim 1 wherein the processing step comprises: comparing selected ones of the plurality of attributes with corresponding predetermined thresholds, the predetermined thresholds being indicative of abnormal network usage; and returning an indication that the call represents an abnormal use of the network if any of the selected ones of the plurality of attributes exceeds its corresponding predetermined threshold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as described in claim 3 wherein the plurality of predetermined thresholds are indicative of abnormal usage for calls originating from a predetermined originating telephone number.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as described in claim 3 wherein the plurality of predetermined thresholds are indicative of abnormal usage for calls placed using a predetermined authorization code.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as described in claim 3 wherein the plurality of predetermined thresholds are indicative of abnormal usage for calls placed using a predetermined 800 number.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as described in claim 3 wherein the plurality of predetermined thresholds are indicative of abnormal usage for calls placed to a predetermined termination location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention as described in claim 1 wherein the processing step comprises: processing at least one of the attributes to derive at least one additional value indicative of a pattern of network usage; comparing the additional value with a predetermined threshold, the predetermined threshold being indicative of abnormal network usage; and returning an indication that the call represents an abnormal use of the network if the additional value exceeds the predetermined threshold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as described in claim 1 further comprising the step of modifying, in real time, access to the network in response to feedback from the subscriber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as described in claim 9 wherein the modifying step comprises automatically blocking a subsequent telephone call having predetermined attributes specified by the subscriber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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