Method and System for Network Element Billing

Abstract

Systems and methods for billing for a query to a network element are disclosed. Generally, data in a database is accessed in response to a query received from a first network element, wherein the data is associated with a data owner. Information is then transmitted to a second network element, wherein the information identifies the first network element and the data owner associated with the accessed data. In some implementations, the first network element includes a service switching point and the second network element includes a billing center.

1 . A method for billing for a query to a network element, the method comprising:
 accessing data in a database in response to a query received from a first network element, the data being associated with a data owner; and   transmitting information to a second network element, the information identifying the first network element and the data owner associated with the accessed data.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the query is received at a service control point. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first network element comprises a service switching point. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the service switching point is identified by an originating point code. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second network element comprises a billing center. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information is transmitted to the second network element after a plurality of queries have been received. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information is not transmitted through a service switching point. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information is transmitted via a communication link free of service point billing information. 
   
   
       9 . A computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for billing for a query to a network element, the set of instructions to direct a processor to perform acts of:
 accessing data in a database in response to a query received from a first network element, the data being associated with a data owner; and   transmitting information to a second network element, the information identifying the first network element and the data owner associated with the accessed data.   
   
   
       10 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the query is received at a service control point. 
   
   
       11 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the first network element comprises a service switching point. 
   
   
       12 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the second network element comprises a billing center. 
   
   
       13 . A system for billing for a query to a network element, the system comprising:
 a first network element in communication with a database, a second network element and a third network element, wherein the first network element is operative to access data in the database in response to a query received from the second network element, the data being associated with a data owner, and wherein the first network element is further operative to transmit information to the third network element, the information identifying the second network element and the data owner   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first network element comprises a service control point. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second network element comprises a service switching point. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the service switching point is identified by an originating point code. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the third network element comprises a billing center.