U.S. patent application number 11/838685 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-29 for method and system for paying prepaid communications credit.
Invention is credited to Jerome Wendell Myers, Rimas Rauba, John Ruckart.
Application Number | 20070274480 11/838685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21732010 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070274480 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruckart; John ; et
al. |
November 29, 2007 |
Method and System for Paying Prepaid Communications Credit
Abstract
A method and system for prepaying credits to a user account for
communications services is provided. A system receives an
origination number and a code. The code corresponds to a predefined
payment amount for prepaid credit. The system credits an account
associated with the origination number with the predefined payment
amount for prepaid credit. Software for implementing the method and
system may be implemented in a number of environments, including a
computer system accessible remotely or a processor located on a
user communication device.
Inventors: |
Ruckart; John; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Rauba; Rimas; (Roswell, GA) ; Myers;
Jerome Wendell; (Douglasville, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John S. Pratt, Esq.;Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
Suite 2800
1100 Peachtree Street
Atlanta
GA
30309-4530
US
|
Family ID: |
21732010 |
Appl. No.: |
11/838685 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11084914 |
Mar 21, 2005 |
7257207 |
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11838685 |
Aug 14, 2007 |
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10008511 |
Nov 8, 2001 |
6950506 |
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11084914 |
Mar 21, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
379/114.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2017/24 20130101;
H04M 17/201 20130101; H04M 2017/25 20130101; H04M 17/20 20130101;
H04M 17/00 20130101; H04M 2017/225 20130101; G06Q 20/04 20130101;
H04M 17/204 20130101; H04M 15/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/114.2 |
International
Class: |
H04M 15/00 20060101
H04M015/00 |
Claims
1. A method for purchasing prepaid communications credit,
comprising: receiving an origination number; receiving a code,
wherein the code corresponds to a predefined payment amount for
prepaid credit; and crediting an account associated with the
origination number with the predefined payment amount for prepaid
credit.
2-37. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to co-pending application serial
number (Attorney docket #369681/262330 (BS01250), filed
concurrently herewith), entitled, "Method and System for Prepaid
Communications Credit," which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a system and method for allowing
users to prepay credit for use in a communications network, such as
a wired or cellular telephone network.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Communications service providers, such as telephone service
providers, employ various methods of charging users for
communications usage within a communications network. One method of
charging users for communications includes a per minute rate. For
example, if a telephone user makes a long distance telephone call,
the user is charged a rate per minute multiplied by the number of
minutes that the telephone call lasts. One common practice is to
change the per minute rate based on the destination of the
telephone call and/or the time of day. For example, telephone calls
within a country are typically cheaper per minute than calls from
one country to another, and telephone calls during daytime hours,
e.g., 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., are typically more expensive than
calls during evening hours, e.g., 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
[0004] Users who pay for communications services using a per-minute
method often have difficulty determining how much money they have
spent for communications services until they receive a billing
statement from the communications company. In order to keep track
of communications costs from day-to-day, the user must know how
much time is spent using the communications services and the per
minute rate. It is difficult and inconvenient for users to keep
track of how much time is spent using a communications network, and
the multiple rates charged by the communications provider are also
difficult for a user to track. While users often know domestic
telephone per minute rates, they may not know all international
rates without contacting the telephone service provider. If users
are surprised by a large billing statement, they may become
dissatisfied with the communications services provider and hesitant
to use the services without being able to track the costs.
[0005] Another conventional method for charging users for
communications includes allowing the user to pay a periodic fee for
a certain amount of communication usage. This method is
particularly common in selling cellular telephone service. When
such a method is employed, a user typically pays a monthly fee for
a predefined number of "minutes" of telephone use in a predefined
geographic area. If the user uses more than the predefined number
of minutes or makes calls outside the predefined geographic area,
the user is charged a per minute rate for the telephone calling
time in addition to the monthly fee.
[0006] Users who pay for communications services with this
certain-amount method also have difficulty determining how much
money has been spent on telephone calls or other communications
services once the prepaid services are used and the per minute rate
is charged. In addition, such users often pay for more services
than they use in a month. In typical certain-amount plans, if
minutes are not used during the month, the minutes cannot be used
at a later time. Some users would prefer to pay only for the time
that they use.
[0007] Some users may have bad credit or non-existent credit and,
therefore, would be a credit risk to a communications company
charging per minute rates that are due after the communications
services are delivered. Telephone companies often "toll block"
these users. In other words, users who are deemed a credit risk are
not allowed to make long distance or other calls requiring a toll
or fee.
[0008] Many users who are "toll blocked" purchase prepaid calling
cards. Prepaid service often eliminates the need to demonstrate
good credit because the services are paid up front. However, such
cards are often inconvenient for users for a number of reasons.
Prepaid calling cards require that a user first dial an access code
to access the prepaid account. The user is sometimes required to
first dial a "toll free" phone number to enter the code. Because
many cards and accounts may be offered by the same communications
provider, the codes are often long and cumbersome to dial. In
addition, such prepaid calling cards are not associated with an
individual, and therefore, cannot be used to create a credit
history.
[0009] One solution to some of these problems involves allowing
users to pre-purchase credits that are used only if a call is made
from a predefined telephone line. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,422. This
method includes adding pre-purchased credits to an account that
corresponds to a predefined telephone number. If a call is made
from the predefined telephone number, the cost of the telephone
call is deducted from the account amount. Users have many of the
advantages of prepaid calling cards, including eliminating a need
to demonstrate good credit, without needing to enter lengthy
codes.
[0010] However, it is often inconvenient for a user to pay for
pre-purchased credits. Credit card payments offer quick processing
time because the credit card information may be entered directly
into a payment system, such as through a computer network or by a
customer service representative who is given the credit card
information over the phone or at a retail store. Although it is
relatively easy for some users to pay for pre-purchased credits by
giving a credit card to a communications company, other users may
not own credit cards. Typically, toll blocked users have poor
credit, and are more likely to not have access to credit cards. If
a user does not have a credit card, the pre-purchased credits can
be paid for by sending a check or money order to a communications
company. The processing time of the payment is generally
inconveniently long using this method of payment. The payment is
often sent through the mail, which can take several days.
Processing time is also increased because checks and money orders
must be examined and entered into a payment system. It may also
take additional time for money to be transferred by a check or
money order.
[0011] Still another conventional method for charging users for
communications includes "unlimited" communications usage in
exchange for a periodic fee. This method is common in selling
Internet access. A user typically pays a monthly fee in exchange
for unlimited access to a communications network, such as the
Internet.
[0012] While users who pay for communications services with such a
method know exactly how much will be due on a periodic billing
statement, users often have the perception that they are paying for
communications services that they are not using. While this method
of payment may be convenient for users who spend many hours per
month connected to the Internet, a user who only uses the Internet
for an average of a few minutes per month would probably prefer to
pay a per minute rate. However, a per minute rate involves the
uncertainties of the fees and rates, and generally requires a good
credit rating.
[0013] Another disadvantage of the current methods of payment
exists when several people share the same telephone line, but wish
to pay for telephone services individually. This situation is
common among roommates. Users in this situation must either
purchase calling cards or manually split up the billing statement.
If the billing statement is split between individuals, there is no
way for the communications service provider to know who incurred
which bill, and often one or both individuals will be liable for
the entire amount.
[0014] Still another disadvantage of the current methods of payment
exists when one individual is paying for communications services in
two or more households. Such an individual receives separate
billing statement for each service, and each billing statement has
the disadvantages discussed above of the payment method used. In
addition, the individual paying for the service may be paying for
communications services used by other individuals, such as the
common situation where a parent pays for communications services
for a child who is living at a separate residence. The individual
paying for the service often has no way of restricting the services
available to the other individuals, which can be especially
problematic if a per minute rate is charged after the services have
been provided. A common scenario is a parent being surprised by the
phone bill that his or her child has incurred.
[0015] These and other problems are avoided and numerous advantages
are provided by the methods and systems of the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] According to the present invention, a code corresponds to a
payment amount for prepaid credit. By correlating the payment
amount and a code, convenient methods of payment are enabled. In
one embodiment, a system receives an origination number and a code.
The origination number is any identifying number that designates
the origination of a communications connection. Examples of an
origination number include a phone number or a unique hardware
identifying number such as a Media Control Access ("MAC") address
or Internet Protocol ("IP") address. The code corresponds to a
predefined payment amount for prepaid credit. The system credits an
account associated with the origination number with the predefined
payment amount for prepaid credit.
[0017] The system may receive the origination number and code
through several sources convenient to consumers, for example, a
retail establishment or an automated vending machine. The methods
and systems disclosed herein provide convenient payment for prepaid
credits and eliminate the need for credit cards or lengthy
processing times caused by mailing payments. The credits may then
be used for communications services. Various methods and systems
for using the prepaid credit are discussed in detail co-pending
application serial number (Attorney docket #369681/262330
(BS01250), filed herewith), entitled, "Method and System for
Prepaid Communications Credit."
[0018] For clarity and ease of presentation, reference is made
herein to "calls." By a "call" it is meant a communication
connection between devices in a communications network. Calls may
include wired or wireless telephone calls, or telephone calls made
trough other communications networks such as Ethernet or cable
connections. Any communications connection may be substituted
herein for a "call," including any device that connect to a
communications network, such as computer "dial-up" Internet
connections, e-mail, local area networks ("LAN"), wide area
networks ("WAN"). Any communications network may also be
substituted, including Ethernet, cable, or digital subscriber lines
("DSL"). Devices that make communications connections include any
device that connects to a communications network, such as
computers, hand-held devices sold under the trade name Palm.TM.,
telephones, cellular phones, and devices for receiving and
transmitting e-mail.
[0019] In one aspect, a method according to the present invention
includes receiving an origination number and a code. The code
corresponds to a predefined payment amount for prepaid credit. A
system then credits an account associated with the origination
number with the predefined payment amount for prepaid credit.
Preferably, when a communications connection, such as a phone call
or computer network connection, is made from the received
origination number, the cost of the communications connection is
deducted from the payment amount for prepaid credit in the
account.
[0020] In another aspect, if a predefined condition is detected,
the cost of the communications connection is deducted from the
payment amount for prepaid credit in the account. Preferably, the
predefined condition includes detecting that the communications
connection originates from the received origination number. The
predefined condition may also include detecting a predefined
destination number.
[0021] In yet another aspect, a system discontinues the
communications connection if the cost of the communications
connection is greater than the payment amount for prepaid credit in
the account.
[0022] In yet another aspect of the invention, a computer readable
medium includes a first set of instructions for receiving an
origination number and a second set of instructions for receiving a
code. The code corresponds to a predefined payment amount for
prepaid credit. The computer readable medium includes a third set
of instructions for crediting an account associated with the
origination number with the predefined payment amount for prepaid
credit. Preferably, when a communications connection is made, for
example, from a received phone number, the cost of the
communications connection is deducted from the payment amount for
prepaid credit in the account. The computer readable medium may be
a diskette, compact disk or hard drive.
[0023] Embodiments of the present invention offer many advantages.
Various embodiments allow a user to conveniently pre-purchase
credit for payment of communications services, eliminating long
processing times caused by check or money order payment without
requiring a credit card. The credit may be used for communications
services, as described in more detail in co-pending application
serial number (Attorney docket #369681/262330 (BS01250), filed
herewith), entitled, "Method and System for Prepaid Communications
Credit."
[0024] These and other advantages will become apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art with reference to the detailed
description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary telephone
network.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system
and telephone network for implementing the invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows the flow of an embodiment of a method according
to the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a method according
to the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows another alternative embodiment of a method
according to the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows yet another alternative embodiment of a method
according to the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows still another an alternative embodiment of a
method according to the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 8 shows yet another an alternative embodiment of a
method according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, methods
and systems for paying for prepaid communications credits are
provided. In one embodiment, a system receives an origination
number and a code. The code corresponds to a predefined payment
amount for prepaid credit. The system credits an account associated
with the origination number with the predefined payment amount for
prepaid credit. The system may receive the origination number and
code through several sources convenient to consumers. For example,
a retail establishment can sell the credit for cash and confirm
that payment has been received. The retail establishment then sends
the origination number and a code that corresponds to the payment
amount to the system. Because payment has been verified at the
retail establishment, the prepaid credit is processed without the
need to wait for money to be transferred or payments to be sent by
mail.
[0034] Another example of a source for sending an origination
number and code to the system involves purchasing the code and
directions regarding how to send the code and a phone number to the
system. A user purchases the code, for example, at a retail
establishment or at a vending machine. The code and instructions
for entering the code may be on a card or receipt. The user then
sends the code and an origination number of the user's choosing to
the system, for example, through a voice mail system or a computer
system.
[0035] The methods and systems disclosed herein offer convenient
payment for prepaid credits without the use of credit cards or
lengthy processing times caused by mailing payments. The credits
may then be used for communications services. Examples of methods
and systems for using the prepaid credit are discussed in detail
co-pending application serial number (Attorney docket
#369681/262330 (BS01250), filed herewith), entitled, "Method and
System for Prepaid Communications Credit."
[0036] For clarity and ease of presentation, reference is made
herein to a telephone network through which telephone calls may be
placed. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art,
the present invention may be applied to any network, for example, a
wireless or wired telecommunications or computer network where
users are allowed to connect to the network from various locations.
Any communications connection may be substituted for a "call." The
origination number may be a phone number or any other number that
designates the origination of a communications connection, such as
a Media Access Control ("MAC") address on a communications device,
for example, a computer connected to a network.
[0037] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary telephone network. An overview of
wireless telephone networks is provided in more detail in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,850,606 to Bedingfield et al., which is hereby incorporated
by reference.
[0038] For clarity and ease of presentation, an example of a
telephone network, including both wireless and wired devices, is
depicted in FIG. 1. As will be readily appreciated by those of
ordinary skill in the art, the invention is applicable to wireless,
wired, and other types of communication networks. For example, the
invention is easily modified for use in a computer network. Any
number of network configurations may be used to implement the
system and method disclosed herein. It is not necessary that a
particular wireless or wired telephone or other network
configuration is used.
[0039] In the network 10 depicted in FIG. 1, a mobile wireless
device 21 communicates with other telephones and compatible
electronic equipment through one or more mobile telephone switching
offices ("MTSO") 11 and cellular sites 15a-15n. The MTSO 11
establishes voice or other communications such as text
communications with other telephones and compatible electronic
equipment within the coverage area. As is known to those skilled in
the art, the wireless device 21 passes through various cellular
sites 15a-15n under the control of the MTSO 11 based on the
geographic movement of the wireless telephone user. Each cellular
site 15a-15n contains a transmitter and a receiver for
communicating voice and data signals directly to and from the MTSO
11 and the wireless device 21 while the wireless device 21 is
within the transmission range of a particular cellular site 15a. As
the wireless device 21 is moved outside the range of cellular site
15a, it is transferred to a second cellular site such as cellular
site 15b. The MTSO 11 controls the wireless device 21 as it passes
through the various cellular sites 15a-15n.
[0040] The MTSO 11 controls a number of cellular sites and has a
geographic range for tracking and monitoring wireless telephones.
The MTSO 11 depicted in the network 10 is connected to a public
switched telephone network 13. A wired device 17 is connected to
the public switched telephone network 13. Both the connection
between the MTSO 11 and the public switched telephone network 13
may be a wired connections or may be wireless connections. The
wired device 17 can be a wireless mobile telephone, or a wired
telephone, or any device compatible with the telephone network such
as personal computers (PC's) or other electronic devices.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a block diagram which depicts an embodiment of a
system according to the present invention. The system has a PSTN 13
that is in communication with a wired device 17, a wireless device
21, a cellular site 15, and an MTSO 11. The PSTN 13, wireless
device 21, MTSO 11, wired device 17, and cellular site 15 may be
part of a network of other MTSOs, wireless and wired devices, and
cellular sites, such as the network shown in greater detail in FIG.
1.
[0042] The MTSO 11 is in communication with a computer system 45
through a central processor 47 that resides on the computer system
45. The computer system 45 has system memory 49 for storing data.
An operating system 51 is loaded onto the computer system 45 for
running and controlling application software. The prepaid module 53
is an example of an application that is run by the operating system
51. The prepaid module 53 is a computer readable medium, such as a
diskette, compact disc, or hard drive. The prepaid module 53 is
described in greater detail below.
[0043] The central processor 47 of the computer system 45 is also
in communication with a computer network 55. The computer network
55 allows communication between the computer system 45 and other
computer systems or terminals that may be connected to the computer
network 55. Examples of terminals that may be connected to the
computer network 55 include the user terminal 59, the administrator
terminal 57) and the seller terminal 58. Specifically, the user
terminal 59, administrator terminal 57, and seller terminal 58 may
send code information or phone numbers to the prepaid module 53
through the network 55 and central processor 47. The seller
terminal 58, user terminal 59 and administrator terminal 57 may
include a receiver for receiving a code from a magnetic strip or
computer chip on a card or a terminal or other device for entering
information into a system.
[0044] The system depicted in FIG. 2 allows data, such as call
information, voice transmissions, and text messages, from the
wireless device 21 to be transmitted from the cellular site 15 and
an MTSO 11 to a computer system 45. Alternatively, data is
transmitted from a wired device and PSTN 13 to the computer system
45. The data is stored in the system memory 49, and/or processed by
the prepaid module 53, which is run and controlled by the operating
system 51. The central processor 47 communicates the data or other
information derived from the data to a computer network 55, where
it may be accessed at a user terminal 59 or an administrator
terminal 57. Thus, a user or administrator can track the usage of
the wireless device 21 from the user terminal 59 or administrator
terminal 57, respectively.
[0045] In an embodiment of a system for implementing a method
according to the present invention, the prepaid module 53 comprises
a software program or computer readable medium for storing and
tracking the user's prepaid account. The network system depicted in
FIG. 2 is an example of the environment in which the prepaid module
is operated. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art, alternative networks may be implemented. In an alternative
embodiment, the computer system 45 and the user terminal 59 could
be a single computer, which receives and processes the data (using
the prepaid module 53) from the wireless device 21 or wired device
17 directly. In another embodiment, a telephone network is
substituted for the computer network 55 and a telephone is
substituted for the user terminal 59. The user dials a telephone
number, which connects the user to a voice mail system through a
telephone network. Information from the computer system 45 is
communicated to the user through the voice mail system, which may
be a conventional voice mail service. In yet another embodiment,
the wireless device 21 contains a processor chip that runs the
prepaid module 53 on the wireless telephone itself In this
embodiment, the wireless device 21 has a display through which the
user can access information about calling usage processed by the
prepaid module 53. Thus, the computer network 55, computer system
45 and user and administrator terminals 59 and 57 are
eliminated.
[0046] One embodiment of the operation of the prepaid module 53
shown in FIG. 2 is depicted in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, the
prepaid module starts at step 71 and receives a phone number at
step 73. The prepaid module then receives a code corresponding to a
predefined payment amount for prepaid credit at step 75. The code
is a series of characters or other identifying information that
corresponds to a predefined amount of prepaid credit. The prepaid
module includes a list or table of codes and corresponding prepaid
credit amounts. The prepaid module credits an account associated
with the received phone number with the predefined payment amount
for prepaid credit at step 77. For example, the prepaid module
creates an account for the user, which includes the phone number
and the amount of credit associated with the code, or if the user
has an existing account, the amount of credit associated with the
code is added to the amount of credit that is in the existing
account. The account may also include information about the user,
such as the user name, address, and alternative phone numbers.
Multiple user account may be stored in a database in communication
with the prepaid module. The code and phone number may be entered
into the prepaid module 53 shown in FIG. 2 by the user terminal 59,
seller terminal 58 or administrator terminal 57 through the network
55.
[0047] Methods and systems for sending the code and phone number to
the prepaid module include a seller terminal 58 as shown in FIG. 2.
The seller terminal 58 may be located at a retail establishment.
For example, the code is purchased by a user, and a clerk enters
the code and a phone number of the user's choosing into a seller
terminal 58 located at the retail establishment. Alternatively, the
code may be purchased by a user at an automated vending machine.
The user may enter the code and a phone number of the user's choice
from a user terminal 59 or a seller terminal 58 located near the
vending machine. The user terminal may be a computer terminal
connected to the network 55. Alternatively, the user may enter the
code and a phone number of the user's choice from a wired device 17
or wireless device 21 that is connected to the prepaid module 53
through the central processor 47 by a PSTN 13 or cellular site 15
and MTSO 11.
[0048] The prepaid credit may be used to pay for communications
services. Various methods and systems of paying for communications
services using the prepaid credit are discussed in detail
co-pending application serial number (Attorney docket
#369681/262330 (BS01250), filed herewith), entitled, "Method and
System for Prepaid Communications Credit."
[0049] Another embodiment of the operation of the prepaid module 53
shown in FIG. 2 is depicted in FIG. 4. The flow shown in FIG. 4 is
a continuation of the result of the steps shown in FIG. 3. Once the
steps shown in FIG. 3 have been performed, the prepaid module
begins at step 83 in FIG. 4. A user makes a call at step 83. The
prepaid module detects the origination source of the call, and if
the phone call originates from the received phone number at step
85, the prepaid module stops at step 87. If the call originates
from the received phone number at step 85, the prepaid module
deducts the cost of the call from the prepaid credit in the user
account at step 89. The prepaid module stops at 91.
[0050] Yet another embodiment of the operation of the prepaid
module 53 shown in FIG. 2 is depicted in FIG. 5. The flow shown in
FIG. 5 is a continuation of the flow from FIG. 3. The prepaid
module starts at step 101 and the user makes a call at step 103.
The prepaid module detects the origination source of the call, and
if the phone call originates from the received phone number at step
105, the prepaid module stops at step 107.
[0051] The prepaid module then detects if a predefined condition is
detected at step 109. If a predefined condition is not detected at
step 109, the prepaid module stops at step 111. If a predefined
condition is detected at step 109, the prepaid module deducts the
cost of the call from the prepaid credit in the user account at
step 113. The prepaid module stops at 115.
[0052] A predefined condition may be used to limit the
communications services for which the prepaid credit may be
applied. Examples of predefined conditions include detecting that
the call originates from the received phone number, detecting that
the call is a toll call, and detecting that the call is a
predefined destination number. Referring to FIG. 2, the predefined
conditions may be received by the prepaid module 53 from the user
terminal 59, the administrator terminal 57, or the seller terminal
58 through the network 55 and central processor 47. The predefined
conditions may also be received by the prepaid module 53 from a
wireless device 21 through a cellular site 15 and MTSO 11 or from a
wired device 17 through a PSTN 13 in communication with the central
processor 47.
[0053] Another embodiment of the flow of the prepaid module 53
shown in FIG. 2 is depicted in FIG. 6. The prepaid module begins at
step 1141. The prepaid module credits a user account with prepaid
credit at step 1143. The prepaid module may receive credit and
other information using the method depicted in FIG. 3. The prepaid
module detects a predefined condition of a call and determines of
the predefined condition is detected at step 1145. If the
predefined conditions are not met at step 1145, the call is
terminated at step 1147 and the prepaid module stops at step 1149.
At step 1151, the prepaid module checks whether a bypass code was
received. A bypass code is a code that enables the network to
bypass toll restrictions. If a bypass code is not received, the
call is terminated at step 1153 and the prepaid module ends at step
1155.
[0054] If the bypass code is received at step 1151, then toll
restrictions are bypassed at step 1157. The call is continued
through the PSTN at step 1159. The cost of the call is deducted
from the prepaid credit in the user account at step 1161, and the
prepaid module stops at step 1163.
[0055] Yet another embodiment of the flow of the prepaid module 53
shown in FIG. 2 is depicted in FIG. 7. The prepaid module starts at
step 1111 and credits the user account with prepaid credit at step
1113. For each call that is made, the prepaid module detects
whether predefined conditions are present. If a predefined
condition is not detected at step 1115, the prepaid module
terminates the call at step 1123.
[0056] If a predefined condition is detected at step 1115, the
prepaid module notifies the user of a prepaid credit amount at step
1117. This notification may occur by a recorded voice message at
the beginning of the call. Alternatively, a user can check how much
prepaid credit is in the user's account by accessing the prepaid
module through the network 55 from the user terminal 59 depicted in
FIG. 2.
[0057] Referring back to FIG. 7, the call is continued through the
PSTN at step 1119. During the call, the prepaid module checks
whether the cost of the call is greater than the prepaid credit
amount. If the cost of the call is greater than the prepaid credit
amount at step 1121, than the prepaid module terminates the call at
step 1127 and sets the prepaid credit in the account to zero at
step 1129. The prepaid module then ends at step 1131.
[0058] If the cost of the call is not greater than the prepaid
credit amount at step 1121, then the prepaid module deducts the
cost of the call from the prepaid credit in the user account at
step 1133. The prepaid module stops at step 1135.
[0059] Yet another embodiment of the flow of the prepaid module 53
shown in FIG. 2 is depicted in FIG. 8. The prepaid module starts at
step 283 and credits a first user account with prepaid credit at
step 285. The first user account includes a first access code
associated therewith. The prepaid module then credits a second user
account with prepaid credit at step 287. The second user account
includes a second access code associated therewith.
[0060] The prepaid module then detects a code and an origination
line of a call at step 289. If the origination line is not a
predefined line at step 291, then the prepaid module stops at step
293 and the call is processed through the normal PSTN. If the first
access code is detected at step 295, the prepaid module deducts the
cost of the call from the prepaid credit in the first user account
at step 297. The prepaid module stops at step 299. If the first
access code is not detected at step 295, then the prepaid module
checks whether the second access code is detected at step 301. If
the second access code is detected at step 301, then the prepaid
module deducts the cost of the call from the prepaid credit in the
second user account at step 303, and stops at step 307. If the
second access code is not detected at step 301, the prepaid module
terminates the call at step 305 and stops at step 307.
[0061] It will be apparent to those with skill in the art that
there are many alterations that may be made in the embodiments of
the invention described above without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, there are many ways that
circuits and electronic elements may be combined to implement the
method and system described herein in various systems and hardware
environments. The present invention may be implemented in various
network environments, including wireless and computer networks, or
other networks supporting electronic devices. There are similarly
many ways that independent programmers might provide software to
provide the functionality associated with the present invention as
taught herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Having thus generally described the invention, the same
will become better understood from the following claims in which it
is set forth in a non-limiting manner.
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