Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a telecommunication service is disclosed wherein a call associated with a first prepaid services account identifier is received from a user. An offer is provided to the user to initiate a replacement service for the first prepaid services account identifier and, upon receiving an indication of an acceptance of the offer from the user, a replacement codeword associated with the first prepaid services account identifier is established. The call associated with the first prepaid services account may be any type of communication, including a telephone call, a message delivered via the internet, or any other voice or data message. Upon receipt of the codeword from the user, a second prepaid services account identifier is established and, in one implementation, the first prepaid services account identifier is deactivated.

Abstract: Methods for adding minutes to a calling plan having a calling plan period. The methods including determining whether a threshold number of minutes have been reached during the calling plan period; and incrementally adding minutes to the calling plan when the threshold number of minutes has been reached. The cost per minute of the added minutes is less than the high-cost per minute rate normally associated with exceeding the threshold number of minutes during the calling plan period.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provide for processing prepaid calling time to a subscriber by determining an identity of a subscriber of prepaid calling time upon origination of a call to which a subscriber of prepaid calling time is to be a party; determining an amount of prepaid calling time available to the subscriber; allowing a call to which the subscriber is to be a party to be connected if prepaid calling time is available to the subscriber; and deducting calling time from the available prepaid calling time of the subscriber as the connected call proceeds. The method also provides for purchasing pre-paid calling time by electronically transferring funds from an account of the subscriber to an account of a pre-paid call time provider, the amount of funds transferred equal to the dollar amount of pre-paid calling time to be credited to the subscriber; and crediting to the subscriber an amount of pre-paid calling time corresponding to the dollar amount of the transferred funds.

Abstract: The application relates to the service “pre-paid calls on post-paid bill”. If, for example, there is no money left on a caller's pre-paid account when calling a specific number, the call is charged to the post-paid subscription of a subscriber who agreed to take over the costs for these specific calls. Or if a business buys pre-paid cards for his staff, calls of the employees on working days in the office hours are billed on the post-paid bills of the business rather than on the pre-paid cards.

Abstract: A method, a telecommunications system and a network node are provided for managing subscription information of a prepaid subscription in a telecommunications system. According to the present invention, a first time limit indicating when the subscription will expire is set during subscription provisioning. When the first time limit is encountered, the subscription is deactivated.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting service data between telecommunication devices. Pre-paid access data including a first digital key and control data is stored in a memory module of a telecommunication device, a second digital key being stored on one or more control units of the telecommunication network. A validity criterion is determined based on the control data, and service data of the first telecommunication device is encoded by the first key as long as the validity criterion is fulfilled. The encoded service data is transmitted to the control unit, decoded by the second digital key, and transmitted to another telecommunication device.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method provides a user with a prepaid account with a predetermined number of units for language interpretation service. Further, the method provides a live language interpretation service, through a telephone call, to the user. In addition, the method deducts one or more units from the predetermined number of units in the prepaid account based on a duration of the telephone call in addition to any units deducted by a telephone service provider for telephone service based on the duration of the telephone call.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method provides a user with a prepaid account with a predetermined number of units for language interpretation service. Further, the method provides a live language interpretation service, through a telephone call, to the user. In addition, the method deducts one or more units from the predetermined number of units in the prepaid account based on a duration of the telephone call in addition to any units deducted by a telephone service provider for telephone service based on the duration of the telephone call.

Abstract: In one particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a method of activating a prepaid telephony account. The method includes receiving a call from a caller at a prepaid service destination address identified by a prepaid calling card; receiving a prepaid card number of the caller; receiving a destination number; receiving an origination address of the caller; providing a message to the caller including an offer to associate a prepaid account corresponding to the prepaid calling card with the origination address of the caller; receiving a response to the message from the caller; and associating a long distance service code with the origination address of the caller based on the response to the message.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for registering and operating a wireless telephone in a roaming service area in which the wireless telephone is not registered for roaming services. When a wireless telephone is operated in a such a roaming service area, the roaming service provider whose services the wireless telephone must utilize in order to operate in the roaming service area informs the user of the wireless telephone through a recorded or live message that the wireless telephone may be used in the roaming service area if the user of the wireless telephone purchases and uses a prepaid utilization account offered by the roaming service provider. If the user purchases a prepaid card and loads a balance into a prepaid utilization account, a prepaid services system of the roaming service provider establishes a pseudo-telephone number for use by the wireless telephone in the roaming service area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a secure telephone call management system for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users is accomplished by using a personal identification number, preferably in conjunction with speaker independent voice recognition and speaker dependent voice identification. When a user first enters the system, the user speaks his or her name which is used as a sample voice print. During each subsequent use of the system, the user is required to speak his or her name. Voice identification software is used to verify that the provided speech matches the sample voice print. The secure system includes accounting software to limit access based on funds in a user's account or other related limitations. Management software implements widespread or local changes to the system and can modify or set any number of user account parameters.

Abstract: A prepaid long-distance telephone calling card has two or more distinct PIN numbers each obscured by opaque scratch-off material. Each PIN number is associated with prepaid value. A user can scratch off the opaque material for PIN numbers one by one, and the value for each PIN number expires in a way that is unrelated to any other PIN number on the card.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a reloadable prepaid card account maintained by a foreign financial institution is provided. The foreign financial institution is provided with a domestic payment network authorization code, such as the bank identification number approved by the American Banking Association. The BIN along with a prepaid account number is loaded onto a prepaid card corresponding to the prepaid account. A prepaid cardholder may present the prepaid card to a merchant system for completion of a transaction request. The merchant system may be accessed domestically and may recognize the BIN as belonging to the foreign financial institution authorized to transact business on the merchant's domestic payment network. The merchant may seek satisfaction of the transaction request by submitting the transaction request to an acquirer which may forward the transaction request to the foreign financial institution for processing.

Abstract: A transaction processing platform capable of facilitating the distribution to consumers of various types of prepaid products is disclosed. The transaction processing platform is configured to interface with one or more providers of such prepaid products in order to facilitate the procurement or activation of the products. The platform includes a conduit interface through which service request messages are received and respectively utilized to generate transaction requests for corresponding types of prepaid services. A supply interface arrangement, operatively coupled to the conduit interface, is configured to route a first of the transaction requests through a first supply interface associated with a first type of prepaid service. The supply interface arrangement also routes a second transaction request through a second supply interface associated with a second type of prepaid service.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for automatically routing a long distance call placed by a subscriber to a prepaid service provider. Six exemplary methods are discussed for allowing the prepaid subscriber to directly dial a called party's long distance telephone number, and then routing the placed call to a prepaid service. The subscriber, in each case, is not required to first dial the telephone number of the prepaid service provider before dialing the called party.

Abstract: The invention is intended to create a online charging method for an end user session comprising at least one first charging session and at least one second charging session. The invention is based on using a combination pricing plan as response to a number of different charging requests, and determining the charging by said combination pricing plan, by using during the end user session different proxy components to identify service requests according to different service identification request rules, each proxy component using individual service identification rules.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for processing data to complete a collect telephone call to a called-party that has prepaid an account to pay for the collect call. Data is received regarding a collect call from a caller to the called-party. Next it is determining whether the called party is associated with a prepaid account and the rate to be applied to the collect call. The rate to be applied to the call is increased by a tax rate and the data is sent regarding the call rate to be applied to the collect call so that the call can be completed between the called party and caller.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting service data between telecommunication devices. Pre-paid access data including a first digital key and control data is stored in a memory module of a telecommunication device, a second digital key being stored on one or more control units of the telecommunication network. A validity criterion is determined based on the control data, and service data of the first telecommunication device is encoded by the first key as long as the validity criterion is fulfilled. The encoded service data is transmitted to the control unit, decoded by the second digital key, and transmitted to another telecommunication device.

Abstract: A sponsor purchases a prepaid card that can be transmitted to an intended user with increased security. Using a prepaid card dispenser, the sponsor elects an amount for the prepaid card and is prompted for at least one telephone number at which a server platform should contact the sponsor when the intended user wants to authenticate the card. The sponsor may enter additional phone numbers that will be called if the sponsor does not answer the first number when called by the server platform. When an intended user has received the prepaid card, the intended user calls a telephone number associated with the server platform and is connected to the sponsor via a telephone bridge so that the sponsor may authenticate the intended user. The sponsor may then inform the server platform (e.g., via DTMF tones) that the card has been authenticated.

Abstract: An originating mobile switching center of an apparatus in one example handles one or more calls. A serving mobile switching center for a communication device on a call of the one or more calls passes control of the call to the originating mobile switching center. The originating mobile switching center triggers the call to a service node. The service node sends an initial trigger response to the originating mobile switching center that instructs the originating mobile switching center to redirect the call. The initial trigger response arms one or more triggers that support one or more services for the communication device. The one or more triggers comprise one or more of one or more switch based triggers and one or more subscriber based triggers exclusive of Calling_Routing_Addresss_Available, OAnswer, and ODisconnect triggers.

Abstract: A mobile switching center is configured with software instructions which allow it to continue to provide at least limited call termination and call origination services for mobile terminals in the event of a failure of a signaling link between the mobile switching center and a home location register and/or a signal control point (SCP) in an intelligent network. For pre-paid callers originating or terminating a call, the mobile switching center marks a call detail record as indicating that the call is a post-paid call. The call detail record is later provided to the SCP after the signaling link has been restored in order to bill the mobile terminal. In one example, the signaling link between the mobile switching center and the home location register or SCP may be a satellite link, which may go down for various reasons such as for maintenances, an unexpected failure, or the orbit of the satellite goes outside the field of reception of an antenna in the signal path.

Abstract: A prepaid information services card is provided for use in both wireline and wireless communications networks without the cardholder having to be a subscriber to a telecommunications service provider. The prepaid information services card may be used to access directory assistance and enhanced directory assistance information services such as weather information, traffic information, and stock information. A communications platform processes information service requests from cardholders, determines an appropriate information system for fulfilling the request, and communicates the results back to a user communication device associated with the cardholders The results may be communicated to one or more user communication devices in a number of output formats including text, audio, and video. Card usage statistics may be tracked and a facility provided for replenishing the prepaid card when a predetermined number of units falls below a threshold.

Abstract: A billing method and billing system to determine usage fees which are charged to the user of a digital telecommunications network, whereby a usage fee charged for a connection is determined prior to establishing this connection from statistical characteristics of previous connections of the user, is described. Usage fees are determined from a dynamic client profile, derived from one or multiple random variables of previous connections of the user, which is stored in memory and re-derived after each new customer connection. In a simple variant, the client profile contains a value proportional to the average price per connection or to the average duration of a connection of the user. The random variables used to derive the client profile include, for example, the connection duration, the time of day, the day of the week, and/or geographic characteristics of previous connections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a reseller to securely access and manage scratch cards at a recharge card management system that is maintained by the service provider. The service provider and reseller users of the recharge card management system can create a scratch card batch that is associated with the reseller account identification. The service provider and reseller users can search, view and modify scratch card data based on security and accessibility. Advantageously, the reseller or distributor can only manage and sell scratch card only to its own account identification, thus protecting such transactions against fraud.

Abstract: A method for customizing a prepaid service in a telecommunications system is presented. The method includes maintaining subscriber information on at least one prepaid subscriber, defining at least two different prepaid profiles, each prepaid profile defining at least one attribute for the prepaid service, the attribute indicating how the prepaid service is to be provided; associating the prepaid subscriber's subscriber information with one of the at least two different prepaid profiles, and providing the prepaid service to the prepaid subscriber as indicated by the attribute defined in the one prepaid profile associated with the prepaid subscriber's information. In other embodiments, there are provided a telecommunication system offering prepaid subscription services and a network element in a telecommunication system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a casual usage alternate billing. More particularly, the invention encompasses a method and an apparatus for casual usage alternate billing. The invention intercepts a call, especially a dial-around call, to either verify the existence of information in a database or to obtain and authenticate a mode of payment prior to allowing the call to proceed.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for registering and operating a wireless telephone in a roaming service area in which the wireless telephone is not registered for roaming services. When a wireless telephone is operated in a such a roaming service area, the roaming service provider whose services the wireless telephone must utilize in order to operate in the roaming service area informs the user of the wireless telephone through a recorded or live message that the wireless telephone may be used in the roaming service area if the user of the wireless telephone purchases and uses a prepaid utilization account offered by the roaming service provider. If the user purchases a prepaid card and loads a balance into a prepaid utilization account, a prepaid services system of the roaming service provider establishes a pseudo-telephone number for use by the wireless telephone in the roaming service area.

Abstract: A method of providing telephone response unit (TRU)-based services includes receiving from a point-of-sale (POS) device a request at a host computer system to activate TRU-based services. The request includes an identifier that indicates the specific TRU-based services to be activated. The method also includes confirming the availability of the specific TRU-based services to be activated and storing at the host computer system information that indicates the services are activated. The method also includes returning a message to the POS that indicates that the TRU-based services have been activated.

Abstract: A method for placing a telephone call from a caller using a prepaid phone card includes the steps of connecting a caller with a caller interface having a speech recognition application, receiving voice input from the caller in the form of phone card information spoken by the caller, comparing the voice input from the caller with personalized prepaid phone card information previously stored in a database and placing a requested telephone call if the voice input from the caller matches the personalized prepaid phone card information stored in the database. The personalized prepaid phone card information stored in the database may be a personal identification number (PIN) assigned to the caller's phone card and the voice input from the caller is in the form of a personal identification number (PIN) spoken by the caller. The speech recognition application then compares the spoken personal identification number with the personal identification number (PIN) stored in the database.

Abstract: A method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks, including accepting and processing a request from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types, verifying that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction and charging, in real time, an authorized account associated with the user as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: In a communications network, data that establishes a network agent's entitlement to network services is stored within the network agent and not within the network. Network services are provided to the network agent by storing network service authorization information and network service usage allowance information within a network agent, which the network agent transmits to the network when network service is requested. The network does not store an account balance for the network agent but instead stores authorization information and actual network service usage information for the network agent.

Abstract: A method and system for prepaying credits to a user account for communications services provided. If a system detects a predefined condition associated with a communications connection, the system deducts the cost of the communications connection from the credit in the user account. The predefined condition includes the origination of the communications connection from one of a plurality of predefined sources. Software for implementing the method may be implemented in a number of environments, including a computer system accessible remotely or a processor located on the user's telephone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing prepaid telecommunication services. More particularly, prepaid telephone calls can be made by users without entering any access code, if such calls are made from telephone numbers previously registered in the telecommunication system in connection with valid access codes. Prepaid telephone calls can also be made from non-registered telephone numbers after providing the telecommunication system with a valid access code.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a service accounting system containing one or more classified service accounts, in particular for mobile/cellular services. More specifically, a service accounting system connected to a main accounting system, part of a main account being transferable to a service account, and the use thereof are described. The invention provides a solution to deal with the accounting of differentiated services. In particular, a solution is provided to give users control over their expenses on a differentiated service basis. Also for service providers, a solution is provided to take actions on a differentiated services account basis.

Abstract: A set of multiple prepaid calling cards that are associated with a single account is disclosed. A predetermined amount of minutes is associated with the set of cards. Cards within the set can be used simultaneously and extract minutes from the account in predetermined increments. Each card can use the same Personal Identification Number (PIN) or each card can have its own unique PIN. In some instances, any card in the set can recharge the account, (i.e., add more minutes to the account), or in some embodiments, only a control card can add minutes to the account.

Abstract: A transaction processing platform capable of facilitating the distribution to consumers of various types of prepaid products is disclosed. The transaction processing platform is configured to interface with one or more providers of such prepaid products in order to facilitate the procurement or activation of the products. The platform includes a conduit interface through which service request messages are received and respectively utilized to generate transaction requests for corresponding types of prepaid services. A supply interface arrangement, operatively coupled to the conduit interface, is configured to route a first of the transaction requests through a first supply interface associated with a first type of prepaid service. The supply interface arrangement also routes a second transaction request through a second supply interface associated with a second type of prepaid service.

Abstract: A technique for providing flexible communication device usage attribution is provided. Identification information of a user of a communication device is received from the communication device at a primary service provider. It is determined if the user of the communication device is the owner of the communication device at the primary service provider. Usage information is attributed to an account of the owner on the primary service provider when the user is identified as the owner. Usage information is attributed to an account of the user when the user is not identified as the owner and the user is subscribed to one of the primary service provider and a service provider associated with the primary service provider.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of changing a balance of a subscriber (MS1 . . . MS6) belonging to a subscriber group (G1, G2) of a telecommunication network. The invention comprises forming at least one subscriber group (G1, G2) comprising two or more subscribers (MS1 . . . MS6), forming a prepaid balance for each subscriber (MS1 . . . MS6), which prepaid balance is charged when services of the telecommunication network are used, and determining at least one subscriber (MS1 . . . MS6) in the group as a master subscriber, who has a right to carry out money transfers (3-14) between the prepaid balances of the members (MS1 . . . MS6) in the group.

Abstract: A system and method of providing long distance service products to users. Post-paid debit calling cards are purchased on-line by a customer or user and the user is billed monthly, along with other service charges. The calling card account, however, is debited as it is used. Since the fee for the account is charged against an existing customer account, fraudulent purchases are reduced. In an embodiment, the purchaser is provided access to a restricted web page on the Internet using a user name and password, where the user name and password are associated with the customer's account. Once accessed, the user is able to purchase “post-paid debit calling cards.” Upon sending a request to purchase such a calling card, the user is provided a toll free number and PIN. Subsequently, the purchase is logged and the fee is added to the customer's monthly bill.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for electronic purchase of prepaid telephone services is provided. An initiating terminal receives input of a customer's request to purchase a specified amount of prepaid telephone services and receives input of the customer's designation of a financial account from which to electronically debit the price of such purchase. A central terminal receives these inputs from the initiating terminal, obtains authorization for the request, and transmits data to the initiating terminal for the initiating terminal to, in turn, print on a receipt and provide to the customer. This receipt is then used instead of a telephone card to obtain telephone services up to the specified amount. Such receipt may also detail instructions and an authorization number, such as a personal identification number or PIN, to initiate the pre-paid telephone service.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically routing a long distance call placed by a subscriber to a prepaid service provider. Methods are discussed for allowing the prepaid subscriber to directly dial a called party's long distance telephone number, and then routing the placed call to a prepaid service. The subscriber, in each case, is not required to first dial the telephone number of the prepaid service provider before dialing the called party.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing access to a voice mailbox associated with a pre-paid mobile phone subscriber's account after the expiration of the subscriber's credits. A call processing system may be configured to receive a call from a calling party and to connect the call to a voice mailbox system. The call processing system may allow the calling party to record a voice message that can subsequently be accessed by the subscriber for an access fee. The call processing center may also be configured to allow the calling party to add credit to the subscriber's account. Access fees are paid and credits are added to the account by way of pre-paid calling cards, smart cards, credit cards, debit cards, electronic fund transfers.

Abstract: A pre-paid telecommunications card service in which the card-holder can register the card with a service provider in such a way that the card account becomes associated with the customer's home telephone line. Thereafter, toll calls made over that particular telephone line are automatically charged to the pre-paid card account when a destination telephone number is dialed. The card-holder is therefore freed from having to dial an access number or a card number for each call. The call accounting is carried out in a database with which network switches communicate via SS7 or any other desired data messaging protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information to a mobile unit user in response to requests made by the user. An exemplary system may allow a cellular phone user to retrieve text and/or image files, for example, by accessing an interactive voice response (IVR) system, which generates and sends SMS, MMS and/or WAP messages to the cellular phone based on information identification codes and/or other input entered into the IVR by the user. In some embodiments of the invention, no prior setup is required by the mobile unit user in order to receive the requested information.

Abstract: A prepaid communications system includes a wireless call handling device for receiving wireless calls from wireless customers, a packet data serving node for receiving wireless packet data calls from the wireless call handling device and transmitting the calls to a communications network and an administration system in communication with the packet data serving node. Upon a wireless customer originating a wireless call, the wireless call handling device receives the wireless call and transmits the wireless call to the packet data serving node. The packet data serving node accesses the administration system with identification information input by the customer to obtain a call access authorization for the customer. The administration system transmits the call access authorization to the packet data serving node, the call access authorization including a prepaid volume record indicating an amount of prepaid units available for use by the customer and processing instructions.

Abstract: Method and system for handling a service request from an originating station (ST-A) to a terminating station (ST-B) in a telecommunications system managing service logic for accounting information for payment of services. A service request is received from an originating station (ST-A) indicating an identifier of a terminating station (ST-B). The service request is checked against number portability information related to the identifier of the terminating station (ST-B), and against accounting information of the originating station (ST-A). The service can proceed without further queries for number portability. A service request is received for a terminating station (ST-B) indicating an identifier of an originating station (ST-A). Accounting information of the terminating station (ST-B) is updated according to number portability information related to the identifier of the originating station (ST-A).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for managing a prepaid wireless account for voice and data communications services. According to one embodiment the communications system, having a prepaid architecture for managing a plurality of prepaid wireless accounts for communication services, wherein each prepaid account is associated with a prepaid subscriber comprises a wireless network including a mobile switch, in communication with a wireless device, the wireless device for remotely managing at least one of the prepaid accounts. The communications system also comprises a wide area network including a prepaid account database for storing records assigned to subscribers of prepaid communications services; a prepaid application module for initializing and updating the prepaid accounts; a credit card transaction server, coupled to a credit card database, for checking available credit; and a prepaid server coupled to the prepaid account database and the prepaid application module.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method is for allowing a mobile subscriber to negotiate via a mobile terminal a trade of minutes by category according to a predetermined exchange rate as set forth by a service provider.

Abstract: In a system including a telematics unit and a data center, a method for automatically replenishing pre-paid calling units within the telematics is based on an occurrence of a trigger event as detected by the telematics units. Upon being notified of the trigger event, the data center automatically uploads a replenishment package to the telematics unit or uploads a replenishment package selected by the telematics unit.