Abstract: Automatic number identification (ANI) data or billing telephone number (BTN) data associated with a subscriber account of a telecommunications network is obtained. Thereafter, first reference subscriber data associated with a subscriber is obtained. The first reference subscriber data is different from the ANI data or the BTN data. A first database location is accessed using the ANI data or the BTN data to determine second reference subscriber data. A second database location is accessed using the ANI data or BTN data to determine that the subscriber account associated with the ANI data or BTN data is billable. The first reference subscriber data and the second reference subscriber data are compared, and the identity of the subscriber verified if the first reference subscriber data corresponds to the second reference subscriber data.

Abstract: The computer-implemented method includes receiving a first request via the Internet for a first transaction between a user and a vendor for goods or services. A billing telephone number of the user is then obtained, and the first transaction automatically charged to a subscriber account associated with the billing telephone number. Sometime later, a second request is received via the Internet for a second transaction between the user and a vendor for goods or services. If the second transaction cannot be billed to the subscriber account, an alternative payment method is automatically used.

Abstract: A method is described of providing validation data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunication network using a validation system. The method includes obtaining line data of the subscriber line wherein the line data is suitable for interrogating a line identification database (LIDB). The method interrogates the LIDB with the line data to obtain reference subscriber data associated with the line data, and processes the reference subscriber data to obtain validation data associated with the subscriber line. The method includes identifying a local exchange carrier (LEC) associated with the subscriber line to determine if a billing arrangement exists between the validation system and the LEC. The invention extends to a subscriber line validation system to validate a subscriber line of a communication network.

Abstract: A method is described of providing validation data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunication network using a validation system. The method includes obtaining line data of the subscriber line wherein the line data is suitable for interrogating a line identification database (LIDB). The method interrogates the LIDB with the line data to obtain reference subscriber data associated with the line data, and processes the reference subscriber data to obtain validation data associated with the subscriber line. The method includes identifying a local exchange carrier (LEC) associated with the subscriber line to determine if a billing arrangement exists between the validation system and the LEC. The invention extends to a subscriber line validation system to validate a subscriber line of a communication network.

Abstract: A method is described of providing validation data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunication network using a validation system. The method includes obtaining line data of the subscriber line wherein the line data is suitable for interrogating a line identification database (LIDB). The method interrogates the LIDB with the line data to obtain reference subscriber data associated with the line data, and processes the reference subscriber data to obtain validation data associated with the subscriber line. The method includes identifying a local exchange carrier (LEC) associated with the subscriber line to determine if a billing arrangement exists between the validation system and the LEC. The invention extends to a subscriber line validation system to validate a subscriber line of a communication network.

Abstract: A method is described to verify the identity of a user. The method, in one example embodiment, comprises obtaining automatic number identification (ANI) data or billing telephone number (BTN) data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunications network; obtaining identification data associated with a subscriber, said identification data being different from the ANI data or the BTN data; searching a first database using the ANI data or the BTN data to determine first reference subscriber data; searching a second database using the identification data to determine second reference subscriber data; comparing the first reference subscriber data to the second reference subscriber data; and verifying an identity of the subscriber based on the comparing.

Abstract: A method of, and system for, processing payment for a transaction is provided. The method includes providing a user with an option to select payment for the transaction from an account associated with a communication line via which an electronic terminal is connected to a communication network. The communication line is typically a subscriber line and, accordingly, the account is a telephone account associated with the subscriber line. When a user transacts with a vendor for goods and/or services, the user may request to process payment using the telephone account instead of using a credit or debit card. The method includes investigating data using the telephone number associated with the subscriber line and, selectively approving the transaction dependent upon an outcome of the investigation. The invention extends to a transaction processor interface and to and a transaction validation module. The invention also extends to computer program products including the invention.

Abstract: A system to automatically block a telephone number is provided. The system, in one example embodiment, comprises a detecting module to detect a refused telephone call; a counter to be adjusted (e.g., incremented) in response to the refused telephone call; a processing module to determine a value of the counter; and a blocking module to block the telephone number based on the value of the counter. The counter is incremented in response to each refused telephone call.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system to detect a multi-party telephone call, in one example embodiment, comprises a communication module to establish a telephone call to a requested telephone number, a detection module to detect an indication of a multi-party telephone call in progress, the indication being based on observing a period of silence transgressing a predetermined threshold. The system to detect a multi-party telephone call further comprises an interruption module to obtain, from a called party associated with the requested telephone number, a reference telephone number, a comparison module to compare the reference telephone number to the requested telephone number, and a terminating module to selectively terminate the telephone call based on the comparing.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system to provide a cashless refund, in one example embodiment, comprises a receiving module to receive a balance of a correctional facility account associated with a pre-released inmate information, a funds generator to generate a pre-released inmate payout amount based on the balance, a card dispenser to dispense a payout card in response to a pre-released inmate imminent release, the payout card including an encoded payout card number, a card activating module to activate the payout card by receiving the payout card into a payout card reader and associating a pre-released inmate information with the encoded payout card number, and a communication module to communicate to a card processor the pre-released inmate payout amount and that the payout card has been activated.

Abstract: A method of, and system for, processing payment for a transaction is provided. The method includes providing a user with an option to select payment for the transaction from an account associated with a communication line via which an electronic terminal is connected to a communication network. The communication line is typically a subscriber line and, accordingly, the account is a telephone account associated with the subscriber line. When a user transacts with a vendor for goods and/or services, the user may request to process payment using the telephone account instead of using a credit or debit card. The method includes investigating data using the telephone number associated with the subscriber line and, selectively approving the transaction dependent upon an outcome of the investigation. The invention extends to a transaction processor interface and to and a transaction validation module. The invention also extends to computer program products including the invention.

Abstract: A method is described of providing validation data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunication network using a validation system. The method includes obtaining line data of the subscriber line wherein the line data is suitable for interrogating a line identification database (LIDB). The method interrogates the LIDB with the line data to obtain reference subscriber data associated with the line data, and processes the reference subscriber data to obtain validation data associated with the subscriber line. The method includes identifying a local exchange carrier (LEC) associated with the subscriber line to determine if a billing arrangement exists between the validation system and the LEC. The invention extends to a subscriber line validation system to validate a subscriber line of a communication network.

Abstract: A method to validate a payment method for a sale via the Internet includes communicating selection data to a remote user terminal wherein the selection data provides the user with an option to select an ANI capture mechanism. The ANI capture method may include one or more of receiving a user-initiated communication, and initiating a communication with a telephone line number associated with a valid billing telephone number. The invention extends to transaction processing system and to merchant network equipment and transaction processing equipment.

Abstract: A method of, and system for, processing payment for a transaction is provided. The method includes providing a user with an option to select payment for the transaction from an account associated with a communication line via which an electronic terminal is connected to a communication network. The communication line is typically a subscriber line and, accordingly, the account is a telephone account associated with the subscriber line. When a user transacts with a vendor for goods and/or services, the user may request to process payment using the telephone account instead of using a credit or debit card. The method includes investigating data using the telephone number associated with the subscriber line and, selectively approving the transaction dependent upon an outcome of the investigation. The invention extends to a transaction processor interface and to and a transaction validation module. The invention also extends to computer program products including the invention.

Abstract: A method is described of providing validation data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunication network. The method includes obtaining line data of the subscriber line wherein the line data is suitable for interrogating a line identification database (LIDB). The method interrogates the LIDB with the line data to obtain reference subscriber data associated with the line data, and processes the reference subscriber data to obtain validation data associated with the subscriber line. The invention extends to a subscriber line validation system to validate a subscriber line of a communication network.