System, method and computer program product for prepaid and wireless voice communication and IP

• US 20010051931A1
• Filed: 06/11/2001
• Published: 12/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amdocs Development Limited (Amdocs Ltd.), Amdocs Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Amdocs Ltd.
• Inventors: Schweitzer, Limor
• Granted Patent: US 8,515,860 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/65
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/16 Payments settled via telecommunication systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/36 using electronic wallets or electronic money safes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/367 involving electronic purses or money safes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 Architecture for metering, charging or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/44 Augmented, consolidated or itemized billing statement or bill presentation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/52 for operator independent billing system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/53 : using mediation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 : for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 : Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0104 : Augmented, consolidated or itemised billing statement, e.g. additional billing information, bill presentation, layout, format, e-mail, fax, printout, itemised bill per service or per account, cumulative billing, consolidated billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 : Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0172 : Mediation, i.e. device or program to reformat CDRS from one or more switches in order to adapt to one or more billing programs formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 : Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2033 : WLAN
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 : Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/44 : Charging/billing arrangements for connection made over different networks, e.g. wireless and PSTN, ISDN, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 : Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are provided for affording a digital wallet for Internet Protocol (IP) usage utilizing a wireless network. Initially, a request is received for a debit account. Such request includes payment for such debit account. In response to the request, the debit account is enabled. Payment for wireless network voice communication over a wireless network is then collected by billing against the debit account. Further, payment for IP usage is collected by billing against the debit account. Such IP usage is carried out using the wireless network.

Claims

1. A method for providing a digital wallet for Internet Protocol (IP) usage utilizing a wireless network, comprising:

(a) receiving a request for a debit account including payment therefor;

(b) enabling the debit account in response to the request;

(c) collecting payment for wireless network voice communication over a wireless network by billing against the debit account; and

(d) collecting payment for IP usage by billing against the debit account, wherein the IP usage is carried out using the wireless network.

2. The method as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the request is received via a mobile cellular hand set, and the debit account is enabled by a human operator.

3. The method as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the wireless network voice communication uses the wireless network via a mobile cellular handset.

4. The method as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the wireless network voice communication uses Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).

5. The method as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the IP usage includes data transfer utilizing IP.

6. The method as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the IP usage includes payment for goods or services utilizing IP.

7. The method as recited in

claim 1

, and further comprising transferring the payment from a previous debit account before enabling the debit account in response to the request.

8. The method as recited in

claim 1

, wherein a balance of the debit account is updated in real-time.

9. The method as recited in

claim 8

, wherein an alert is sent to a user upon the debit account falling below a predetermined amount.

10. The method as recited in

claim 8

, wherein the wireless network voice communication and the IP usage is discontinued upon the debit account falling below a predetermined amount.

11. The method as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the payment is received via a credit account.

12. The method as recited in

claim 1

, and further comprising the step of limiting the wireless network voice communication and the IP usage based on a user-defined threshold.

13. The method as recited in

claim 12

, wherein the user-defined threshold limitation expires after a predetermined time period.

14. The method as recited in

claim 12

, wherein the user-defined threshold limitation expires upon receipt of a key.

15. The method as recited in

claim 14

, wherein another user may engage in the wireless network voice communication and the IP usage upon receipt of the key.

16. The method as recited in

claim 1

, wherein a plurality of users may engage in the wireless network voice communication and the IP usage using a single debit account.

17. The method as recited in

claim 16

, and further comprising the step of limiting the wireless network voice communication and the IP usage for each of the users based on a single threshold associated with the debit account.

18. A computer program product for providing a digital wallet for Internet Protocol (IP) usage utilizing a wireless network, comprising:

(a) computer code for receiving a request for a debit account including payment therefor;

(b) computer code for enabling the debit account in response to the request;

(c) computer code for collecting payment for wireless network voice communication over a wireless network by billing against the debit account; and

(d) computer code for collecting payment for IP usage by billing against the debit account, wherein the IP usage is carried out using the wireless network.

19. The computer program product as recited in

claim 18

, wherein the request is received via a mobile cellular hand set, and the debit account is enabled by a human operator.

20. The computer program product as recited in

claim 18

, wherein the wireless network voice communication uses the wireless network via a mobile cellular handset.

21. The computer program product as recited in

claim 18

, wherein the wireless network voice communication uses Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).

22. The computer program product as recited in

claim 18

, wherein the IP usage includes data transfer utilizing IP.

23. The computer program product as recited in

claim 18

, wherein the IP usage includes payment for goods or services utilizing IP.

24. The computer program product as recited in

claim 18

, and further comprising computer code for transferring the payment from a previous debit account before enabling the debit account in response to the request..

25. The computer program product as recited in

claim 18

, wherein a balance of the debit account is updated in real-time.

26. The computer program product as recited in

claim 25

, wherein an alert is sent to a user upon the debit account falling below a predetermined amount.

27. The computer program product as recited in

claim 25

, wherein the wireless network voice communication and the IP usage is discontinued upon the debit account falling below a predetermined amount.

28. The computer program product as recited in

claim 18

, wherein the payment is received via a credit account.

29. The computer program product as recited in

claim 18

, and further comprising computer code for limiting the wireless network voice communication and the IP usage based on a user-defined threshold.

30. The computer program product as recited in

claim 29

, wherein the user-defined threshold limitation expires after a predetermined time period.

31. The computer program product as recited in

claim 29

, wherein the user-defined threshold limitation expires upon receipt of a key.

32. The computer program product as recited in

claim 31

, wherein another user may engage in the wireless network voice communication and the IP usage upon receipt of the key.

33. The computer program product as recited in

claim 18

, wherein a plurality of users may engage in the wireless network voice communication and the IP usage using a single debit account.

34. The computer program product as recited in

claim 33

, and further comprising computer code for limiting the wireless network voice communication and the IP usage for each of the users based on a single threshold associated with the debit account.

35. A system for providing a digital wallet for Internet Protocol (IP) usage utilizing a wireless network, comprising:

(a) logic for receiving a request for a debit account including payment therefor;

(b) logic for enabling the debit account in response to the request;

(c) logic for collecting payment for wireless network voice communication over a wireless network by billing against the debit account; and

(d) logic for collecting payment for IP usage by billing against the debit account, wherein the IP usage is carried out using the wireless network.

36. A method for providing a digital wallet for Internet Protocol (IP) usage utilizing a wireless network, comprising:

(a) receiving a request for a debit account from a user utilizing a mobile communication unit;

(b) receiving an account identifier associated with a previous account of the user which is adapted solely for voice communications;

(c) authenticating an identity of the user;

(d) enabling a debit account;

(e) transferring monies associated with the previous account to the debit account;

(f) collecting payment for wireless network voice communication over a wireless network by billing against the debit account; and

(g) collecting payment for IP usage by billing against the debit account, wherein the IP usage is carried out using the wireless network.