Revolving credit method of charging for telecommunication services

• US 20020091601A1
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wattenbarger, Blake Lane, Hsiao, Tung-Hai, Fellingham, Paul James
• Application Number:
  US09/755,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20020091601A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• 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 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/103 using SIMs (USIMs) or calling cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/106 using commercial credit or debit cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/12 using calling, telephone credit/debit cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/14 using commercial credit/debit cards, e.g. VISA, AMEX
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0116 Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/54 Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts

Abstract

The present invention provides a revolving credit method for charging customers for telecommunications services. According to one embodiment, a customer is provided with an initial credit limit, which is debited as the customer utilizes telecommunications services. The customer is not required to pay for used telecommunications services until the credit limit reaches zero. Once the limit reaches zero, the telecommunication'"'"'s service provider will charge the initial credit limit amount on the customer'"'"'s credit card and inform the customer that the credit is zero. If the customer wants to continue with the service, the service provider may initiate another round of credit. According to one embodiment, in order to clear pending balances, a time limit is associated with the credit.

Claims

1. A method of charging for telecommunication services comprising the steps of:

storing a balance value and a threshold value relating to at least one customer;

monitoring a call usage pertaining to the at least one customer;

updating the balance value pertaining to a customer based upon the call usage of the customer;

if the balance value one of falls below the threshold value and exceeds the threshold value, executing the steps of;

billing the customer for the call usage.

2. The method according to claim 1, further including the steps of:

prompting the customer for authorization to accept an additional credit value; and

,

updating the balance value to reflect the additional credit value.

3. The method according to claim 1, further including the steps of:

updating the balance value to reflect a predefined additional credit value.

4. The method according to claim 1, further including the steps of:

if the customer has not been billed at least once during a time period, executing the steps of;

billing the customer for the call usage; and

,

updating the balance value to reflect the call usage.

5. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of adjusting the threshold value based upon a previous usage pattern.

6. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of terminating the call usage and inactivating an account of the customer.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the customer is billed an amount equal to the threshold value prior to the call usage.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the customer is associated with an account number and PIN (“

Personal Identification Number”

),

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the customer is automatically identified by an identity of an associated telephone line.

10. A system for charging for telecommunications services comprising:

at least one telecommunications node for receiving a call, wherein each of the at least one telecommunications nodes includes;

a processor, wherein the processor is adapted to;

store a balance value and a threshold value pertaining to at least one customer;

monitor a call usage pertaining to the at least one customer;

update the balance value based upon the call usage;

if the balance value one of falls below the threshold value and exceeds the threshold value, execute the step of;

bill the customer for the call usage.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

prompt the customer for authorization to accept an additional credit value; and

,

update the balance value to reflect the additional credit value.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further adapted to update the balance value to reflect a predefined credit value.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further adapted to if the customer has not been billed at least once during a time period:

bill the customer for the call usage; and

,

update the balance value to reflect the call usage.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further adapted to adjust the threshold value based on a previous usage pattern.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further adapted to terminate the call usage for the customer and deactivate an account associated with the customer.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further adapted to authenticate the customer based upon an account number and PIN associated with the customer.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further adapted to authenticate the customer based upon an identity of a telephone line associated with the customer.