System and method for providing sponsored or universal telecommunications service and third party payer services

• US 20030076940A1
• Filed: 09/05/2002
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freetech, LLC
• Original Assignee: Freetech, LLC
• Inventors: Manto, Charles L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,788,771 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/114.05
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/09 Third party charged communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/57 for integrated multimedia messaging subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/201 automatic recharging with predetermined amount at threshold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/22 with automatic recharging of account/card, e.g. if limit is reached during connection the account is recharged automatically
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/26 with real-time recharging of account/card, e.g. if limit is reached during connection user is asked if he wants to recharge or not
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0192 Sponsored, subsidised calls via advertising, e.g. calling cards with ads or connecting to special ads, free calling time by purchasing goods
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/208 IMS, i.e. Integrated Multimedia messaging Subsystem
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/66 Third party billing, i.e. third party can also be the predetermined telephone line of the caller if he is calling from another telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/82 Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation

Abstract

A method of operating a telecommunications device wherein the telecommunications device is used to detect an outgoing call from a calling party to a called number. The calling number is used to determine whether or not the calling party is a universal service user. If it is determined that the called number is among a class of numbers exempt from charges, the call is connected. A determination on the sufficiency of funds in a pre-paid account is made. If it is determined that there are insufficient funds in a pre-paid account to cover charges associated with the outgoing call, a message is generated and sent to the calling party or a third party requesting authorization to charge an additional fee for connecting the calling party with the called party and providing related information or application services. User input is received from the calling party, indicating the calling party'"'"'s authorization of such charge. The connection between the calling party and the called party is made. In an alternative embodiment, costs for providing data communications and related application services between an initiating party and a universal service user are calculated, in response to a request by the initiating party, in accordance with the network elements required for a requested quality of service.

Claims

1. A method of operating a telecommunications device, comprising the steps of:

detecting an incoming call or data message from a calling party to a called party; and

using a called number or identifier to determine whether said called party is a universal service user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using a called number or identifier to determine the quality level of connecting to a flow-based steering and cost modeling system approved for a user.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using a called number or identifier to determine one or a plurality of current sponsors or payers of that called number service in order to prepare and make a request for additional funds.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using a called number to determine, as necessary, the location of the sponsored user.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using called number or identifier to provide free security applications such as free digital signatures, PKI or encryption services.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating and sending a message to the calling party requesting authorization to charge said calling party an additional fee for connecting an additional party.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating a message to a sponsor requesting funding for the accompanying application to said called party.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating and sending a message to said calling party offering participation as a sponsor for the current and subsequent calls of this type for the sponsored party.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using calling number or identifier, to provide free security applications such as free digital signatures, PKI, biometrics, or encryption services.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating and sending a message to the calling party requesting authorization to charge said calling party an additional fee for connecting an additional party.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating a message to a sponsor requesting funding for the accompanying application, service or product to said called party;

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating and sending a message to said calling party offering participation as a sponsor for the current and subsequent calls of this type for the sponsored party.

14. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of using a telecommunications device comprises the step of using a central office switch.

15. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of using a telecommunications device comprises the step of using an intelligent peripheral connected to a central office switching system.

16. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of using a telecommunications device comprises using a tandem switch.

17. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of using a telecommunications device comprises using a cable television network.

18. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of using a telecommunications device comprises using a satellite system.

19. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of using a telecommunications device comprises using an intelligent user device such as a phone, computer, or monitoring device with either routing or switching capabilities built into it.

20. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of using a telecommunications devices comprises using a private network switch or PBX.

21. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of using a telecommunications device comprises using a virtual private network.

40. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of using a telecommunications device comprises the step of using an intelligent peripheral connected to an identification verification service.

41. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of using a telecommunications device comprises the step of using a PBX, wireless PBX or virtual PBX.

42. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of using a telecommunications device comprises the step of using a network device for wireline local loop service or private network connections.

45. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of using a telecommunications device comprises the step of using a telecommunications account, phone card account or virtual phone card account, which allows the sponsored user to be identified separately from or in addition to a specific telecommunications device.

46. The method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said step of using a telecommunications device comprises the step of using a telecommunications account, phone card account or virtual phone card account, which allows the sponsored user to be identified separately from or in addition to a specific telecommunications device.

47. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of allowing a third party to restrict the communicating parties that are available to the sponsored user by entering the phone numbers, e-mail addresses, or websites of the allowed communicating parties into a database, directory or repository.

49. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of allowing a third party to restrict the services or objects that are available to the sponsored user by entering an identifier, speed dial number or voice recognizable name of an allowed service into a database, directory or repository and having the software provide the sponsored user the choice of using the allowed service by use of an identifier, speed dial number or voice recognized name of an allowed service.

51. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said incoming call is a voice call and its applications require additional funding or approval.

52. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said incoming call is a data call and its applications require additional funding or approval.

60. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of determining whether said called party is a universal service user comprises the step of using a secure identifier.

62. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of determining whether said called party is a universal service user further comprises the step of using a secure identifier.

64. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of using codes and speed dial numbers for allowed calling parties access only to those called parties allowed by sponsors to be contacted and only using those services provided to users by the sponsor or sponsors.

65. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of restricting incoming calls whether voice, data, or multimedia, to those calls intended by a sponsor.

22. A method of operating a telecommunications device, comprising the steps of:

detecting an outgoing call or data message from a calling party to a called party; and

,

using an originating number or identifier to determine whether the calling party is a universal service user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge.

5. The method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of using a calling number to determine, as necessary, the location of the calling party needing services and/or additional funding so that a request for additional services and/or funds can be made.

23. A method in accordance with claim 22 further comprising the step of using an individual identifier, PIN number, biometric, digital signature or secure means of identification, to determine whether said calling party is a universal service user for whom service is provided at no charge.

24. A method in accordance with claim 22 further comprising the step of using a calling number, or identifier to determine the quality level of sponsored service approved for that sponsored user.

25. A method in accordance with claim 22 further comprising the step of using a calling number or identifier to determine one or more of the current sponsors or payers of that called number service in order to prepare a request for additional funds.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of using a called number to determine, as necessary, the location of the sponsored user

27. A method in accordance with claim 22 further comprising the step of using a calling number to determine, as necessary, the location of the calling party needing services and/or additional funding so that a request for additional services and/or funds can be made.

28. A method in accordance with claim 22 further comprising the step of using a calling number or identifier to provide security applications, biometrics, digital signatures and PKI or encryption services.

29. A method in accordance with claim 22 further comprising the step of generating and sending a message to said calling party requesting authorization to charge a separate sponsoring party an additional fee for connecting an additional party.

30. A method in accordance with claim 22 further comprising the step of generating a message requesting funding for the accompanying application, service, or product to calling party.

31. A method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of generating a message requesting funding for the accompanying application, service, or product to the calling party'"'"'s sponsor.

32. A method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of generating and sending a message to a calling party offering participation as a sponsor for the current and subsequent calls of this type for the sponsored party.

33. A method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of generating and sending a message to a non-participating third party to allow the sponsored user during the communication to accept delivery of a value added service or product, such as information services.

34. A method of in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of generating and sending a message to a calling party requesting authorization to charge said calling party to connect and pay for an accompanying service.

35. A method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of generating or sending a message to a third party requesting an additional fee for connecting said calling party to a called party and paying for the accompanying application.

36. A method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of generating and sending a message to a sponsor offering participation as a sponsor for subsequent calls and communications.

43. The method in accordance with claim 22, wherein said step of using a telecommunications device comprises the step of using a network device for wireless local loop service and attendant automatic location information.

44. The method in accordance with claim 22, wherein said step of using a telecommunications device comprises the step of using a network device for wireline long distance service whether over public or private networks.

48. The method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of allowing a third party to restrict the communicating parties that are available to the sponsored user by entering the phone numbers, e-mail addresses, or websites of the allowed communicating parties into a database, directory or repository.

50. The method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of allowing a third party to restrict the services that are available to the sponsored user by entering an identifier, speed dial number or voice recognizable name of an allowed service into a database, directory, or repository and having the software provide the sponsored user the choice of using the allowed service by use of an identifier, speed dial number or voice recognized name of an allowed service.

53. The method in accordance with claim 22, wherein said data call contains multimedia content and its applications requiring additional funding or approval.

66. The method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of restricting the availability of services or products to those chosen by a sponsor through the use of codes.

67. The method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of restricting the quality of services or products to those chosen by a sponsor through the use of codes.

68. The method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of restricting the duration of services or products to those chosen by a sponsor through the use of codes.

69. The method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of restricting the bandwidth that chosen by a sponsor through the use of codes.

70. The method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the step of restricting the availability of applications to those chosen by a sponsor through the use of codes.

37. A method of generating an additional interactive request for additional funding of communications services and/or applications supported by a communications routine, comprising the steps of:

monitoring a plurality communicating parties for a signal indicating that an additional service and/or application is requested,

checking a database to see if the service and/or application is provided by the sponsor; and

determining if the service and/or application is funded and if the services and/or applications are not funded connecting to the sponsor to request additional funds and/or services.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the communications service and/or application may be provided from either a public or private network.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein the step of determining if the service and/or application is funded, further comprises the step of determining whether sufficient funds exist in a pre-paid account of the calling party, the called party or a third party to cover charges associated with the call and its applications.

54. A method for provisioning data services to customers comprising the steps of:

receiving a request from an initiating party to conduct telecommunications with a receiving party at a specified time; and

determining whether said receiving party is a universal or sponsored service user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge.

55. A method in accordance with claim 54, further comprising the step of calculating a cost for provisioning a quality of service necessary to support said requested data communications.

56. A method in accordance with claim 54, further comprising the step of determining the cost of accompanying applications at said specified time.

57. A method in accordance with claim 54, further comprising the steps of:

generating and sending a message to said initiating party requesting authorization to charge a fee for connecting said calling party to said called party;

receiving user input from said initiating party indicating said initiating party'"'"'s authorization to charge said fee; and

,

provisioning data services to support said requested data communications at said specified time.

58. The method in accordance with claim 54 of calculating a cost for provisioning a quality of service supporting the accompanying applications further comprising the step of assessing the network elements and quality of service necessary to support said requested data communications.

59. The method in accordance with claim 54 wherein said step of calculating a cost for provisioning a quality of service further comprises a step of assessing a market demand on said network elements at said specified time.

61. The method in accordance with claim 54, wherein said secure identifier comprises a PIN code, digital signature, pseudo-random number generator, biometric or video transmission.

63. The method in accordance with claim 57, wherein said secure identifier comprises a PIN code, digital signature, pseudo-random number generator, biometric or video transmission.

71. In an information network, a method for patient or environmental monitoring comprising:

distributing secured communications agents throughout the network;

enabling the secured communications agents to monitor the network for signals indicating a triggering event;

enabling the secured communications agents to communicate with one another;

collecting information gathered from the secured communications agents.

72. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of enabling the secured communications agents to communicate with one another.

73. The method in accordance with claim 71 wherein the secured communication agents and associated applications are approved and/or paid for by sponsors.

74. The method in accordance with claim 73, further comprising the steps of

connecting to a called party'"'"'s number;

providing options of services that can be chosen at a fee;

receiving input indicating selection of one or a plurality of the options;

checking the input against a sponsored user'"'"'s database to determine if the service is approved; and

delivering or denying each of the secured communications agents and associated applications depending on approval.