Destination device billing according to call recipient

• US 20030112935A1
• Filed: 12/17/2001
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PayPal, Inc. (PayPal Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Winters, Scott Lee, Paolini, Michael A., Brown, Michael Wayne, Weaver, James Mark, McIntyre, Joseph Herbert
• Granted Patent: US 6,977,998 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/114.21
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2208/26 Gel breakers other than bacteria or enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2208/30 Viscoelastic surfactants [VES]
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/68 containing organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/48 Secure or trusted billing, e.g. trusted elements or encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/73 Validating charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/765 Linked or grouped accounts, e.g. of users or devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/77 involving multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/90 using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1058 Shopping and product ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6009 Personal information, e.g. profiles or personal directories being only provided to authorised persons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6045 Identity confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6054 Biometric subscriber identification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0152 General billing plans, rate plans, e.g. charge rates, numbering plans, rate centers, customer accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0156 Secure and trusted billing, e.g. trusted elements, encryption, digital signature, codes or double check mechanisms to secure billing calculation and information
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/016 Billing using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0168 On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/68 Billing calls completely to the calling party, except POTS, e.g. charge on caller's choice service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7072 Validate charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/724 : Linked accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7254 : Multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 : using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 : where the identifier is used to access a profile

Abstract

A method, system, and program for billing for service provided to destination device according to the calling plan of the individual receiving the call. An authenticated identity for a callee answering a call placed to a destination device is received at an intermediary device. The intermediary device then accesses a billing plan for the authenticated identity of the callee and loads the billing plan for specifying charges for the call, such that telephone service billed to the callee is accessible at multiple destination devices.

Claims

1. A method for billing for telephone services, said method comprising:

receiving, from an origin device, a destination line number for processing a call;

loading a profile for a line subscriber of said destination line number, wherein said profile comprises a line subscriber billing plan for said destination line number; and

responsive to detecting an answer to said call at a destination device accessible via said destination line number, authenticating an identity of a callee receiving said call;

replacing said line subscriber billing plan with a callee billing plan associated with said authenticated identity of said callee, such that said callee receiving said call is billed for services requested by said callee for said call.

2. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, wherein authenticating an identity of a callee further comprises:

authenticating said identity of said callee according to a voice utterance provided by said callee.

3. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, wherein authenticating an identity of a callee further comprises:

initiating authentication of said identity of said callee at said origin device.

4. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, wherein authenticating an identity of a callee further comprises:

initiating authentication of said identity of said callee at an intermediary device processing said call.

5. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, wherein authenticating an identity of a callee further comprises:

initiating authentication of said identity of said callee at said destination device.

6. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an off-hook condition of said origin device at a service provider within an intermediary device;

initiating a register for said call;

determining a destination service provider within said intermediary device responsible for service of said destination line number;

switching said call to said destination service provider;

establishing a destination register for said call with said destination service provider;

loading a destination line subscriber profile associated with said destination line number into said destination register, wherein said destination line subscriber profile comprises a billing plan for a destination line subscriber;

extending said call to said destination device; and

in response to receiving a callee profile associated with said identity of said callee, wherein said callee profile comprises a callee billing plan, replacing said destination line subscriber profile in said destination register with said callee profile, such that billing for service provided for said call is to said callee.

7. The method for billing for telephone service according to claim 1, further comprising:

controlling at least one particular service provided for said call according to said at least one particular service selected in a callee profile accessible according to said authenticated identity of said caller.

8. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, further comprising:

transferring said call to a service provider associated with said destination line number.

9. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, further comprising:

billing said callee for an order placed with a caller at said origin device according to said callee billing plan.

10. A system for billing for telephone services, said system comprising:

means for receiving, from an origin device, a destination line number for processing a call;

means for loading a profile for a line subscriber of said destination line number, wherein said profile comprises a line subscriber billing plan for said destination line number; and

means responsive to detecting an answer to said call at a destination device accessible via said destination line number, for authenticating an identity of a callee receiving said call; and

means for replacing said line subscriber billing plan with a callee billing plan associated with said authenticated identity of said callee.

11. The system for billing for telephone services according to claim 10, wherein said means for authenticating an identity of a callee further comprises:

means for authenticating said identity of said callee according to a voice utterance provided by said callee.

12. The system for billing for telephone services according to claim 10, wherein said means for authenticating an identity of a callee further comprises:

means for initiating authentication of said identity of said callee at said origin device.

13. The system for billing for telephone services according to claim 10, wherein said means for authenticating an identity of a callee further comprises:

means for initiating authentication of said identity of said callee at an intermediary device processing said call.

14. The system for billing for telephone services according to claim 10, wherein said means for authenticating an identity of a callee further comprises:

means for initiating authentication of said identity of said callee at said destination device.

15. The system for billing for telephone services according to claim 10, further comprising:

means for detecting an off-hook condition of said origin device at a service provider within an intermediary device;

means for initiating a register for said call;

means for determining a destination service provider within said intermediary device responsible for service of said destination line number;

means for switching said call to said destination service provider;

means for establishing a destination register for said call with said destination service provider;

means for loading a destination line subscriber profile associated with said destination line number into said destination register, wherein said destination line subscriber profile comprises a billing plan for a destination line subscriber;

means for extending said call to said destination device; and

means responsive to receiving a callee profile associated with said identity of said callee, wherein said callee profile comprises a callee billing plan, for replacing said destination line subscriber profile in said destination register with said callee profile, such that billing for service provided for said call is directed to said callee.

16. The system for billing for telephone service according to claim 10, further comprising:

means for controlling at least one particular service provided for said call according to said at least one particular service selected in a callee profile accessible according to said authenticated identity of said caller.

17. The system for billing for telephone services according to claim 10, further comprising:

means for transferring said call to a service provider associated with said destination line number.

18. The system for billing for telephone services according to claim 10, further comprising:

means for billing said callee for an order placed with a caller at said origin device according to said callee billing plan.

19. A computer program product for billing for telephone services, said computer program product comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for enabling receipt of a destination line number for processing a call;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for loading a profile for a line subscriber of said destination line number, wherein said profile comprises a line subscriber billing plan for said destination line number; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for authenticating an identity of a callee receiving said call; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for controlling replacement of said line subscriber billing plan with a callee billing plan associated with said authenticated identity of said callee.

20. The computer program product for billing for telephone services according to claim 19, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for authenticating said identity of said callee according to a voice utterance provided by said callee.

21. The computer program product for billing for telephone services according to claim 19, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for initiating authentication of said identity of said callee at said origin device.

22. The computer program product for billing for telephone services according to claim 19, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for initiating authentication of said identity of said callee at an intermediary device processing said call.

23. The computer program product for billing for telephone services according to claim 19, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for initiating authentication of said identity of said callee at said destination device.

24. The computer program product for billing for telephone services according to claim 19, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for detecting an off-hook condition of said origin device at a service provider within an intermediary device;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for initiating a register for said call;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for determining a destination service provider within said intermediary device responsible for service of said destination line number;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for switching said call to said destination service provider;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for establishing a destination register for said call with said destination service provider;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for loading a destination line subscriber profile associated with said destination line number into said destination register, wherein said destination line subscriber profile comprises a billing plan for a destination line subscriber;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for extending said call to said destination device; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for replacing said destination line subscriber profile in said destination register with a callee profile associated with said identity of said callee.

25. The computer program product for billing for telephone service according to claim 19, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for controlling at least one particular service provided for said call according to said at least one particular service selected in a callee profile accessible according to said authenticated identity of said caller.

26. The computer program product for billing for telephone services according to claim 19, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for transferring said call to a service provider associated with said destination line number.

27. The computer program product for billing for telephone services according to claim 19, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for billing said callee for an order placed with a caller at said origin device according to said callee billing plan.

28. A method for callee specified telephone service, comprising:

receiving an authenticated identity for a callee answering a call placed to a destination device;

accessing a billing plan for said authenticated identity of said callee; and

loading said billing plan for specifying charges for said call, such that telephone service billed to said callee is accessible at a plurality of destination devices.

29. The method for callee specified telephone service according to claim 28, wherein accessing a billing plan further comprises:

accessing said billing plan according to said authenticated identity from at least one data storage system within a trusted telephone network.

30. The method for callee specified telephone service according to claim 28, wherein accessing a billing plan further comprises:

accessing said billing plan according to said authenticated identity from at least one data storage system outside a trusted telephone network, wherein a secure communication channel is established between said trusted telephone network and said at least one data storage system outside said trusted telephone network.

31. A system for callee specified telephone service, comprising:

a billing controller enabled in a server system;

means for receiving an authenticated identity for a callee answering a call placed to a destination device;

means for accessing a billing plan for said authenticated identity of said callee; and

means for loading said billing plan for specifying charges for said call at said billing controller, wherein said telephone service billed to said callee is accessible at a plurality of destination devices according to said billing plan.

32. The system for callee specified telephone service according to claim 31, wherein said means for accessing a billing plan further comprises:

means for accessing said billing plan according to said authenticated identity from at least one data storage system within a trusted telephone network.

33. The system for callee specified telephone service according to claim 31, wherein said means for accessing a billing plan further comprises:

means for accessing said billing plan according to said authenticated identity from at least one data storage system outside a trusted telephone network, wherein a secure communication channel is established between said trusted telephone network and said at least one data storage system outside said trusted telephone network.

34. A computer program product for callee specified telephone service, comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for enabling receipt of an authenticated identity for a callee answering a call placed to a destination device;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for enabling access to a billing plan for said authenticated identity of said callee; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for loading said billing plan for specifying charges for said call.

35. The computer program product for callee specified telephone service according to claim 34, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for enabling access to said billing plan according to said authenticated identity from at least one data storage medium within a trusted telephone network.

36. The computer program product for callee specified telephone service according to claim 34, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for enabling access to said billing plan according to said authenticated identity from at least one data storage system outside a trusted telephone network, wherein a secure communication channel is established between said trusted telephone network and said at least one data storage system outside said trusted telephone network.

37. A method for controlling a telephony device, comprising:

receiving an order placed with a caller by a callee from a destination telephony device, wherein billing specifications are automatically filled in by said caller according to a billing plan accessed according to a callee voice authenticated identifier;

controlling output of said order from at least one output interface of said destination telephony device; and

responsive to receiving a single entry by a callee at said destination telephony device, generating an authorization for billing of said order according to said billing specifications.

38. The method for controlling a telephony device according to claim 37, wherein said single entry is a keypad entry.

39. The method for controlling a telephony device according to claim 37, wherein said single entry is a voice entry.

40. The method for controlling a telephony device according to claim 37, wherein said single entry is a touch entry.

41. The method for controlling a telephony device according to claim 37, wherein said at least one output interface is a graphical user interface.

42. The method for controlling a telephony device according to claim 37, wherein said at least one output interface is a speaker.

43. The method for controlling a telephony device according to claim 37, further comprising:

responsive to receiving an alternate billing specification for said order, transmitting said alternate billing specification to said caller to update said order.

44. A method for controlling an order via a telephony device, comprising:

receiving an authenticated identifier for a callee contacted during a call by a caller;

retrieving billing specifications for said callee according to said authenticated identifier; and

automatically filling in an order form with said billing specifications.

45. The method for controlling an order according to claim 44, wherein said billing specifications are filtered from a billing plan for said callee according to a context of said call.

46. A method for controlling an order placement, comprising:

receiving an authenticated identifier for a callee contacted during a call by a caller;

retrieving billing specifications for said callee according to said authenticated identifier;

automatically filling in an order form with said billing specifications; and

transmitting said order form to said callee, wherein said callee is able to complete said order by a single authorization entry.

47. A method for controlling billing transactions, comprising:

receiving a billing request from a caller during a call, wherein said billing request comprises an authenticated callee identity and callee account provider identifier; and

accessing payment for said billing request from said callee account provider according to said authenticated callee identity.

48. The method for controlling billing transactions according to claim 47, further comprising:

transferring said payment to a caller account provider according to an authenticated caller identity.

49. The method for controlling billing transactions according to claim 47, wherein said billing request comprises a request for a fund transfer from said callee to said caller.

50. The method for controlling billing transactions according to claim 47, wherein said billing request comprises a request for a fund transfer from said callee to said caller for a purchase by said callee from said caller.

51. The method for controlling billing transactions according to claim 47, wherein said billing request is received at a billing service executing within a trusted telephone network processing said call.

52. The method for controlling billing transactions according to claim 47, wherein said billing request is received at a billing service executing outside a trusted telephone network processing said call via a secure channel to said trusted telephone network.