Prepay telecommunications system

• US 20040098293A1
• Filed: 07/07/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freedom Wireless Incorporated (Freedom Wireless)
• Original Assignee: Daniel A. Hanson
• Inventors: Hanson, Daniel A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,162,220 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/405
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/28 with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/30 the meter or calculation of charges not being controlled from an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8038 Roaming or handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/853 Calculate maximum communication time or volume
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/90 using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• 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 17/10 Account details or usage
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0116 Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/016 Billing using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• 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 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/34 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8162 Calculate maximum communication time or volume
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

The prepay telecommunications system (60) includes a prepay call, management, platform. (50) which is directly coupled to a telecommunications carrier switch (24). A customer database (116) is coupled to the prepay call management platform (50) for storing prepay customer data, and a plurality of customer interface facilities (62, 64, 66, 68, 80) are provided for accepting customer prepayment and immediately updating the customer database (116). The prepay calls are recognized by the mobile identification number and is routed to the prepay call management platform (50) coupled to and co-located with the telecommunications carrier switch (24). The customer account balance associated with the prepay call is looked up in a customer database (116), and the maximum allowable call duration in response to the customer account balance is computed. The prepay call is then released to the telecommunications carrier switch (24) for line termination. At the same time, a call duration timer is started. The call is disconnected in response to the call duration timer reaching the maximum allowable call duration. The prepay telecommunications system is applicable to both wireless and non-wireless telecommunications systems.

Claims

1. A prepay telecommunications system, comprising:

a prepay call management platform being coupled to a telecommunications carrier switch; and

a customer database coupled to the prepay call management platform for storing prepay customer data.

2. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of customer interface facilities coupled to the prepay call management platform for accepting and automatically updating the customer database with prepay customer data.

3. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the plurality of customer interface facilities comprises:

a clearinghouse in communication with the prepay call management platform; and

a plurality of replenishment units coupled to the clearinghouse for activating a customer prepay account and receiving replenishing funds to a customer prepay account.

4. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 2, where the plurality of customer interface, facilities each comprises a log of customer transaction data.

5. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 2, where the plurality of customer interface facilities each comprises a data card reader for automatically reading deposit cards issued to each customer.

6. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a roaming platform being coupled to a second telecommunications carrier switch and further in communication with the prepay call management platform.

7. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one roaming platform being coupled to at least one telecommunications carrier switch and further in communication with the prepay call management platform.

8. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

additional prepay call management platforms each being coupled to and co-located with a telecommunications carrier switch and being in communications with one another; and

at least one roaming platform being coupled to and co-located with at least one telecommunications carrier switch and further in communications with the prepay call management platforms.

9. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the prepay call management platform comprises:

a switch matrix coupled to the telecommunications carrier switch for receiving calls therefrom; and

a call processor coupled to the switch matrix for monitoring prepay calls and playing pre-recorded voice announcements.

10. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the, prepay call management platform further comprises a database server coupled to the customer database.

11. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the telecommunications carrier switch is a wireless switch.

12. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the prepay call management platform is coupled to the telecommunications carrier switch by a T1 span.

13. The prepay telecommunications system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the prepay call management platform is coupled to the telecommunications carrier switch by an SS7 link.

14. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the prepay call management platform is coupled to the customer interface facilities by a frame relay network.

15. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim. 8, wherein the prepay call management platforms are coupled to one another by a frame relay network.

16. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein, the prepay call management platforms and roaming platforms are coupled to one another by a frame relay network.

17. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the clearinghouse is coupled to the prepay call management platforms by a frame relay network.

18. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the replenishment units are coupled to the clearinghouse by dial up connections.

19. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the prepay call management platform includes a call duration timer for determining when a maximum allowable call duration for a prepay call has lapsed.

20. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the call processor includes a call duration timer for determining when a maximum allowable call duration for a prepay call has lapsed.

21. A prepay telecommunications system, comprising:

a prepay call management, platform being coupled to a telecommunications carrier switch;

a customer database coupled to the prepay call management platform for storing prepay customer data; and

a plurality of customer interface facilities coupled to the prepay call management platform for accepting customer prepayment and immediately updating the customer database in response thereto.

22. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 21;

wherein the plurality of customer interface facilities comprises;

a clearinghouse in communications with the prepay call management platform; and

a plurality of replenishment units coupled to the clearinghouse for activating a customer prepay account and receiving replenishing funds to a customer prepay account.

23. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 21, where the plurality of customer interface facilities each comprises a log of customer transaction data.

24. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 21, further comprising a roaming platform being coupled to a second telecommunications carrier switch and further in communications with the prepay call management platform.

25. The prepay telecommunications system as set forth in claim 21, further comprising at least one roaming platform being coupled to at least one telecommunications carrier switch and further in communications with the prepay call management platform.

26. The, prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 21, further comprising:

additional prepay call management platforms each being coupled to and collocated with a telecommunications carrier switch and being in communications with one another; and

at least one roaming platform being coupled to and co-located with at least one telecommunications carrier switch and further in communications with the prepay call management platforms.

27. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 21, wherein the prepay call management platform comprises:

a switch matrix coupled to the telecommunications carrier switch for receiving calls therefrom; and

a call processor coupled to the switch matrix for monitoring prepay calls and playing prerecorded voice announcements.

28. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the prepay call management platform further comprises a database server coupled to the customer database.

29. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 21, wherein the telecommunications carrier switch is a wireless switch.

30. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 21 wherein the prepay call management platform, is coupled to the telecommunications carrier switch by a T1 span.

31. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 21, wherein the prepay call management platform is;

coupled to the telecommunications carrier switch by an SS7 link.

32. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim, 21, wherein the prepay call management platform is coupled to the customer interface facilities by a frame relay network.

33. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 26, wherein the prepay call management platforms are coupled to one another by a frame relay network.

34. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 26, wherein the prepay call management platforms and roaming platforms are coupled to one another by frame relay network.

35. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 22, wherein the clearinghouse is coupled to the prepay call management platforms by a frame relay network.

36. The prepay telecommunications system, as, set forth in claim 22, wherein the replenishment units are coupled to the clearinghouse by dial up connections.

37. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 21, wherein the prepay call management platform includes a call duration timer for determining ′

when a maximum allowable call duration for a prepay call has lapsed.

38. The prepay telecommunications system, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the call processor includes a call duration timer for determining when a maximum allowable call duration for a prepay call has lapsed.

39. A method for live call management of a prepay call, comprising the steps of:

recognizing a prepay call at a telecommunications carrier switch;

routing the prepay-call to a prepay call management platform coupled to the telecommunications carrier switch;

looking up, customer account balance associated with the prepay call in a customer data database;

determining the maximum allowable call duration in response to the customer account balance;

releasing the prepay call to telecommunications carrier switch for line termination;

starting a call duration timer;

monitoring the prepay call for the call duration timer reaching the maximum allowable call duration; and

disconnecting the call in response to the call duration timer reaching the maximum, allowable call duration.

40. The method as set forth in claim 39, wherein the step, of recognizing a prepay call comprises the step of recognizing a mobile identification number associated with the prepay calls.

41. The method, as set forth in claim 39, wherein the step of recognizing a prepay call comprises the step of recognizing a customer group office code of a mobile identification number associated with the prepay call being within a predetermined range.

42. The method, as set forth in claim 39, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring the prepay call for call completion; and

disconnecting the call in response thereto.

43. The method, as set forth in claim 39, further comprising the steps of:

determining an amount expended by the prepay call immediately in response to call disconnection; and

immediately deducting the amount from the customer account balance.

44. The method, as set forth in claim 39, further comprising the steps of:

accepting a customer prepayment associated with the customer account;

immediately relaying prepayment data to the prepay call management platform; and

immediately updating the customer account balance in response to receiving the prepayment data.

45. The method, as set forth in claim 39, further comprising the step of recognizing a prepay call at a telecommunications carrier wireless switch.

46. A method for live call management of a prepay call, comprising the steps of:

recognizing a roaming call at a telecommunications carrier switch;

routing the roaming call to a roaming platform coupled to the telecommunications carrier switch;

recognizing the roaming call being associated with a prepay account at a home prepay call management platform;

looking up customer account balance associated with the roaming call in a customer data database coupled to the home prepay call management platform;

determining the maximum allowable call duration in response to the customer account balance;

releasing the roaming call to the roaming platform;

releasing the roaming call to the telecommunications carrier switch for line termination;

, starting a call duration timer;

monitoring the roaming call for the call duration timer reaching the maximum allowable call duration; and

disconnecting the roaming call in response to the call duration timer reaches the maximum allowable call duration.

47. The method, as set forth in claim 46;

wherein the step of recognizing the roaming call being associated with a prepay account comprises the step of recognizing a mobile identification number associated with the roaming call.

48. The method, as set forth in claim 46, wherein the step of recognizing the roaming call being associated with a prepay account comprises the step of recognizing a customer group office code of a mobile identification number associated with the roaming call being within a predetermined range.

49. The method, as set forth in claim 46, further comprising the step of verifying that roaming is allowed for the prepay customer account.

50. The method, as set forth in claim 46, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring the roaming call for call completion; and

disconnecting the call in response thereto.

51. The method, as set forth in claim 46, further comprising the steps of:

determining an amount expended by the roaming call immediately in response to call disconnection; and

immediately deducting the amount from the customer account balance.

52. The method, as set forth in claim 46, further comprising the steps of:

accepting a customer prepayment associated with the customer account;

immediately relaying prepayment data to the prepay call management platform; and

immediately updating the customer account balance in response to receiving the prepayment data.

53. The method, as set forth in claim 46, further comprising the step of recognizing a roaming call at a telecommunications carrier wireless switch.