System and method for replenishing an account

• US 20040185827A1
• Filed: 01/16/2004
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Parks
• Original Assignee: Virgin Mobile USA LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Parks, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/759,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20040185827A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• 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 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• 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 17/20 with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/204 on-line recharging, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/24 with on-line recharging of an account or card, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 Fraud detection or prevention means
• 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 2215/0168 On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• 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 2215/54 Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A prepaid telephone handset provides a balance retrieval function associated with a soft key. A user selects the soft key on a handset to initiate a balance inquiry for an account associated with the handset. A balance inquiry response message is received by the handset to allow the user to determine available account balance. The soft key allows for a single step retrieval of account balance without initiating a connection to a human operator or an automated system.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining an account balance of a wireless communication account, said wireless communication account associated with an account identifier, comprising:

associating a handset identifier with said wireless communication account;

transmitting a first message to an account maintenance system in response to a user selection of a predetermined handset key, said first message comprising at least said handset identifier and said account identifier; and

a handset associated with the handset identifier obtaining said account balance by receiving a second message, the second message providing an account balance for the wireless communication account associated with said account identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting a first message comprises:

enabling a soft key from a plurality of handset keys for replenishment of an account;

associating said account identifier with said soft key;

associating a null amount with said soft key; and

said transmitting of said first message being in response to a user selection of said soft key, said first message comprising a null amount, said account identifier, and said handset identifier.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said first message further comprises payment account data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said second message is an SMS message.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined handset key is a directional key.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication account is a prepaid telephone account.