Method of billing a communication session conducted over a computer network
First Claim
1. A method of billing a communication session over a computer network between a user and a value-added service, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a request from a user for a communication session over a computer network between the user and a value-added service;
requesting information associated with a credit account before the user is connected to the value-added service;
receiving the information associated with a credit account;
communicating credit account information to a payment authorization database;
receiving payment authorization information associated with the credit account from the payment authorization database before the user is connected to the value-added service;
connecting the user to the value-added service when the payment authorization information is affirmative; and
transmitting session charge information associated with the communication session to the payment authorization database when the communication session is terminated, the session charge information including information for charging the credit account an amount representing a charge for the communication session.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of billing a communication session between a user and a value-added service. A request is received from a user for a communication session, such as a circuit-switched call, a computer-network telephony call or a multimedia session, between the user and a value-added service. Information associated with a credit account is requested before the user is connected to the value-added service. The information associated with the credit account, such as credit card information, debit card information or checking account information, is received in real time. Credit account information, which includes the received information associated with the credit account and a predetermined amount that is to be charged to the credit account, is communicated to a payment authorization database, which can be located locally or remotely. Alternatively, the credit account information includes the received information associated with the credit account and a predetermined amount that is to be set aside in the credit account for the communication session. Payment authorization information associated with the credit account is received from the remote site before the user is connected to the value-added service. The user is connected to the value-added service when the payment authorization information is affirmative. A total charge for the communication session that is based on an actual time that the user is connected to the value-added service is calculated when the communication session is terminated. Lastly, session charge information associated with the communication session is transmitted to the remote site when the communication session is terminated, the session charge information including information for charging the credit account an amount representing a charge for the communication session.
-
Citations
4 Claims
-
1. A method of billing a communication session over a computer network between a user and a value-added service, the method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a request from a user for a communication session over a computer network between the user and a value-added service;
requesting information associated with a credit account before the user is connected to the value-added service;
receiving the information associated with a credit account;
communicating credit account information to a payment authorization database;
receiving payment authorization information associated with the credit account from the payment authorization database before the user is connected to the value-added service;
connecting the user to the value-added service when the payment authorization information is affirmative; and
transmitting session charge information associated with the communication session to the payment authorization database when the communication session is terminated, the session charge information including information for charging the credit account an amount representing a charge for the communication session. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
Specification