Delivery of value identifiers using short message service (SMS)

• US 20060213968A1
• Filed: 09/23/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Inventors: Tagg, Brian Roger, Lowin, Leslie George, Guest, John David
• Granted Patent: US 7,472,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3255 using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8221 Message based
• 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 17/02 Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
• 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 17/204 on-line recharging, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/206 by sending a message, e.g. SMS, MMS or EMS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• 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: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A system and method for adding value to a customer account are provided. An identifier associated with a value is distributed to a customer. The identifier is usable to add the value to an account. A request to add the value to a customer account is received via short message service (SMS). The request comprises the identifier and account identification information associated with the customer account. In some embodiments, the identifier may be entered into the device using text auto-completion software. The request is received from a user communication device as an SMS message. The value associated with the identifier and the customer account associated with the account identification number are identified based on the request. The value is caused to be added to the customer account. A confirmation that the value was added to the customer account is passed to the user communication device.

Claims

1. A method for adding value to a customer account, comprising:

distributing an identifier associated with a value to a customer, wherein the identifier is usable to add the value to an account;

receiving via short message service (SMS) a request to add the value to a customer account, the request comprising the identifier and account identification information associated with the customer account, the request being received from a user communication device as an SMS message;

identifying the value associated with the identifier and the customer account associated with the account identification information based on the request;

causing the value to be added to the customer account; and

passing to the user communication device a confirmation that the value was added to the customer account.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, prior to receiving the request from the user communication device, the identifier is input into the SMS message at the user communication device at least in part by the user and at least in part automatically by the user communication device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises at least one first set of alpha-numeric characters and at least one second set of alpha-numeric characters, and wherein the user communication device is configured to automatically input the second set of alpha-numeric characters in response to receiving an input of the first set of alpha-numeric characters.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the identifier is entered into the SMS message at the user communication device using an auto-complete spelling function of a dictionary software program operative on the user communication device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is entered into the SMS message into the user communication device, and in response to entering the first portion into the user communication device, the user communication device automatically enters the second portion.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is entered into the SMS message into the user communication device, and in response to entering the first portion into the user communication device, the user communication device automatically suggests the second portion.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the identifier comprises a series of alpha-numeric characters, and wherein the first portion of the identifier is entered at the user communication device by speaking each of the series of alpha-numeric characters.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the identifier comprises a series of alpha-numeric characters, and wherein the first portion of the identifier is entered at the user communication device by speaking each of the alpha-numeric characters of the first portion of the identifier.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the identifier is entered at the user communication device by verbal request, and wherein a second portion of the identifier is entered at the user communication device by manually entering one or more alpha-numeric characters comprised in the second portion.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, prior to receiving the request from the user communication device, the identifier is keyed into the SMS message at the user communication device by the user.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the SMS message comprises a body and a header, and wherein the body comprises the identifier and the account identification information.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the SMS message comprises a body, wherein the account identification information is stored in a memory storage system comprised in the user communication device, and wherein the account identification information was entered into the body directly from the memory storage system.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises a PIN.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the user communication device comprises a wireless phone having a phone number, and wherein the account identification information comprises the phone number.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer account comprises a telecommunications service account.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer account comprises a prepaid wireless telephone account.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer account is usable to purchase online gaming service.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer account is usable to purchase bridge or road toll service.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the SMS message comprises a body and a header, wherein the body comprises the identifier, and wherein the header comprises the account identification information.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer account is usable to enable one or more services on the user communication device.

21. A system for adding value to a customer account, comprising:

a distribution system for distributing an identifier associated with a value to a customer, wherein the identifier is usable to add the value to an account;

an input device for receiving via short message service (SMS) a request to add the value to a customer account, the request comprising the identifier and account identification information associated with the customer account, the request being received from a user communication device as an SMS message;

a processor for identifying the value associated with the identifier and the customer account associated with the account identification information based on the request;

a value insertion system for causing the value to be added to the customer account; and

an output device for passing to the user communication device a confirmation that the value was added to the customer account.

22. A method for adding value to a customer account, comprising:

receiving from a first user communication device an identifier associated with a prepaid value at a second user communication device associated with a customer account;

passing to a central processor a request to add the value to the customer account, the request comprising the identifier and account identification information associated with the customer account, wherein the request is passed via SMS, and wherein the central processor is configured to identify the value and the customer account based on the request.