Automatic disconnect in ringing state of call from user with no credit

• US 20070091869A1
• Filed: 05/26/2004
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starscriber Corp.
• Original Assignee: Starscriber Corp.
• Inventors: Kahn, Ari
• Granted Patent: US 7,945,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• 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 2203/1008 Calls without connection establishment for implicit information transfer or as a service trigger
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5018 Initiating a conference during a two-party conversation, i.e. three-party service or three-way call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5027 Dropping a party from a conference
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• 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 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42195 Arrangements for calling back a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy H04M3/48
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/58 Arrangements for transferring received calls from one subscriber to another; Arrangements affording interim conversations between either the calling or the called party and a third party substation line holding circuits H04M1/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method and system for operating a telephony service are disclosed. A telephone network is provided, which may be a physical network or a virtual network hosted by an existing network. Network identifies defined by SIM cards, or telephones with built-in SIM cards, are issued to network users. The SIM cards defines a network identity including a unique network telephone number. The network, which is preferably an intelligent network (IN) is configured to permit telephones of the users to receive calls and/or messages, irrespective of the status of a user'"'"'s account with the network. In addition, the network is configured to permit users without credit or airtime to make an outgoing call to an intended call recipient, the call being disconnected after a predetermined number of rings. This is sufficient to create a missed call notification on a mobile telephone of the intended call recipient. The network is configured to generate a notification such as a text message or recorded announcement to the intended recipient if he/she is not available at the time of the call.

Claims

1. A method of operating a telephony service, the method comprising:

allocating a network identity comprising a unique network telephone number to each of a plurality of network users; and

configuring the network to permit each network user to receive calls and/or messages from callers calling a respective network telephone number of the network user, and to give network access to said network user for outgoing calls, irrespective of the status of an account of said network user, so that such a network user may receive calls and/or messages without having prepaid airtime or a credit account in good standing, outgoing calls made from a telephone of a network user without credit or airtime being disconnected after a predetermined number of rings, thereby creating a missed call notification for the intended call recipient.

2. A method according to claim 1 including providing each user with a mobile telephone in which the network identity can be used.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein each such mobile telephone is locked to a telephony network associated with the unique network number.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein each such mobile telephone is locked to a subscriber identity module defining the network identity.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein each such mobile telephone has a built-in subscriber identity module defining the network identity.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the mobile telephones are provided free of charge, or at a nominal charge, to the network users.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the network is configured to cause outgoing calls made from a telephone of a network user without credit or airtime to be disconnected after one ring.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the network is configured to generate a notification to the intended call recipient of an attempted call from a network user if the call recipient'"'"'s telephone is off, engaged or out of coverage.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the notification is a text message or a recorded announcement.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the network identity allocated to each network user is allocated on a virtual network hosted at least partially by an existing network, the virtual network having a network prefix distinct from that of existing networks.

11. A system for providing telephony access to a plurality of network users, the system comprising:

a telephony network; and

a plurality of network identities issued to respective users of the telephony network, each network identity defining a unique network telephone number and being usable in at least one telephone, the network being configured to permit telephones of the users to receive calls and/or messages from callers calling respective network telephone numbers of the users, and to give network access to said network user for outgoing calls, irrespective of the status of accounts of the users, so that users may receive calls and/or messages without having prepaid airtime or a credit account in good standing, outgoing calls made from a telephone of a network user without credit or airtime being disconnected after a predetermined number of rings, thereby creating a missed call notification for the intended call recipient.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the telephony network is configured to define voice and/or message mailboxes for each user, thereby to store voicemail and/or text messages from callers to the respective users.

13. A system according to claim 11 wherein the telephony network is a virtual mobile telephony network hosted at least partially by an existing mobile telephony network and having a unique network identifier code.

14. A system according to claim 11 wherein the network identities are defined by subscriber identity modules (SIMs) issued to the users, the subscriber identity modules each being usable in a telephone of a user.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein each subscriber identity module is built into a respective telephone.

16. A system according to claim 14 wherein each subscriber identity module is a miniature SIM usable in a mobile telephone and is locked to a particular mobile telephone.

17. A system according to claim 14 wherein each subscriber identity module is a credit card sized SIM usable in public telephones and/or other telephone terminals.