Method and apparatus for providing prepaid local telephone services
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing prepaid dialtone services. The system includes a prepaid dialtone service center having an applications server that maintains a prepaid dialtone subscriber database including subscriber identification and service period information. The applications server is configured to automatically remind subscribers to renew their prepaid dialtone account and communicates with a local exchange carrier to place a hold on, or cancel, an expired subscriber account. The method includes the features of determining and monitoring a service period for a prepaid dialtone subscriber, communicating a reminder to the subscriber prior to expiration of the service period, and communicating with a local exchange carrier servicing the subscriber upon expiration of the service period.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1-13. -13. (canceled)
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14. A method of providing prepaid local telephone services to a subscriber having a telecommunications device connected to a subscriber line and in communication with a telephone network via the subscriber line, the method comprising:
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communicating instructions to a local exchange carrier from a prepaid local telephone service network to activate prepaid local telephone services for the subscriber;
monitoring a prepaid local telephone service period for the subscriber at the prepaid local telephone service independently of telephone call activity by the subscriber at the local exchange carrier, wherein the prepaid local telephone service network monitors the prepaid local telephone service period without monitoring a duration of individual calls from the telecommunications device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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16-19. -19. (canceled)
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25. A method of providing prepaid local telephone services to a subscriber having a telecommunications device connected to a subscriber line and in communication with a telephone network via the subscriber line, the method comprising:
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receiving a set of prepaid local telephone service instructions at a local exchange carrier from a prepaid local telephone service network, the set of prepaid local telephone service instructions identifying a subscriber of prepaid local telephone services with a telephone number of the subscriber and identifying a category of telephone calls permissible by the subscriber;
receiving a call at the local exchange carrier from a telephone associated with the telephone number of the subscriber, the call directed to a telephone number;
comparing the telephone number with the set of prepaid local telephone service instructions and verifying that the telephone number falls within the category of telephone calls permissible by the subscriber;
verifying that the subscriber has a valid account with the prepaid local telephone call network; and
connecting the call only if the telephone number dialed by the subscriber falls within the category of telephone calls permissible by the subscriber and the subscriber has a valid account with the prepaid local telephone service network, wherein the local exchange carrier connects the call without monitoring a duration of the call and without monitoring a monetary value of the call. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A system for providing prepaid local telephone services comprising:
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a server having a processor and a prepaid subscriber database, the server configured for communication with a local telephone network;
wherein the server is adapted to communicate with the local telephone network to instruct the telephone network to permit local telephone calls from a subscriber associated with a subscriber telephone number in the prepaid subscriber database; and
wherein the server is further adapted to monitor a prepaid local telephone service period for the subscriber without monitoring a duration of telephone calls made by the subscriber and without monitoring a monetary value of the telephone calls during the prepaid local telephone service period. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification