Prepaid security cellular telecommunications system
First Claim
1. A method, performed at a wireless service provider, of managing preauthorized telecommunications service, the method comprising:
- receiving, at the wireless service provider, user input corresponding to information obtained from a vended media that represents a specific, predetermined level of credit; and
modifying, at the wireless service provider, accounting data in account based on the user input, wherein modification of the account comprises increasing credit available for wireless telecommunications service by the predetermined level of credit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cellular telecommunications system having a security feature which allows only pre-authorized users to complete cellular telephone calls. The system and method recognizes a cellular radiotelephone'"'"'s pre-programmed and pre-selected telephone number and an automated number identification code (ANI). The pre-selected telephone number is reserved to the pre-paid cellular telecommunications system. The cellular radiotelephone transmits the ANI and a dialed number identification system code (DNIS) to a cellular switch, which contacts a host computer for call validation by the pre-paid service provider. This system also allows pre-authorized users to receive and pay for incoming calls as well as purchase additional airtime and monthly access fees with convenient pre-paid cards.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method, performed at a wireless service provider, of managing preauthorized telecommunications service, the method comprising:
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receiving, at the wireless service provider, user input corresponding to information obtained from a vended media that represents a specific, predetermined level of credit; and
modifying, at the wireless service provider, accounting data in account based on the user input, wherein modification of the account comprises increasing credit available for wireless telecommunications service by the predetermined level of credit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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16. A method of managing preauthorized telecommunications service, the method comprising:
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receiving information comprising an identifier and user input, obtained from a vended medium, that comprises information other than a destination number (DNIS) and that represents a specific, predetermined level of credit;
routing the identifier to a wireless service provider; and
modifying an account at the wireless service provider based on the user input and the identifier.
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17. A wireless telecommunications system, comprising, in combination:
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(a) a plurality of wireless radiotelephones each having a predetermined subscriber telephone number;
(b) at least one public switched telephone network;
(c) at least one wireless carrier;
(d) at least one wireless switch in communication with at least one public switched telephone network;
(e) at least one host computer in communication with said at least one wireless switch;
(f) a processor resident in the wireless switch for receiving signals from both the at least one public switched telephone network and the wireless carrier and sending signals to both the at least one public switched telephone network and wireless carrier; and
(g) a processor resident in the at least one host computer that accepts and evaluates a subscriber database comprising a plurality of records representing subscribers to the wireless telecommunications system and including pre-paid account balance information for each subscriber, wherein the host computer receives an alpha-numeric value corresponding to a set value of airtime to be added to a prepaid subscriber account balance, the alpha-numeric value allowing a set value of air time to be added to the prepaid subscriber account balance. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification