ENHANCED COMMUNICATION PLATFORM AND RELATED COMMUNICATION METHOD USING THE PLATFORM

• US 20080063161A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Inventors: Gupta, Richa, Ray, Biswajit, Undavalli, Prasad, Nallajerla, Kondal, Verma, J.S.J., Ayyala, Sree, Nallagonda, Bhanumurthy, Bonajiri, Sivaramayya, Velpuri, Surya, Vaidya, Manohar, Raju, Janaki, Alla, Rajesh, Ravi, S. D. V., Joyce, Simon, Rao, K., Reddy, Ashok, G., Amba, Gupta, Prafulla, Kaushal, Alok, Sistla, Krishna, Govind, Raghuram, M. K., Ram
• Granted Patent: US 8,976,947 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/114.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3821 Electronic credentials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4016 involving fraud or risk level assessment in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/403 Solvency checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/409 Device specific authentication in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1025 Identification of user by a PIN code
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/122 Online card verification
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8038 Roaming or handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 : involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 : Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/85 : characterised by the type of condition triggering a notification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 : Available credit
• 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 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 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/34 : Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 : Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 : Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 : Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 : Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 : Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 : Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13134 : Coin boxes, payphone, prepaid
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1315 : Call waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13152 : Callback
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 : Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13274 : Call rejection, call barring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13331 : Abbreviated dialling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1334 : Configuration within the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 : Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13372 : Intercepting operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/108 : Source integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 : Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing

Abstract

Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the user'"'"'s authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Claims

1. At least one computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions performed by at least one computer to perform a method of providing from a platform pre-authorized communication services and transactions using a plurality of external networks of different types and which are external to the platform, the method comprising:

accepting and processing a request from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction or user account information via one of the plurality of external networks;

verifying that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, or the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service or the transaction; and

charging, in a real-time transaction, an authorized account associated with the user as the platform controls an element of a corresponding one of the plurality of external networks to provide at least one of the communication service or the transaction as provided by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

2. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises processing real-time settlement data for the at least one of the communication service or the commercial transaction.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the verifying further comprises authenticating the user using at least one of a security code, a password, user intervention, a PIN number, automatic call back or interactive voice response.

4. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises verifying that the user is within a specified area, country or that the at least one of the communication service or the transaction requested is within a user feature restriction level.

5. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the charging includes at least one of decreasing an account balance of a pre-authorized account or increasing a balance of a charge account.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises recording information about the at least one communication service or the transaction, including at least one of location of the authorized user, the amount charged, the date, the time or the type of transaction.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the plurality of external networks of different types controllable by the platform include a wireless communication network, a publicly switched telephone network, a landline communication network, a global or wide area computer network, the internet, a TCP/IP LAN, a SS-7 signaling network, an IP signaling network and a router network.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing services from the platform on the plurality of external networks selectable between user account management functions, payment administration functions, rate plan functions, and security functions.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

disconnecting the user from at least one of the plurality of external networks of different types after the at least one of the communication service or the transaction is provided; and

re-establishing a connection with the disconnected user and advising the disconnected user of a balance remaining in the account associated with the disconnected user.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

determining while providing the one of the communication service and the transaction that the user no longer has a sufficient amount in the account associated with the user; and

if it is determined that there is no longer the sufficient amount, accepting an account number across the at least one of the plurality of external networks of different types and adding value to the account associated with the user from the accepted account number.

11. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions performed by at least one computer to provide a method of providing pre-authorized communication services and transactions using a plurality of external networks of different types and which is external to a platform, the method comprising:

accepting a request from a user via a corresponding one of the plurality of external networks, the request requesting at least one of a communication service or a transaction;

verifying that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service or the transaction, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient value available for payment; and

charging in real time at the platform outside of the external networks, using rating engines that dynamically calculate charges, an account associated with the user while the platform controls an element of a corresponding one of the external networks from the platform to provide by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers the at least one of the communication service or the transaction and authorizing the transaction if the accepting and verifying is successful.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the verifying further comprises authenticating the user using at least one of a security code, a password, user intervention, a PIN number, automatic call back or interactive voice response.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises verifying that the user is within a specified area, country or that the at least one of the communication service or the transaction requested is within a user feature restriction level.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the charging includes at least one of decreasing an account balance of a pre-authorized account or increasing a balance of a charge account.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises recording information about the at least one communication service or the transaction, including at least one of location of the authorized user, the amount charged, the date, the time or the type of transaction.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the plurality of external networks of different types controllable by the platform include a wireless communication network, a publicly switched telephone network, a landline communication network, a global or wide area computer network, the internet, a TCP/IP LAN, a SS-7 signaling network, an IP signaling network and a router network.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises providing services of at least one of user account management functions, payment administration functions, rate plan functions, or security functions.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises processing real-time settlement data for the at least one of the communication service or commercial transaction.

19. A method of obtaining pre-authorized communication services and transactions using a plurality of external networks of different types and a platform outside of the plurality of external networks, comprising:

sending a request from a user device via the plurality of external networks to the platform, where the platform accepts and processes the request from the user device to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction or user account information;

verifies that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, or the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service or the transaction; and

charges in real time at the platform, an authorized account associated with the user as the platform controls an element of a corresponding one of the plurality of external networks to provide at least one of the communication service or the transaction; and

receiving the at least one of the communication service or the transaction provided by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers according to the control of the platform.

20. A method of obtaining pre-authorized communication services and transactions under control of an enhanced services platform outside of a plurality of external networks of different types, comprising:

sending a request to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction or user account information from a user to the enhanced services platform via one of the external networks for verification that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction or the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service or the transaction, if payment is required; and

receiving the at least one of the communication service, the transaction or the account information by the user from any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers if verification is obtained by the enhanced services platform and the authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time by an accounting platform in response to verification of the request.

21. A method of providing pre-authorized communication services and transactions using a plurality of external networks of different types and a platform outside of the plurality of external networks, comprising:

transmitting a request from a user via a corresponding one of the plurality of external networks to the platform, the request being for at least one of a communication service or a transaction; and

after it is verified that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service or the transaction, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient value available for payment, transmitting a charge from the platform using rating engines that dynamically calculate charges to an account associated with the user while the platform is controlling an element of a corresponding one of the external networks from the platform to provide the at least one of the communication service or the transaction and authorizing the transaction using any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

22. A method of providing pre-authorized communication services and transactions under control of a platform outside of a plurality of external networks of different types, comprising:

transmitting a request for at least one of a communication service or a transaction from a user to the platform via a first one of the external networks; and

at least one of providing the communication service or authorizing the transaction using at least one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers, after verification that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service or the transaction and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient value available for payment using rating engines that dynamically calculate charges to the account while the platform is controlling an element of a second one of the external networks.

23. A method of providing pre-authorized communication services and transactions using a plurality of external networks of different types and a platform outside of the plurality of external networks, comprising:

transmitting a request from a corresponding one of the plurality of external networks of different types, the request being from a user requesting at least one of a communication service or a transaction; and

after it is verified that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service or the transaction, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient value available for payment, transmitting a control signal from the platform to control an element of a corresponding one of the external networks from the platform to provide the at least one of the communication service or the transaction and authorizing the transaction using any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers while the platform is charging an account using rating engines that dynamically calculate charges to the account associated with the user.

24. A method of providing pre-authorized communication services and transactions under control of a platform outside of a plurality of external networks of different types, comprising:

transmitting a request for at least one of a communication service or a transaction from a user to the platform via a first one of the external networks; and

transmitting a control signal from the platform to a second one of the external networks to control at least one of providing the communication service or authorizing the transaction using a plurality of different service and transaction providers, after verification that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service or the transaction, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient value available for payment, and while the platform is charging the account using at least one rating engine that dynamically calculates charges.

25. A user communication device communicating with a platform outside of a plurality of external networks of different types, comprising:

an input unit that receives a request from a user identifying at least one of a communication service, a transaction or user account information; and

a transmitter that transmits the request to the platform via one of the external networks for verification that the user is authorized to receive the identified at least one of the communication service, the transaction or the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the identified at least one of the communication service or the transaction, and for control of an element of one of the external networks from the platform such that at least one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers at least one of authorizes the identified transaction or provides at least one of the identified communication service or the identified user account information, while the authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time in response to verification of the request.

26. The user communication device of claim 25, wherein the transmitter further reads an access code and a link between the account and the request, and transmits the read access code and the link to the platform to perform verification.

27. The user communication device of claim 25, wherein the transmitter further reads information from a chip needed by the platform to perform verification, and transmits the read information to the platform.

28. The user communication device of claim 25, wherein the transmitter further receives the at least one of a communication service or the transaction to be provided using the user communication device from the any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

29. The user communication device of claim 25, wherein the user communication device comprises a mobile telephone.

30. The user communication device of claim 25, wherein the user communication device comprises a computer.

31. The user communication device of claim 25, wherein the user communication device comprises a computer.

32. A user communication device communicating with a platform outside of a plurality of external networks of different types, comprising:

an input unit that receives a request from a user identifying at least one of a communication service or a transaction; and

a transmitter that transmits the request to the platform via one of the networks for verification that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service or the transaction, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the identified at least one of the communication service or the transaction if payment is required, and for control of an element of one of the networks by the platform such that at least one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers to at least one of authorize the transaction or provide the communication service, while the account is charged using at least one rating engine that dynamically calculates charges.

33. The user communication device of claim 32, wherein the transmitter further reads an access code and a link between the account and the request, and transmits the read access code and the link to the platform to perform verification.

34. The user communication device of claim 32, wherein the transmitter further reads information from a chip needed by the platform to perform verification, and transmits the read information to the platform.

35. The user communication device of claim 32, wherein the transmitter further receives the at least one of a communication service or the transaction to be provided using the user communication device from the any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

36. The user communication device of claim 32, wherein the user communication device comprises a mobile telephone.

37. The user communication device of claim 32, wherein the user communication device comprises a computer.

38. The user communication device of claim 32, wherein the transaction comprises a request to transfer money with respect to the account.

39. A method of crediting a pre-authorized account of a user, maintained at a platform connected to a plurality of networks;

comprising;

sending a notification to the user at a transceiver that the pre-authorized account needs additional funds;

receiving a response message from the user via the transceiver requesting additional funds be added to the pre-authorized account in accordance with the notification;

authenticating at the platform, using a unique identifier associated with the user, that the user is associated with the pre-authorized account and another account from which the additional funds may be drawn; and

after authentication that the user is associated with the pre-authorized account, crediting the pre-authorized account as a consequence of debiting the other account, thereby making the additional funds available in the pre-authorized account to pay for at least one communication service or transaction, provided or consummated, respectively via at least one of the networks of different types which are connected to the platform.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the transceiver is a wireless device.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the response message includes an account identifier that is usable to obtain additional funds for the pre-authorized account via credit from one of a plurality of other accounts.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said authenticating at the platform uses the unique identifier associated with the user and the account identifier associated with the pre-authorized account and identifying the other account from which the additional funds are to be drawn.

43. The method of claim 39, further comprising establishing an identification of the user using a password and the number unique to the user.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein said sending of the notification is based on a stored record identifying the transceiver associated with the user.

55. At least one computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing the method of claim 39 performed by at least one computer.

45. A method of crediting a pre-authorized account of a user, comprising:

sending a notification to the user at a transceiver that the pre-authorized account needs additional credit;

receiving a response message from the user sent from the transceiver and including a number associated with the user;

sending a request from a first platform to a second platform to obtain the additional credit from another account associated with the user and maintained by the second platform; and

receiving the additional credit obtained from a transaction debiting the other account and adding the additional credit to the pre-authorized account maintained by another platform different than the second platform to supply funds used to pay for at least one communication service or transaction, provided or consummated respectively via at least one of a plurality of networks of different types which are connected to the first and second platforms.

46. The method according to claim 45,

further comprising authenticating at the first platform that the user is associated with the pre-authorized account, and

wherein said sending of the request from the first platform to the second platform occurs if it is authenticated that the user is associated with the pre-authorized account.

47. The method according to claim 46,

further comprising establishing at the first platform an identification number associated with the user, and

wherein said authenticating of the user is based on the identification number.

56. At least one computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing the method of claim 45 performed by at least one computer.

48. A method of crediting a pre-authorized account of a user, comprising:

receiving at a first platform an identification number from a user;

authenticating the user at the first platform using the identification number;

sending a message to a transceiver of the user indicating that the pre-authorized account has reached a predetermined limit of remaining funds; and

adding additional credit to the pre-authorized account, if the user is authenticated and the user has responded to a message indicating that the pre-authorized account has reached the predetermined limit of remaining funds and the user has identified another account on a second platform from which the additional credit is to be obtained for the pre-authorized account, by debiting the other account and making the additional credit available in the pre-authorized account to pay for at least one communication service or transaction, provided or consummated respectively via at least one of a plurality of networks of different types which are connected to the first platform.

49. A system, connected to at least one separate system, used in crediting an account of a user of a transceiver who has another account controlled by one of the at least one separate system, said system comprising:

a storage device storing information controlling a first user account.

a first computer platform

receiving a first unique number sent from the transceiver of the user disposed outside of said system,

sending a second unique number, as a result of having received the first unique number, to a second computer platform in one of the at least one separate system for use in verification of the user,

establishing a connection with the transceiver of the user to provide a notification to the user via the transceiver indicating that the first user account associated with the user has an amount below a predetermined value,

receiving a response message from the transceiver of the user in response to the notification, the response message including a third unique number for use in adding an amount to the first user account,

causing, if the second computer platform authenticates the user using the second unique number and the first computer platform receives the third unique number in the response message, one of the first and second computer platforms to send a replenishment message outside of said system to another account associated with the user and disposed on a third computer platform external to said system,

receiving, through a synchronized transaction, a replenishment amount from the other account,

adding the replenishment amount to the first user account to make the replenishment amount available to expend for at least one communication service or transaction, provided or consummated, respectively via at least one of a plurality of networks of different types which are external to the first and second computer platforms.

50. The system of claim 49, further comprising determining, by one of the first and second computer platforms based on the one of the first and third unique numbers, the other account from which the replenishment amount is to be received.

51. A platform outside of external networks of different types and connectable to a transceiver of a user, a billing platform and another platform, comprising:

an interface receiving a request message from a user, via the transceiver disposed outside of said platform, requesting an increase in an amount in an account associated with the user and controlled by the billing platform;

a verification module authenticating that the user is associated with the account to permit increase or decrease in the amount in the account; and

a processor, if the user is authenticated as being associated with the account,

determining another account controlled by the other platform and associated with the user according to the request message,

causing a top up request to be sent outside of said platform via the external networks of different types to access the other account and obtain an additional amount to top up the account via a corresponding transaction, and

if the additional amount is received from the other account, causing the account to be topped up by the additional amount to pay for at least one communication service or transaction, provided or consummated, respectively via at least one of the external networks of different types.

52. The platform of claim 51, wherein said verification module uses a password sent from the user via the transceiver to verify that the user is associated with the account.

53. A platform, connected to a plurality of external networks of different-types and connectable to other platforms and user terminal devices, said platform providing communication services and changing amounts in accounts associated with users and comprising:

an interface through which a top up message and a request message are transmitted with respect to a user using one of the user terminal devices disposed outside of the platform;

a storage unit storing an account value associated with the user; and

a processor performing bill processing for the account associated with the user for a communication service and/or transaction provided to the user, determining if the account has available credit below a predetermined amount, establishing a connection to the one of the user terminal devices to send the request message to the user to request top up of the account such that the value of the account can be replenished to at or above the predetermined level, and receiving a response message from the one of the user terminal devices requesting top up of the account, and, if the user is authenticated as being associated with the account, said platform receiving an additional credit in a real-time transaction from another account stored on one of the other platforms and associated with the user in accordance with the request message and causing the account to be topped up using the additional amount to make the additional amount available to pay for at least one communication service or transaction, provided or consummated, respectively via at least one of the external networks.

54. The platform of claim 53,

further comprising a verification module authenticating that the user is associated with the account, and

wherein said processor further receives from the user a password unique to the user and provides the password to said verification module for the authentication of the user.