Method of providing message service for pinless limited access telecommunications
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of operating a telecommunication system for providing a message service to a plurality of end-users, which comprises:
- (a.) utilizing a telecommunication system having telecommunication lines with a telecommunication switching network and a computerized central switching station to establish a billing system for sponsors and to form an account for each sponsor purchasing subsequent usage relating to one or more third party telephone numbers, said usage being based on a predetermined bulk rate for consumption of user time over a reset time period;
(b.) distributing a user unit to each of a plurality of end users for calling said one or more third party telephone numbers and providing to each said end-users said one or more third party telephone numbers, and requiring each end user to provide to the system at least one unique identification number, said at least one unique identification number being unique to each said user unit;
(c.) in connection with said billing system, programming said computerized central switching station to permit a call of a preset message limit to be made by each end user to said third party phone number provided, based on said distributed user unit, accessed only by said end-users providing the requested unique identification number; and
,(d.) in response to an end user calling said third party telephone number and the end user providing the requested unique identification number, then providing a predetermined message to said end user in accordance with said preset message limit, automatically terminating said call, and charging an appropriate time amount to said account of said sponsor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention method provides a limited access massage service to a plurality of end-users and uses existing telecommunication lines with a switching network and a computerized central switching station to establish a billing system for sponsors and to form an account for each sponsor purchasing subsequent usage relating to at least one third party telephone number, the usage being based on a predetermined bulk rate for consumption of user time over a preset time period. It also includes distributing a user unit to each of a plurality of end users for calling the at least one third party telephone number. Each end-user is given the third party telephone number, and must provide to the system at least one unique identification number. In connection with the billing system, the computerized central switching station is programmed to permit a call of a preset message limit to be made by each end user to the third party phone number provided, based on the distributed user unit, accessed only by the end user providing to the computerized central switching station a unique identification number. In response to an end user calling the third party telephone number, a predetermined message is provided with a preset limit, the call is terminated and an appropriate time amount is charged to the account of the sponsor. The messages record of each consumed user unit is captured by the system and may be used by the sponsor for database marketing.
99 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of operating a telecommunication system for providing a message service to a plurality of end-users, which comprises:
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(a.) utilizing a telecommunication system having telecommunication lines with a telecommunication switching network and a computerized central switching station to establish a billing system for sponsors and to form an account for each sponsor purchasing subsequent usage relating to one or more third party telephone numbers, said usage being based on a predetermined bulk rate for consumption of user time over a reset time period; (b.) distributing a user unit to each of a plurality of end users for calling said one or more third party telephone numbers and providing to each said end-users said one or more third party telephone numbers, and requiring each end user to provide to the system at least one unique identification number, said at least one unique identification number being unique to each said user unit; (c.) in connection with said billing system, programming said computerized central switching station to permit a call of a preset message limit to be made by each end user to said third party phone number provided, based on said distributed user unit, accessed only by said end-users providing the requested unique identification number; and
,(d.) in response to an end user calling said third party telephone number and the end user providing the requested unique identification number, then providing a predetermined message to said end user in accordance with said preset message limit, automatically terminating said call, and charging an appropriate time amount to said account of said sponsor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification