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Cellular phone system wherein the air time use is predetermined

  • US 5,826,185 A
  • Filed: 08/19/1996
  • Issued: 10/20/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A cellular phone communications system wherein a cellular phone user purchases an account having a predetermined amount of air time units prior to initiating any cellular phone calls, the system comprising:

  • a. a cellular phone for calling a telephone number for causing a first signal to be generated;

    b. a cellular switching device, having a cellular port and a telephone exchange port, the cellular switching device being responsive to receiving the first signal, for generating a second signal identifying the cellular phone being utilized and consisting essentially of at least one dual-tone-multi-frequency (DTMF) or multi-frequency (MF) tones, the cellular phone being coupled to the cellular port and being remotely located from the cellular switching device; and

    c. a tracking interface, responsive to receiving the second signal and coupled by a voice transmission line to the telephone exchange port of the cellular switching device for;

    (1) verifying whether the cellular phone identified by the second signal has any air time units available in the account, a return signal being sent to the cellular phone user indicating to the cellular phone user that the number to be called should be entered,(2) checking the telephone number called to see if it is valid, the call being connected to a telephone line if valid,(3) monitoring the call in order to deduct units of air time during the call, the call being terminated when air time units are no longer available.

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