Portable communication unit with discrete allocable blocks of airtime

• US 5,983,091 A
• Filed: 01/05/1995
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TracFone Wireless, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Omni Telecommunications, Inc.
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Manuel
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US08/369,003
• Time in Patent Office: 1,769 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/60, 379/62, 455/405
• US Class Current: 455/405
• 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 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

A portable communication unit that operates based upon predetermined discrete blocks of airtime. The unit may be operated as a conventional portable communication unit when airtime is available, and operation of the unit for conventional communication is disabled when all the airtime has been used. By entering a specific code, which may be supplied by a dealer, the user may activate an additional block of airtime. Two classes of airtime may be provided; home time airtime which is used when the unit is within the area of a local or primary communication service provider, and roam time airtime which is used when the unit is outside of the area of a local or primary communication service provider. The unit may be programmed, preferably only by the dealer, with toll restrictor codes that limit the available range of numbers with which the unit may initiate a communication session.

Claims

1. A portable communication unit capable of establishing a communication session according to a predetermined protocol, said unit comprising:

keypad means having a plurality of keys,

memory means for storing a plurality of different parameters, including at least an identification code and a value relating to the amount of available service time, said value including at least a first class of service time related to a predetermined region and a second class of service time related to areas outside said predetermined region,

service time allocation means for increasing the value relating to the amount of available service time in response to a predetermined code entered by activation of a corresponding sequence of said keys,

display means for selectively displaying one or more of said parameters associated with said unit,

communication means for establishing a communication session,

means for decrementing the value relating to the amount of available service time, said decrementing means decrementing said first class of service time when said portable communication unit is within said predetermined region and said decrementing means decrementing said second class of service time when said portable communication unit is outside of said predetermined region,

means for enabling said communication means when said value relating to the amount of available service time is greater than a predetermined value, and

means for disabling said communication means when said value relating to the amount of available service time is less than said predetermined value.

2. A portable communication unit as set forth in claim 1 further comprising restriction means for limiting the available range of numbers with which said communication means may establish a communication session.

3. A portable communication unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said restriction means includes a predetermined access restriction profile.

4. A portable communication unit according to claim 1 wherein said disabling means operates to disable said communication means and further wherein at least one pre-authorized and predetermined number is stored in said memory means with which the unit may initiate a communication session.

5. A portable communication unit according to claim 1 wherein said means for decrementing decrements said value of said first class of service time at a first rate during a communication session within said predetermined region and decrements said value of said second class of service time at a second rate during a communication session outside said predetermined region.

6. A portable communication unit according to claim 1 wherein said service time allocation means increases the value relating to the amount of available service time in response to an activation signal received by the unit while engaged in a communication session.

7. A portable communication unit according to claim 1 wherein said service time allocation means increases the value relating to the amount of available service time in response to an activation signal received by the unit during the process of registration of said portable communication unit.