Method for controlling subscriber access to a fee-based service
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing a subscriber with a fee-based service during a telephone call if the caller is qualified, and affording the subscriber, if unqualified, the opportunity to become qualified during the same call to obtain the service, comprising the steps of:
- (a) verifying whether the subscriber is qualified to receive the service during said call;
(b) providing the subscriber with the service, when the subscriber is found to be qualified to receive the service, while accounting for how much service the subscriber is receiving;
(c) prompting the subscriber during said same call, when the subscriber is not qualified to receive the service, to enter qualifying information, including credit data, that would entitle the subscriber to receive the service;
(d) processing the qualifying information to verify whether the information is correct and, if so, then qualifying the subscriber to receive the service; and
(e) repeating step (b).
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Access by a subscriber (12) to a fee-based service is managed so that the subscriber, when qualified, receives the service. If the subscriber is found unqualified, then the subscriber is prompted to enter qualifying information, either in the form of the identity of a purchased product, or a bank credit card number. Once the subscriber is qualified, then the subscriber receives the service in the same manner as if he or she were initially found qualified.
56 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for providing a subscriber with a fee-based service during a telephone call if the caller is qualified, and affording the subscriber, if unqualified, the opportunity to become qualified during the same call to obtain the service, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) verifying whether the subscriber is qualified to receive the service during said call; (b) providing the subscriber with the service, when the subscriber is found to be qualified to receive the service, while accounting for how much service the subscriber is receiving; (c) prompting the subscriber during said same call, when the subscriber is not qualified to receive the service, to enter qualifying information, including credit data, that would entitle the subscriber to receive the service; (d) processing the qualifying information to verify whether the information is correct and, if so, then qualifying the subscriber to receive the service; and (e) repeating step (b). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. In a telephone network wherein a telephone subscriber seeking access to a desired fee-based telephone service obtains such access by placing a telephone call to the service provider, a method for controlling access to the service provider by the subscriber, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) routing the subscriber'"'"'s call to a gateway toll switch of an inter-exchange carrier wherein the call terminates; (b) connecting the call terminating at the switch to a call platform; (c) processing the call at the call platform to verify whether the subscriber is qualified to receive the service; (d) transferring the subscriber call to the service provider so the subscriber receives the desired service therefrom when the subscriber is found to be qualified, while accounting for how much service the subscriber is receiving; (e) prompting the subscriber during the call, when the subscriber is not qualified to receive the desired service, to enter qualifying information, including credit data, that would entitle the subscriber to receive the service; (f) processing the qualifying information at the call platform during the call to verify whether the information is correct and, if so, then qualifying the subscriber to receive the service; and (g) repeating step (d). - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification