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Method and apparatus for billing of wireless telephone calls

  • US 6,169,891 B1
  • Filed: 04/26/1999
  • Issued: 01/02/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for billing wireless telephone calls, the method comprising the steps of:

  • signaling a call service provider that a caller will pay for an airtime charge for a call to a wireless telephone station;

    collecting a wireless telephone station number and a calling party account to be billed for the airtime charge for the call;

    determining whether the calling party account is valid;

    terminating the call when the calling party account is determined to be not valid;

    accessing a mobile switching center when the calling party account is determined to be valid;

    signaling a mobile switching center that the calling party will assume the airtime charge for the call;

    marking a mobile switching center record to indicate that a called party account associated with the wireless telephone station is not to be billed;

    completing connection of the call to the wireless telephone station;

    timing a duration of the call;

    transferring duration information for the call to the calling party account that is to be billed for the airtime charge;

    sending the mobile switching center record to the calling party account that is to be billed for the airtime charge;

    generating a bill for the caller that includes a long distance charge and the airtime charge; and

    remitting the airtime charge billed to a service provider providing wireless telephone service to the wireless telephone.

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