Telephone calling card coupon
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for using a telephone calling card, comprising the steps of:
- providing said telephone calling card to a user in exchange for a payment corresponding to an initial balance of an account, said telephone calling card associated with an access code, said access code associated with said account, and said telephone calling card bearing coupon indicia conveying a discount on a purchase;
said user making a telephone connection to a service provider system;
said user providing said access code to said service provider system;
said service provider system completing a telephone connection between said user and a called party if said balance of said account associated with said access code is greater than a predetermined minimum;
said service provider debiting said account balance in response to said telephone connection to said called party;
said user making a purchase in exchange for a payment;
said user presenting said telephone calling card to a seller in response to said purchase; and
said seller discounting said payment in an amount of said discount indicated on said telephone calling card.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user purchases a card and uses it to make pre-paid telephone calls via a telephone service provider system associated with the issuer of the card. After the account balance on the card is depleted, the user can present the card to a merchant or other party for redemption in the manner of a discount coupon for products or services.
83 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method for using a telephone calling card, comprising the steps of:
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providing said telephone calling card to a user in exchange for a payment corresponding to an initial balance of an account, said telephone calling card associated with an access code, said access code associated with said account, and said telephone calling card bearing coupon indicia conveying a discount on a purchase;
said user making a telephone connection to a service provider system;
said user providing said access code to said service provider system;
said service provider system completing a telephone connection between said user and a called party if said balance of said account associated with said access code is greater than a predetermined minimum;
said service provider debiting said account balance in response to said telephone connection to said called party;
said user making a purchase in exchange for a payment;
said user presenting said telephone calling card to a seller in response to said purchase; and
said seller discounting said payment in an amount of said discount indicated on said telephone calling card. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification