Telephony platform and method for providing enhanced communication services

• US 6,320,947 B1
• Filed: 09/14/1999
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Satyam Enterprise Solutions Limited (Tech Mahindra Limited), Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Satyam Enterprise Solutions Limited (Tech Mahindra Limited), Touch Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Mambakkam Kachapesvaran, Ramkumar, Verma, J. S. J. L. K., Gupta, Richa, Undavalli, Prasad, Nallagonda, Bhanumurthy, Bonajiri, Sivaramayya, Alla, Rajesh, Ravi, S. D. V., Joyce, Simon James, Kaushal, Alok, Govind, Raghuram, Raju, Janaki Rama, Ray, Biswajit Sundar, Gupta, Prafulla C., Reddy, Ashok K., Rao, K. Veerabhadra, Nallajerla, Kondal Rao, Velpuri, Surya Sekhar, Sistla, Krishna Mohan, Ayyala, Sree Ram Murthy, Vaidya, Manohar S., G., Amba Prasad
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Stella
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, QUOC DUC
• Application Number:
  US09/395,868
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 379/111, 379/112, 379/113, 379/114, 379/144, 379/201, 379/222
• US Class Current: 379/114.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3821 Electronic credentials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4016 involving fraud or risk level assessment in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/403 Solvency checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/409 Device specific authentication in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1025 Identification of user by a PIN code
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/122 Online card verification
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• 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 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8038 Roaming or handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 : involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 : Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/85 : characterised by the type of condition triggering a notification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 : Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/02 : Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/10 : Account details or usage
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 : Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/34 : Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 : Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 : Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 : Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 : Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 : Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 : Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13134 : Coin boxes, payphone, prepaid
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1315 : Call waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13152 : Callback
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 : Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13274 : Call rejection, call barring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13331 : Abbreviated dialling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1334 : Configuration within the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 : Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13372 : Intercepting operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/108 : Source integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 : Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing

Abstract

An advanced intelligent communication system that provides subscriber-requested, advanced communication services through existing communication switches even in those circumstances in which the hardware communication switch is not configured to provide such communication services. The system supports the use of personal identification number access cards for use in fixed and mobile markets from any communication device located anywhere in the world and provides flexible call processing and switching services that deliver enhanced computer telephony capabilities utilizing standard communication equipment and operating systems.

Claims

1. A method of providing prepaid communication services via a network or networks, the method comprising:

receiving from a user a personal identification number;

authenticating the personal identification number;

accepting, on an enhanced services platform, from the user, upon authentication of the personal identification number, at least one of a request for a communication service, a commercial transaction and a request for user account information originating from any one of a plurality of networks of different types, wherein a user requesting account information includes at least one of a service customer, a transaction customer, a service provider, a transaction provider, an external carrier, and a sales agent;

verifying, by the enhanced services platform, that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service, the commercial transaction, and the user account information, and that an account linked to the personal identification number has sufficient value to pay for the least one of the communication service and commercial transaction;

providing, by the enhanced services platform, the at least one of the communication service, the commercial transaction and the user account information to the authorized user via a network or networks comprising at least the Internet; and

charging, via the enhanced services platform, an authorized user account for providing the at least one of the communication service and the commercial transaction.

2. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing the communication service is accomplished through at least one of a network or networks further comprising:

a landline communication network;

a wireless communication network;

a wide area network;

a global computer network;

a cable network;

or

a satellite network.

3. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 2, wherein said providing step uses a high level application programming interface executing on the enhanced services platform independent of any hardware connecting the platform to the network or networks.

4. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 1, wherein said step of charging comprises decrementing a charge from an online pre-paid user account or adding a charge to an outline credit account.

5. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 1, wherein the communication services comprise at least one of:

out-calling functions;

Internet services;

voice mail functions; and

call conferencing functions.

6. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 5, wherein the communication services further comprise at least one of:

administration functions;

card management functions;

account management functions;

external carrier and rate plan functions;

sales administration functions; and

system security function.

7. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 5, wherein the communication services are accessed with a personal identification number access card.

8. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 6, wherein the enhanced services platform is an interactive voice response system.

9. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 7, wherein the communication services are accessed by a user through any type of switch, without upgrading the switch.

10. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 1, wherein said providing step uses a high level application programming interface executing on the enhanced services platform independent of any hardware connecting the platform to the switch.

11. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 1, wherein the communication services at least one of comprise:

call forwarding functions;

call waiting functions;

automatic alarm functions;

abbreviated dialing functions;

voice mail functions;

call conferencing functions;

call acceptance/rejection functions;

call back functions;

password functions; and

interception functions.

12. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 11, wherein the communication services are accessed by a user with a personal identification number access card.

13. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 11, wherein the enhanced services platform is an interactive voice response system.

14. The method of providing pre-paid communication services according to claim 11, wherein the enhanced communication services are accessed by user through any type of switch, without upgrading the switch.

15. The method of providing pre-paid communication services via a network or networks according to claim 1, wherein the enhanced services platform includes rating engines for dynamically calculating usage charges corresponding to a user-requested communication service or user-requested commercial transaction.

16. The method of providing pre-paid communication services via a network or networks according to claim 1, further comprising:

providing, by the enhanced services platform, simultaneous processing of real-time settlement data for the at least one of the communication service and commercial transaction.

17. A telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users, the telephony platform comprising:

an input device to receive a personal identification number from a user, to receive at least one of an enhanced telecommunication service selection from a user from a plurality of enhanced telecommunication services, a commercial transaction and a user request for user account information, wherein a user requesting account information includes at least one of a service customer, a transaction customer, a service provider, a transaction provider, an external carrier, and a sales agent;

a storage device storing account data related to the user;

a verification module to authenticate the personal identification number input by the input device, to verify that the user is authorized to receive the user-selected enhanced telecommunication service, the commercial transaction, and/or the user account information, and to verify that the stored account data comprises an account balance sufficient to pay for the user-selected enhanced telecommunication service; and

a processor programmed to provide the user-selected enhanced telecommunication service, the commercial transaction, and/or the user-requested account information to the user, via a network or networks comprising at least the Internet, upon successful completion of the verification module'"'"'s authenticating an input number and verifying an authorized user.

18. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to uses according to claim 17, wherein the telephony platform is coupled to at least one of a network or networks further comprising:

a landline communication network;

a wireless communication network;

a wide area network;

a global computer network;

a cable network;

or

a satellite network.

19. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 18, further comprising a high level application programming interface, wherein the telephony platform is independent of any hardware coupling the platform the platform to the network or networks.

20. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 17, wherein the processor is programmed to include the cost of providing the user-selected enhanced telecommunication service in the user'"'"'s account data.

21. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 17, wherein the enhanced telecommunication services further comprise at least one of:

out-calling functions;

voice mail functions; and

call conferencing function.

22. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 21, wherein the enhanced telecommunication services further comprise at least one of:

administration functions;

account management functions;

external carrier and rate plan functions; and

management information functions.

23. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 21, further comprising a personal identification number access card authenticating user access to the enhanced telecommunication services.

24. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 22, wherein the telephony platform includes an interactive voice response system to request and provide enhanced telecommunication services.

25. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 17, wherein the processor provides the enhanced telecommunication services through any type of switch, without upgrading the switch.

26. The telephony platform platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 17, wherein the user account information comprises:

billing address;

account ID;

status of account;

transaction history

billing cycle;

discounts;

user identity;

financial soundness;

payment information;

card types;

or

contracts.

27. The telephony platform platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 17, wherein the user account information comprises:

business type;

bill cycle;

multiple addresses;

customer ID;

contact persons;

or

contract terms.

28. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to user, the telephony platform comprising:

an input device to receive at least one of an enhanced telecommunication service selection from a user from a plurality of enhanced telecommunication services, a commercial transaction, and a user request for user account information;

a storage device to store account data related to the user;

a verification module to verify that the user is authorized to receive a user-selected telecommunication service, the commercial transaction, and/or the user account information and to verify that the stored account data comprises an account balance sufficient to pay for the at least one of the user-selected enhanced telecommunication service and commercial transaction;

a charging unit to charge, by rating engines included in the telephony platform which dynamically calculate usage charges corresponding to the at least one of the telecommunication service and the commercial transaction, an authorized user account for providing the telecommunication service and/or commercial transaction; and

a processor programmed to provide to the user-selected enhanced telecommunication service, the commercial transaction, and/or the user-requested account information to the user, via a network or networks comprising at least the Internet, upon successful completion of the verification module'"'"'s verifying an authorized user.

29. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 28, wherein the telephony platform is coupled to at least one of a network or networks, further comprising:

a landline communication network;

a wireless communication network;

a wide area network;

a global computer network;

a cable network;

or

a satellite network.

30. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 29, further comprising a high level application programming interface, wherein the telephony platform is independent of any hardware coupling the platform to the network or networks.

31. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 28, wherein the processor is programmed to include the cost of providing the user-selected enhanced telecommunication service and/or commercial truncation in the user'"'"'s account data.

32. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 28, wherein the enhanced telecommunication services comprise at least one of:

call forwarding functions;

call waiting functions;

automatic alarm functions;

abbreviated dialing functions;

voice mail functions;

call conferencing functions;

call acceptance/rejection functions;

call back functions;

password functions; and

interception functions.

33. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 32, further comprising a personal identification number access card authenticating a user'"'"'s access to the enhanced telecommunication services.

34. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 32, wherein the telephony platform includes an interactive voice response system to request and provide enhanced telecommunication services.

35. The telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users according to claim 32, wherein the processor provides the enhanced telecommunication service and/or the commercial transaction through any type of switch, without upgrading the switch.

36. A method of providing pre-paid communication services for facilitating commercial transactions via a network or networks, the method comprising:

accepting, on an enhanced services platform, a request for a commercial transaction and/or a request for user account information from an authenticated user, wherein a user requesting account information includes at least one of a transaction customer, a transaction provider, an external carrier, and a sales agent;

verifying, by the enhanced services platform, that the user is authorized to perform the commercial transaction and/or authorized to receive user account information, and that an account linked to a personal identifier of the user has sufficient value to pay for a user-requested commercial transaction;

dynamically determining, by the enhanced services platform, charges corresponding to a user-requested commercial transaction using rating engines provided in the enhanced services platform;

charging, via the enhanced services platform, the account for executing a user-requested commercial transaction based upon the dynamically determined charges, wherein said charging the account comprises decrementing a charge from an online pre-paid user account or adding a charge to an online credit account; and

executing, by the enhanced services platform, user-requested commercial transaction and/or providing the user-requested account information via a network or networks comprising at least the Internet.

37. The method of providing communication services for facilitating commercial transaction via a network or networks according to claim 36, wherein said executing the user-requested commercial transaction and/or user-requested account information is accomplished through a one or more networks further comprising at least one of:

a landline communication network;

a wireless communication network;

a wide area network;

a global computer network;

a cable network;

or

a satellite network.

38. The method of providing communication services for facilitating commercial transactions via a network or networks according to claim 36, wherein in accepting a request, the request for the commercial transaction and/or request for user account information may originate from any one of a plurality of networks of different types.

39. The method of providing communication services for facilitating commercial transactions via a network or networks according to claim 36, wherein said executing the commercial transaction and/or user-requested account information uses a high level application programming interface executing on the enhanced services platform independent of any hardware connecting the platform to the network or networks.

40. The method of providing communication services for facilitating commercial transactions via a network or networks according to claim 36, further comprising:

accepting, on the enhanced services platform, a request for one or more business functions, comprising

administration functions;

card management functions;

external carrier and rate plan functions;

sales administration functions;

system security functions; and

account management functions, including providing for an authorized user'"'"'s reallocation of funds within sub-accounts from a master account.

41. The method of providing communication services for facilitating commercial transactions via a network or networks according to claim 40, wherein the commercial transactions are accessed with a personal identification number access card.

42. The method of providing communication services for facilitating commercial transactions via a network or networks according to claim 41, wherein the enhanced services platform is an interactive voice response system.

43. The method of providing communication services for facilitating commercial transactions via a network or networks according to claim 36, further comprising:

providing, by the enhanced services platform, simultaneous processing of real-time settlement data related to the user-requested commercial transactions.

44. A communication method using an enhanced services platform for providing pre-paid services and commercial transactions via a plurality of networks, comprising:

accepting, on the enhanced services platform, at least one of a request for a communication service, a commercial transaction and a request for user account information from an authenticated user, the request originating from any one of a plurality of networks of different types;

verifying, by the enhanced services platform, that the authenticated user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service, the commercial transaction, and the user account information, and that an account linked to the authenticated user has sufficient value to pay for the at least one of the communication service and the commercial transaction;

charging, by rating engines included in the enhanced services platform which dynamically calculate usage charges corresponding to the at least one of the communication service and the commercial transaction, an authorized user account for providing the at least one of the communication service and commercial transaction;

providing, by the enhanced services platform, simultaneous processing of real-time settlement data for the at least one the communication service and commercial transaction; and

providing, via the enhanced services platform, the at least one of the communication service and the commercial transaction based upon said verifying of the authenticated user and said charging of the authorized user account, and the user-requested account information based upon said verifying of the authenticated user.

45. The communication method using an enhanced services platform for providing pre-paid services and commercial transactions via a plurality of networks according to claim 44, wherein the enhanced services platform further comprises card and account management functions, including providing for an authorized user'"'"'s reallocation of funds within sub-accounts from a master account.