Call setup for prepaid services
First Claim
1. A method for setting up a call in a telephone network using a predetermined right of use of the telephone network, in which method the subscriber number of the calling subscriber and the subscriber number of the called subscriber are sent into the telephone network and the calling subscriber'"'"'s right of use is verified before the call is set up, comprising:
- adding a character string to the called subscriber number to be sent into the telephone network in conjunction with call setup for establishing from said character string in the telephone network that the caller is a calling subscriber who is utilizing a predetermined right of use and said character string comprises a calling subscriber-specific identifying code (PIN) corresponding to the calling subscriber number;
verifying the calling subscriber'"'"'s right of use in the telephone network on the basis of the calling subscriber-specific identifying code by comparing the identifying code (PIN) sent in conjunction with call setup with the identifying codes corresponding to the calling subscriber number;
if the identifying code is correct checking the calling subscriber'"'"'s remaining right of use and, if no right of use remains, giving a corresponding notice to the calling subscriber and terminating call setup; and
if the calling subscriber has a remaining right of use, then continuing the call setup process between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber in the normal way.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to the provision of prepaid services for the customers of a telecommunication network operator in a wired and/or mobile telephone network. The invention makes it possible to implement prepaid call services even in countries with a low level of development of telephony. In the procedure of the invention, it is not necessary to identify e.g. DTMF tones, but the normal dialling system can be used to the verification of right of use of the service.
44 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for setting up a call in a telephone network using a predetermined right of use of the telephone network, in which method the subscriber number of the calling subscriber and the subscriber number of the called subscriber are sent into the telephone network and the calling subscriber'"'"'s right of use is verified before the call is set up, comprising:
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adding a character string to the called subscriber number to be sent into the telephone network in conjunction with call setup for establishing from said character string in the telephone network that the caller is a calling subscriber who is utilizing a predetermined right of use and said character string comprises a calling subscriber-specific identifying code (PIN) corresponding to the calling subscriber number;
verifying the calling subscriber'"'"'s right of use in the telephone network on the basis of the calling subscriber-specific identifying code by comparing the identifying code (PIN) sent in conjunction with call setup with the identifying codes corresponding to the calling subscriber number;
if the identifying code is correct checking the calling subscriber'"'"'s remaining right of use and, if no right of use remains, giving a corresponding notice to the calling subscriber and terminating call setup; and
if the calling subscriber has a remaining right of use, then continuing the call setup process between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber in the normal way. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification