Method and system for using caller pays service for single use and short term access to internet subscription services
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for using an existing caller pays service telecommunications infrastructure to provide single use and short term access to fee for access Internet web sites, the method comprising:
- (a) registering one or more fee for access Internet web sites with an access code handling system to generate and communicate session user ID and password pairs to be used to access each fee for access Internet web site;
(b) provisioning one or more caller pays numbers for each registered fee for access Internet web site, and registering each provisioned number with one or more intelligent network service switches to which the provisioned numbers would be routed;
(c) routing any user originated calls by a user who desires to access the one or more fee for access Internet sites to both an automated voice response unit and a caller pays service for billing system;
(d) providing the user with a session user ID via a display generated by the fee for access Internet web site;
(e) communicating to the user via the caller pays telecommunications infrastructure a password associated with the session user ID and service option for the registered fee for access Internet web site via the automated voice response unit; and
(f) billing the user for the service option with the caller pays service billing network.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Internet users may utilize a method and system for collecting small access fees for one-time/limited time access to fee for access web sites by capitalizing on the capabilities afforded by the combination of caller pays telephone service and intelligent network services that implement the voice response units for toll free service.
87 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for using an existing caller pays service telecommunications infrastructure to provide single use and short term access to fee for access Internet web sites, the method comprising:
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(a) registering one or more fee for access Internet web sites with an access code handling system to generate and communicate session user ID and password pairs to be used to access each fee for access Internet web site;
(b) provisioning one or more caller pays numbers for each registered fee for access Internet web site, and registering each provisioned number with one or more intelligent network service switches to which the provisioned numbers would be routed;
(c) routing any user originated calls by a user who desires to access the one or more fee for access Internet sites to both an automated voice response unit and a caller pays service for billing system;
(d) providing the user with a session user ID via a display generated by the fee for access Internet web site;
(e) communicating to the user via the caller pays telecommunications infrastructure a password associated with the session user ID and service option for the registered fee for access Internet web site via the automated voice response unit; and
(f) billing the user for the service option with the caller pays service billing network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
accessing the registered fee for access Internet web site via a user terminal;
in response to the accessing, displaying a web page indicating user-selectable options including single use and short term access and fees associated therewith at the user terminal; and
enabling user selection of the single use and short term access options to the fee for access Internet web site.
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3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of providing the user with a session user ID includes querying a database comprising unused session ID numbers and retrieving a session user ID in response to the user'"'"'s service option selection for communication to the user.
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4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of providing the user with a session user ID further includes communicating a caller pays call number to the user via the user terminal, the user dialing the caller pays call number and entering the session user ID to the automated voice response unit via a telephone keypad.
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5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of providing the user with a session user ID further includes accessing the access code handling system for generating password associated with the session user ID and relaying the password to the user via the automated voice response unit.
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6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the access code handling system further transmits the session user ID and password combination to the registered fee for access Internet web site via the Internet.
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7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising initiating display of a user login display prompting user entry of the session user ID and the password, in response to the step of communicating a password associated with the session user ID and service option.
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8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising verifying the entered session user ID and the password via the logon display against valid user ID and password combination transmitted by the code handling system, after the step of communicating a password associated with the session user ID and service option.
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9. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of dialing the caller pays call number comprises initiating communication with the caller pays service billing network, via an intelligent network services switch, for initiating a charge for the call, the automated voice response unit further communicating information related to the session user ID to enable billing by the caller pays service billing network.
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10. A system for implementing an existing caller pays telecommunications infrastructure to provide single use and short term access to fee for access Internet web sites, the system comprising:
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(a) an access code handling system for generating and communicating user ID and password pairs to be used to validate payment for access to each fee for access Internet web site;
(b) a provisioning system for registering one or more caller pays call numbers for each fee access Internet web site and registering each provisioned number within one or more intelligent network service switches to which the provisioned numbers would be routed;
(c) a public switched network for routing any user originated calls by a user who desires to access the one or more fee for access Internet web sites to both an automated voice response unit and a caller pays billing system via the one or more intelligent network service switches;
(d) the fee for access Internet web site providing a web-based communication to the user enabling user selection of the one or more service options and generating a session user ID in accordance with the user selection, the user communicating the user ID to the access code handling system via the automated voice response unit and, a network switch initiating billing for the user selection via the caller pays service billing system, and the access code handling system generating an associated password according to a password assignment protocol;
wherein the automated voice response unit further communicates to the user, in response to receipt of a session user ID, an associated password in accordance with the password assignment protocol for the registered fee for access Internet web site, and the access code handling system communicated the user ID, the password and the service option to the registered fee for access Internet web site; and
,(e) a verification device for verifying the session user ID and password provided to the user and the session user ID and password communicated to the fee for access Internet web site, whereby the fee for access Internet web site enabling access to web site content upon verification.
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11. A method for utilizing an access code handling system to control a user'"'"'s access to digital data provided by an on-line server over a data network, wherein a billing system separate from the on-line server charges the user for access to the digital data, the method comprising the steps of:
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the user receiving from the on-line server a user ID code;
the access code handling system receiving, from the billing system, a message indicating that the user has requested access to digital data via the user ID code;
the access code handling system communicating a password associated with the user ID code to a voice response unit, the voice response unit communicating to the user the password; and
the access code handling system providing, to the billing system, indication that the password has been communicated to the user, the billing system assigning appropriate charges to the user'"'"'s telephone service provider account.
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Specification