System and method for managing prepaid wireless service

• US 6,480,710 B1
• Filed: 07/16/1999
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telemac Corporation
• Original Assignee: Telemac Corporation
• Inventors: Laybourn, Bernard Thomas, Watler, Theodore W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thanh Cong
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thuan T.
• Application Number:
  US09/354,904
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 455/406, 455/407, 455/408, 455/410, 455/413, 455/414, 455/466
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3255 using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3433 the counter having monetary units
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/28 with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/30 the meter or calculation of charges not being controlled from an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/67 Transmitting arrangements for sending billing related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/204 on-line recharging, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/24 with on-line recharging of an account or card, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/48 Sending information over a non-traffic network channel or another connection than the one actually used, e.g. signalling, D-channel, data and voice
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/92 Autonomous calculations of charges in terminal, i.e. meter not controlled from exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method facilitates provisioning of pre-paid wireless services. Credit refresh operations involving a pre-paid wireless communication device involve SMS messages transmitted to the device over-the-air. The device uses tariff tables to keep track of a calls impact on available credit. The tariff tables are updatable at the service provider'"'"'s discretion using SMS messages.

Claims

1. A method for managing a wireless prepaid service using a control arrangement and a wireless device having a memory, comprising the steps of:

storing a device identification number, calling tariff data, an available amount and one or more programs in the memory of the wireless device;

receiving a first signal from a telephone system, the first signal being indicative of a connection of a call;

after receiving the first signal, modifying the available amount as a function of the calling tariff data and a length of the call using the one or more programs; and

updating the calling tariff data in the memory of the wireless device using a first message sent via a data bearer communication service.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

storing an access number of the control arrangement in the memory of the wireless device.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

accessing the control arrangement via at least one of the wireless network, a wired telephone network and a communication network.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

preventing the wireless device from receiving and sending the call using the control arrangement.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the wireless device is prevented from receiving or sending the call when the available amount is less than a predetermined amount.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the control arrangement renders the wireless device incapable of receiving or sending the call when a condition suggesting fraud is detected.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the condition suggesting fraud is detected by monitoring data stored in a subscriber database located external to the wireless device and the available amount stored in the memory of the wireless device;

and

wherein the data stored in the subscriber database relates to usage information and the available amount.

8. The method according to claim 4 wherein the wireless device is prevented from receiving or sending the call by a customer service representative.

9. The method according to claim 4 wherein the step of preventing the wireless device from receiving or sending the call further comprises the substeps of:

transmitting a second message via the data bearer communication service to the wireless device; and

upon receiving the second message, restricting the wireless device so as to prevent it from receiving or sending the call.

10. The method according to claim 4 wherein the step of preventing the wireless device from receiving or sending the call further comprises the substeps of:

transmitting a second message via the data bearer communication service to the telephone system; and

upon receiving the second message, rendering the wireless device inoperable.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

if the wireless device is unable to receive and/or send the call, allowing the wireless device to contact the control arrangement via an access number.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining an update amount as a function of at least one of a prepaid card, a credit card and a debit card using the control arrangement;

transmitting the update amount to the wireless device using a second message sent via the data bearer communication service; and

modifying the available amount by the update amount within the memory of the wireless device in accordance with the second message.

13. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

updating the available amount in the memory of the wireless device using a second message sent via the data bearer communication service.

14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the data bearer communication service is short message service.

15. The method according to claim 1 wherein the memory of the wireless device includes a smartcard;

and

wherein one or more of the device identification number, the calling tariff data, the available amount and the one or more programs are stored in the smartcard.

16. The method according to claim 1 wherein the memory of the wireless device includes a subscriber identity module;

and

wherein one or more of the device identification number, the calling tariff data, the available amount and the one or more programs are stored in the subscriber identity module.

17. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

activating the wireless device.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the step of activating the wireless device further comprises substeps of:

storing the device identification number in the control arrangement;

forwarding the device identification number stored in the memory from the wireless device to the control arrangement;

determining whether the device identification number forwarded from the wireless device is valid by comparing it to the device identification number stored in the control arrangement and whether the wireless device has been previously activated;

upon determining that the forwarded device identification number is valid and the wireless device has not been previously activated, transmitting one or more codes to the wireless device;

upon receiving the one or more codes, executing the one or more application programs so as to enable the wireless device to perform its normal functions; and

after executing the one or more application programs, forwarding an acknowledgment to the control arrangement to indicate that the wireless device has been activated.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein communications between the control arrangement and the wireless device are implemented using messages sent via the data bearer communication service.

20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the device identification number is a MSISDN.

21. A system for managing a wireless prepaid service, comprising:

means for storing one or more of a device identification number, calling tariff data, an available amount and one or more programs on a wireless device;

means for receiving a first signal from a telephone system, the first signal being indicative of a connection of a call;

means for modifying the available amount as a function of the calling tariff data and a length of the call using the one or more application programs upon receiving the first signal; and

means for updating the calling tariff data in the wireless device using a first message sent via a data bearer communication service.

22. The system according to claim 21 further comprising:

means for updating the available amount in the wireless device using a second message sent via the data bearer communication service.

23. The system according to claim 21 wherein the data bearer communication service is short message service.

24. The system according to claim 21 wherein the means for storing one or more of the device identification number, the calling tariff data, the available amount and the one or more programs is implemented as a smartcard.

25. The system according to claim 21 wherein the means for storing one or more of the device identification number, the calling tariff data, the available amount and/or the one or more programs is implemented as a subscriber identity module.

26. The system according to claim 21 further comprising:

means for activating the wireless device.

27. The system according to claim 26 wherein the means for activating the wireless device further comprises:

means for storing the device identification number in a control arrangement;

means for forwarding the device identification number stored in the wireless device to the control arrangement;

means for determining whether the device identification number forwarded from the wireless device is valid by comparing it to the device identification number stored in the control arrangement and whether the wireless device has been previously activated;

means for transmitting one or more codes to the wireless device upon determining that the forwarded device identification number is valid and the wireless device has not been previously activated;

means for executing the one or more application programs so as to enable the wireless device to perform its normal functions upon receiving the one or more codes; and

means for forwarding an acknowledgment to the control arrangement to indicate that the wireless device has been activated after executing the one or more application programs.

28. The system according to claim 27 wherein the device identification number is a MSISDN.

29. The system according to claim 21 further comprising:

means for preventing the wireless device from receiving and sending the call using at least one of a control arrangement and the wireless device.

30. The system according to claim 29 further comprising:

means for allowing the wireless device to contact the control arrangement via the access number if the wireless device is unable to receive and/or send the call.

31. The system according to claim 21 further comprising:

means for determining an update amount as a function of at least one of a prepaid card, a credit card and a debit card using the control arrangement;

means for transmitting the update amount to the wireless device using a second message sent via the data bearer communication service; and

means for modifying the available amount by the update amount within the memory of the wireless device in accordance with the second message.

32. The system according to claim 29 wherein the wireless device is prevented from receiving or sending the call when the available amount is less than a predetermined amount.

33. The system according to claim 29 wherein the wireless device is prevented from receiving or sending the call when a condition suggesting fraud is detected.

34. The system according to claim 33 wherein the condition suggesting fraud is detected by monitoring data stored in a subscriber database located external to the wireless device and the available amount stored in the memory of the wireless device;

and

wherein the data stored in the subscriber database relates to usage information and the available amount.

35. The system according to claim 29 wherein the wireless device is prevented from receiving or sending the call by a customer service representative.

36. The system according to claim 29 wherein the means for preventing the wireless device from receiving or sending the call further comprises:

means for transmitting a second message via the data bearer communication service to the wireless device; and

means for restricting the wireless device so as to prevent it from receiving or sending the call upon receiving the second message.

37. The system according to claim 29 wherein the means for preventing the wireless device from receiving or sending the call further comprises:

means for transmitting a second message via the data bearer communication service to the telephone system; and

the telephone system further comprises means for rendering the wireless device inoperable upon receiving the second message.