Pre-paid wireless interactive voice response system with variable announcements

• US 6,748,066 B1
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Espejo, Judith C., Casey, Lance F., Andia, Carmen D., Martin, Judy D., Rudd, Adrian C., Meek, Susan F., Boyden, Brenda L.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEAVER, SCOTT LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US09/749,823
• Time in Patent Office: 1,258 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/76, 379/88.05, 379/88.06, 379/88.16, 379/88.22, 379/88.23, 379/88.24, 379/114.15, 379/114.16, 379/114.17, 379/114.2, 455/412, 455/413, 455/414, 455/563, 455/412.1, 455/414.1
• US Class Current: 379/114.2
• 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 15/44 Augmented, consolidated or itemized billing statement or bill presentation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/72 by the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/84 Types of notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/842 Announcement, e.g. IVR dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/844 Message, e.g. SMS
• 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 2215/0104 Augmented, consolidated or itemised billing statement, e.g. additional billing information, bill presentation, layout, format, e-mail, fax, printout, itemised bill per service or per account, cumulative billing, consolidated billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0168 On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7036 Administer via user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/81 Notifying aspects, e.g. notifications or displays to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8129 Type of notification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8133 Announcement, e.g. IVR dialogue, intelligent peripheral or switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8137 Message, e.g. alphanumeric text, SMS, MMS, EMS or www-based messaging service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/82 Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals

Abstract

A wireless communications system providing interactive voice response is disclosed. The system is menu driven, and can accept information as well as deliver information to the customer in the form of prompts or prompt information. The system includes provisions that permit customers to vary the prompt information. In prompt information can be varied in a number ways, including the method of delivery, the content, pre or post-call prompts, and the frequency in which the prompt information is delivered.

Claims

1. An interactive voice response system for pre-paid wireless service, comprising:

a peripheral device in communication with a mobile switching system, the mobile switching system capable of communicating with at least one wireless device;

an IVR application on the peripheral device comprising a menu driven system adapted to receive information from a customer and provide prompt information to the customer;

wherein the menu driven system permits customers to vary the prompt information,

and wherein varying the prompt information determines prompt information communicated to the customer when a pre-paid wireless call is made.

2. The interactive voice response system according to claim 1, wherein the menu driven system permits customers to vary the way in which the prompt information is delivered.

3. The interactive voice response system according to claim 2, wherein the prompt information is delivered as a voice message.

4. The interactive voice response system according to claim 2, wherein the prompt information is delivered as a text message.

5. The interactive voice response system according to claim 1, wherein the menu driven system permits customers to vary the content of the prompt information.

6. The interactive voice response system according to claim 5, wherein the customer can choose to include current account balance in the prompt information.

7. The interactive voice response system according to claim 5, wherein the customer can choose to include time and date of the last incoming or outgoing call in the prompt information.

8. The interactive voice response system according to claim 5, wherein the customer can choose to include the duration of the last call in the prompt information.

9. The interactive voice response system according to claim 5, wherein the customer can choose to include the cost of the call in the prompt information.

10. The interactive voice response system according to claim 5, wherein the customer can chose to include information related to the last replenishment in the prompt information.

11. The interactive voice response system according to claim 1, wherein the menu driven system permits customers to select pre-call delivery of the prompt information.

12. The interactive voice response system according to claim 1, wherein the menu driven system permits customers to select post-call delivery of the prompt information.

13. The interactive voice response system according to claim 1, wherein the menu driven system permits customers to select the frequency of delivery of the prompt information.

14. The interactive voice response system according to claim 13, wherein customers can choose to receive the prompt information at selected intervals.

15. The interactive voice response system according to claim 14, wherein the interval is based on a number of calls.

16. The interactive voice response system according to claim 4, wherein the interval is based on a dollar amount.

17. The interactive voice response system according to claim 1, wherein the menu driven system permits customers to select delivery of the prompt information only after a threshold has been reached.

18. The interactive voice response system according to claim 17, s Wherein the threshold is based on an estimated number of available minutes.

19. The interactive voice response system according to claim 17, wherein the threshold is based on a remaining balance.

20. The interactive voice response system according to claim 1, wherein the menu driven system permits customers to choose between at least a minimum prompt information mode and a maximum prompt information mode.