Method of billing a communication session conducted over a computer network

• US 7,013,001 B1
• Filed: 10/17/2002
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Credit Card Fraud Control Corporation (Acacia Research Corporation), Fraud Control Systems com Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fraud Control Systems com Corporation
• Inventors: Felger, David
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DUC MINH
• Application Number:
  US10/274,274
• Time in Patent Office: 1,244 Days
• Field of Search: 379/111, 379/112.01, 379/114.01, 379/114.05, 379/114.06, 379/114.09, 379/114.14, 379/114.15, 379/114.17, 37911419-11426, 379/127.02, 379/127.05, 379/128, 379133-134
• US Class Current: 379/115.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• 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 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0116 Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0188 Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number
• 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

Abstract

A method of billing a communication session between a user and a value-added service. A request is received from a user for a communication session, such as a circuit-switched call, a computer-network telephony call or a multimedia session, between the user and a value-added service. Information associated with a credit account is requested before the user is connected to the value-added service. The information associated with the credit account, such as credit card information, debit card information or checking account information, is received in real time. Credit account information, which includes the received information associated with the credit account and a predetermined amount that is to be charged to the credit account, is communicated to a payment authorization database, which can be located locally or remotely. Alternatively, the credit account information includes the received information associated with the credit account and a predetermined amount that is to be set aside in the credit account for the communication session. Payment authorization information associated with the credit account is received from the remote site before the user is connected to the value-added service. The user is connected to the value-added service when the payment authorization information is affirmative. A total charge for the communication session that is based on an actual time that the user is connected to the value-added service is calculated when the communication session is terminated. Lastly, session charge information associated with the communication session is transmitted to the remote site when the communication session is terminated, the session charge information including information for charging the credit account an amount representing a charge for the communication session.

Claims

1. A method for controlling communication session access to a value-added service using a computer network, the method comprising steps of:

receiving a service representative log-in request from a value-added service representative, the service representative log-in request identifying one or more preferences of the representative regarding one or more types of calls that the representative prefers to handle;

responsive to the service representative log-in request, identifying the availability of the representative in a list of value-added service representatives, the list identifying availability of a plurality of value-added service representatives for handling calls and identifying one or more preferences of the value-added service representatives regarding types of calls that the representatives prefer to handle;

receiving, via a web page, a user request to establish a communication session with one or more value-added service representatives, the user request identifying a type of session that the user would like to have;

using the user request identification of a type of session that the user would like to have, and the one or more preferences of the value-added service representatives regarding the types of calls that the representatives prefer to handle, to select one or more corresponding service representatives to handle a communication session with the user;

receiving a unique identification of the user;

receiving method-of-payment information from said user to pay for service provided during said communication session;

performing fraud control based on either the unique identification or the received method-of-payment information associated with the user being contained in a negative database relating to payment history associated with the user; and

establishing a communication session between the user and the one or more corresponding service representatives when the user passes fraud control.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the negative database includes information relating to a disputed charge.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of transmitting session charge information associated with the communication session to a payment authorization database, the session charge information including information for charging a credit account an amount representing a charge for the communication session.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the charge for the communication session is based on a per minute rate.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method of payment information includes information associated with a credit account, further comprising steps of:

communicating the credit account information to the payment authorization database before the communication session is established; and

receiving payment authorization information associated with the credit account from the payment authorization database before the communication session is established.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the credit account information communicated to the payment authorization database includes a predetermined amount that is to be charged to the credit account.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the payment authorization information received from the payment authorization database includes an authorization for charging a predetermined amount to the credit account.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

reversing the authorization for charging the credit account the predetermined amount after the communication session; and

charging a different amount representing the actual charge for the communication session.

9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of issuing a credit representing an amount that is the predetermined amount minus an amount representing actual the charge for the communication session, after the communication session.

10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the payment authorization database is local to the value-added service.

11. The method according to claim 5, wherein the payment authorization database is located at a site remote from the value-added service.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of presenting the user with method-of-payment information selectable by the user.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of receiving method-of-payment information from the user includes a step of receiving method-of-payment information selected by the user in response to the step of presenting the user with method-of-payment information selectable by the user.

14. The method according to claim 5, wherein the credit account is a utility service account or an Internet service provider account.

15. The method according to claim 5, further including a step of verifying at least a portion of one of information relating to at least a portion of one of an expiration date of a credit card, a billing address of the user, a date of birth of the user, a driver'"'"'s license number of the user, a social security number of the user, a password of the user, a personal identification number (PIN) of the user, a digital certificate of the user, a maiden name of the user'"'"'s mother, a telephone number of the user, a cable television account number of the user, a utility service account number of the user, an Internet Service Provider account of the user, and electronic wallet information associated with the user.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method-of-payment information identifies an Internet service provider account.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method-of-payment information is received as packetized data.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the step of performing fraud control is further based on

computer-network address information for the user, and

wherein the step of performing includes steps of:

receiving computer-network address information associated with the user from the computer network;

receiving the computer-network address information for the user from the user; and

comparing the computer-network address information received from the computer network to the computer-network address information received from the user.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the step of performing fraud control is further based on information supplied by and associated with the user,

the step of determining further comprising steps of:

accessing a database; and

comparing the information associated with the user with information stored in the database.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of comparing the information associated with the user with information stored in the database verifies information relating to at least a portion of at least one of an identity of the user, a checking account number associated with the user, a credit card number associated with the user, a debit card number associated with the user, a zip code of the user, an expiration date of a credit card, a billing address of the user, a date of birth of the user, a driver'"'"'s license number of the user, a social security number of the user, a password of the user, a personal identification number (PIN) of the user, a digital certificate of the user, a maiden name of the user'"'"'s mother, a telephone number of the user, a cable television account number of the user, a utility service account number of the user, an Internet Service Provider account of the user, a fingerprint of the user, a thumbprint of the user, a voiceprint of the user, a portrait image of the user, and electronic wallet information of the user.

21. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of limiting the communication session based on a frequency of sessions by the user during a predetermined period of time.

22. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of limiting the session based on an amount of money spent by the user during a predetermined period of time.

23. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of blocking the session based on an amount of money spent by the user during a predetermined period of time.

24. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of limiting the session based on a time of day.

25. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of limiting the communication session based on a length of communication sessions during a predetermined period of time before receiving the user request.

26. The method according to claim 19, wherein the information associated with the user includes a computer-network address for the user,

the method further comprising a step of limiting the session based on a comparison of the computer-network address for the user with information stored in the database.

27. The method according to claim 19, wherein the information associated with the user includes a geographical location for the user,

the method further comprising a step of blocking the session based on a comparison of the geographical location for the user with information stored in the database.

28. The method according to claim 19, wherein the information associated with the user includes a geographical location for the user,

the method further comprising a step of limiting the session based on a comparison of the geographical location for the user with information stored in the database.

29. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method of payment information is received from a cookie associated with the user.

30. The method according to claim 19, the information associated with the user includes a billing address,

the method further comprising a step of blocking the session when the information associated with the user does not pass fraud control based on a user billing address.

31. The method according to claim 19, the information associated with the user includes a billing address,

the method further comprising a step of limiting the session when the information associated with the user does not pass fraud control based on a user billing address.

32. The method according to claim 19, wherein the information associated with the user includes at least a portion of at least one of a driver'"'"'s license number, a social security number, a mother'"'"'s maiden name, a password, a digital certificate and a personal identification number (PIN), a cookie associated with the user, a fingerprint of the user, a thumbprint of the user, a voice print of the user, and a portrait of the user.

33. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of limiting the session when the information associated with the user does not pass fraud control.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the personal information of the user includes at least a portion of at least one of a driver'"'"'s license number, a social security number, a mother'"'"'s maiden name, a password, a digital certificate and a personal identification number (PIN), a cookie associated with the user, a fingerprint of the user, a thumbprint of the user, a voice print of the user and a portrait of the user.

35. The method according to claim 19, wherein the database is a shared database.

36. The method according to claim 19, wherein the database is located locally.

37. The method according to claim 19, wherein the database is located at a remote site.

38. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication session includes packetized data communicated between the user and the service representative.

39. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication session is a multimedia session.

40. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication session includes at least two service representatives.

41. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication session includes a chatroom environment.

42. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication session includes a talk line.

43. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication session includes a pay information service.

44. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of sending to the user information that is related to the user when a selected service representative is unavailable before the step of establishing.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the information that is related to the user is one of a horoscope and an astrological chart.

46. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication session includes a psychic service representative.

50. The method of claim 4, wherein the per minute rate is supplied by said value-added service representative in said service representative log-in request.

47. A system for controlling communication session access to a value-added service over a computer network, comprising:

one or more memories storing a negative database containing a plurality of Internet addresses known to be associated with negative payment histories, availability and preference information regarding a plurality of available value-added service consultants, and billing rate information for each consultant;

a controller, communicatively coupled to said memory, and configured to perform the following steps;

receive a request from a user to initiate a human voice communication session with one or more value-added service consultants, said value-added service offering a plurality of time-based services for sale, where said request is sent via a web page, and includes an identification of the type of human voice communication session desired by the user;

receive method-of-payment information from the user for the communication session, said method-of-payment information identifying a manner in which said user intends to pay for the time spent in said human voice communication;

compare said method-of-payment information with contents of said negative database; and

determine whether to establish the requested session based on the comparison.

51. The system of claim 47, wherein said identification of the type of human voice communication session desired by the user identifies a psychic consultation.

52. The system of claim 47, wherein said identification of the type of human voice communication session desired by the user identifies whether the session is to be an audio only or multimedia session.

53. The system of claim 47, wherein said plurality of Internet addresses known to be associated with negative payment histories, availability and preference information regarding a plurality of available value-added service consultants, and billing rate information for each consultant are stored on the same memory.

54. The system of claim 47, wherein said billing rate of said consultant is different from a billing rate charged to said user for said session.

55. The system of claim 47, wherein said communication session is conducted over the Internet.

56. The system of claim 47, wherein said controller is configured to receive:

a first plurality of consultant log-in requests from a plurality of consultants who wish to indicate their availability; and

a second plurality of customer log-in requests from a plurality of customers who wish to obtain consultation from one or more of said consultants.

48. A communication service method, comprising the steps of:

receiving a first internet log-in request from a consultant, said first internet log-in request indicating the consultant'"'"'s availability for engaging in value-added service consultations, and at least one consultation preference of the consultant;

maintaining a table of available value-added service consultants in one or more memories, said table identifying consultant availability and consultation preferences;

receiving a second internet log-in request from a user, said second internet log-in request identifying said user, requesting a consultation communication session, and indicating the user'"'"'s preference for a consultation type;

receiving method of payment information for time spent on said requested consultation by said user;

comparing said method of payment information with a negative database relating to payment history; and

using results of said step of comparing to determine whether to initiate the requested consultation communication session, and when said consultation is to be initiated, establishing a consultation in accordance with said user'"'"'s preference and said at least one consultation preference.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising the steps of automatically receiving internet address information of a computer used to initiate said internet log-in request of said user, and using said internet address information in said step of comparing said method of payment information with said negative database.

57. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of maintaining one or more billing preferences for each of said consultants.

58. The method of claim 48, wherein said method of payment information is included in said Internet log-in request from said user.

59. The method of claim 48, further including the step of issuing a temporary restriction on said user when said comparison determines that said consultation is not to be initiated.

60. The method of claim 48, wherein said internet log-in request from said user is submitted using a web page.

61. The method of claim 60, further including the step of offering multiple web pages for said user'"'"'s selection, each web page corresponding to a different type of consultation.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising the step of updating said table to indicate a busy status for a consultant when said consultant is engaged in providing consultation to said user.