Method for automatic wireless replenishment using DTMF

• US 7,313,382 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2002
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Wang, Mingheng
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehrpour, Naghmeh
• Application Number:
  US10/059,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20030143976A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,156 Days
• Field of Search: 455/407, 455/406, 455/575.9, 455/405, 455/410, 455/408, 455/411, 340/426.2, 340/5.4, 340/5.41, 340/5.42, 705/38, 705/44, 379/114.03, 379/114.1, 379/114.15, 379/114.16, 379/114.17, 379/114.19, 379/114.2, 713/200
• US Class Current: 455/405
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• 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 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 17/10 Account details or usage
• 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 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

The invention provides a method for replenishing call-use authorization to a mobile vehicle. A call-use authorization request is received from a user. User credit availability information is determined. A replenishment amount request is received from the user. Call-use authorization data is updated based on the credit availability information and the replenishment amount request. The updated call-use authorization data is sent to an in-vehicle communication device by using a dual-tone multiple frequency protocol.

Claims

1. A method for replenishing call-use authorization to a mobile vehicle, comprising:

receiving a call-use authorization request from a user;

determining user credit availability information;

receiving a replenishment amount request from the user;

selecting a unit operation mode from a plurality of unit operation modes, the selected unit operation mode corresponding to the replenishment amount request;

updating call-use authorization data based on the credit availability information and the replenishment amount request; and

sending the updated call-use authorization data to an in-vehicle communication device by using a dual-tone multiple frequency protocol.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a user account number and a personalized identification number; and

authenticating the user.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the call-use authorization request is received by using an interactive voice response application.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the call-use authorization request is received by using a dual-tone multiple frequency protocol.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the replenishment amount request is received by using an interactive voice response application.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the replenishment amount request is received by using a dual-tone multiple frequency protocol.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the updated call-use authorization data comprises the selected unit operation mode, a bundle of units, and an expiration date associated with the bundle of units.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of unit operation modes includes a unit add mode, a unit clear mode, and a unit subtract mode.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing the updated call-use authorization data in the in-vehicle communication device.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected unit operation mode is a unit clear mode used to reset a number of authorized call minutes in the mobile vehicle to zero.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected unit operation mode is a unit subtract mode used to correct or transfer call units.

9. A method for replenishing call-use authorization to a mobile vehicle, comprising:

receiving a call-use authorization request from a user;

determining user credit availability information;

receiving a replenishment amount request from the user;

updating call-use authorization data based on the credit availability information and the replenishment amount request; and

sending the updated call-use authorization data to an in-vehicle communication device by using a dual-tone multiple frequency protocol;

wherein the updated call-use authorization data is sent to an in-vehicle communication device when the vehicle is in a sleeping mode.

11. A computer usable medium including a program for replenishing call-use authorization to a mobile vehicle comprising:

computer program code to receive a call authorization request from a user;

computer program code to determine user credit availability information;

computer program code to receive a replenishment amount request from the user;

computer program code to select a unit operation mode from a plurality of unit operation modes, the selected unit operation mode corresponding to the replenishment amount request;

computer program code to update call-use authorization data based on the credit availability information and the replenishment amount request; and

computer program code to send the updated call-use authorization data to an in-vehicle communication device by a dual-tone multiple frequency protocol.

12. The computer usable medium of claim 11 further comprising:

computer program code to receive a user account number and a personalized identification number; and

computer program code to authenticate the user.

13. The computer usable medium of claim 11 wherein the call-use authorization request is received by using a dual-tone multiple frequency protocol.

14. The computer usable medium of claim 11 wherein the replenishment amount request is received by using a dual-tone multiple frequency protocol.

15. The computer usable medium of claim 11 wherein the updated call-use authorization data comprises the selected unit operation mode, a bundle of units, and an expiration date associated with the bundle of units.

17. The computer usable medium of claim 11 further comprising:

computer program code to store the updated call-use authorization data in the in-vehicle communication device.

16. A computer usable medium including a program for replenishing call-use authorization to a mobile vehicle comprising:

computer program code to receive a call authorization request from a user;

computer program code to determine user credit availability information;

computer program code to receive a replenishment amount request from the user;

computer program code to update call-use authorization data based on the credit availability information and the replenishment amount request; and

computer program code to send the updated call-use authorization data to an in-vehicle communication device by a dual-tone multiple frequency protocol;

wherein the updated call-use authorization data is sent to an in-vehicle communication device when the vehicle is in a sleeping mode.

18. A system for replenishing call-use authorization to a mobile vehicle, comprising:

means for receiving a call authorization request from a user;

means for determining user credit availability information;

means for receiving a replenishment amount request from the user;

means for selecting a unit operation mode from a plurality of unit operation modes, the selected unit operation mode corresponding to the replenishment amount request;

means for updating call-use authorization data based on the credit availability information and the replenishment amount request; and

means for sending the updated call-use authorization data to an in-vehicle communication device by a dual-tone multiple frequency protocol.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

means for receiving a user account number and a personalized identification number; and

means for authenticating the user.

20. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

means for storing the updated call-use authorization data in the in-vehicle communication device.

23. The system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of unit operation modes include a unit add mode, a unit clear mode and a unit subtract mode.