Prepaid telephone calling card with distinct PIN numbers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for use with a telephone calling card, the card bearing a telephone access number, the card bearing a first PIN number obscured by an opaque scratch-off material, the card bearing a second PIN number obscured by an opaque scratch-off material, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a first telephone call from a first caller at the telephone access number;
via the first telephone call, receiving the first PIN number and connecting at least one long-distance telephone call for the first caller;
receiving a second telephone call from a second caller at the telephone access number;
via the second telephone call, receiving the second PIN number and connecting at least one long-distance telephone call for the second caller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A prepaid long-distance telephone calling card has two or more distinct PIN numbers each obscured by opaque scratch-off material. Each PIN number is associated with prepaid value. A user can scratch off the opaque material for PIN numbers one by one, and the value for each PIN number expires in a way that is unrelated to any other PIN number on the card.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for use with a telephone calling card, the card bearing a telephone access number, the card bearing a first PIN number obscured by an opaque scratch-off material, the card bearing a second PIN number obscured by an opaque scratch-off material, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first telephone call from a first caller at the telephone access number; via the first telephone call, receiving the first PIN number and connecting at least one long-distance telephone call for the first caller; receiving a second telephone call from a second caller at the telephone access number; via the second telephone call, receiving the second PIN number and connecting at least one long-distance telephone call for the second caller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for use with a telephone calling card, the card bearing a telephone access number, the card bearing a first PIN number obscured by an opaque scratch-off material, the card bearing a second PIN number obscured by an opaque scratch-off material, the method comprising the steps of:
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scratching off the opaque scratch-off material obscuring the first PIN number; using the first PIN number with the telephone access number to make a first at least one long-distance telephone call; scratching off the opaque scratch-off material obscuring the second PIN number; and using the second PIN number with the telephone access number to make a second at least one long-distance telephone call. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. Apparatus comprising:
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a card; the card bearing a telephone access number; the card bearing a first PIN number obscured by an opaque scratch-off material; the card bearing a second PIN number obscured by an opaque scratch-off material; the card bearing a third PIN number obscured by an opaque scratch-off material; the card bearing a fourth PIN number obscured by an opaque scratch-off material; the card bearing a fifth PIN number obscured by a scratch-off material; each PIN number associated with a respective prepaid amount of long-distance telephone service.
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14. A method for use with a telephone calling card, the card bearing a telephone access number, the card bearing a first PIN number, the card bearing a second PIN number, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first telephone call from a first caller at the telephone access number; via the first telephone call, receiving the first PIN number and connecting at least one long-distance telephone call for the first caller; receiving a second telephone call from a second caller at the telephone access number; via the second telephone call, receiving the second PIN number and connecting at least one long-distance telephone call for the second caller. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for use with a telephone calling card, the card bearing a telephone access number, the card bearing a first PIN number, the card bearing a second PIN number, the method comprising the steps of:
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using the first PIN number with the telephone access number to make a first at least one long-distance telephone call; using the second PIN number with the telephone access number to make a second at least one long-distance telephone call. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for use by a card maker, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving from a long-distance telephone service provider groups of PIN numbers, each group to be associated with a respective calling card and each PIN number associated with a respective amount of prepaid long-distance telephone service; printing calling cards; for each calling card, printing on the calling card PIN numbers from a group; for each calling card, applying a an opaque scratch-off material to obscure the PIN numbers; and distributing the calling cards to users.
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27. A method for use by a long-distance telephone service provider, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing to a card maker groups of PIN numbers, each group to be associated with a respective calling card and each PIN number associated with a respective amount of prepaid long-distance telephone service; and providing long-distance telephone service to users of the PIN numbers.
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Specification