System and method for providing interoperable and on-demand telecommunications service

• US 7,406,307 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Issued: 07/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Freetech, LLC
• Original Assignee: Freetech, LLC
• Inventors: Manto, Charles L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Duc
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAI, WAYNE HUU
• Application Number:
  US10/934,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20050084081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 37911423-11425, 379/121, 379/144, 379/121.2, 455/406
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/09 Third party charged communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/57 for integrated multimedia messaging subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 Available credit
• 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 17/201 automatic recharging with predetermined amount at threshold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/22 with automatic recharging of account/card, e.g. if limit is reached during connection the account is recharged automatically
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/26 with real-time recharging of account/card, e.g. if limit is reached during connection user is asked if he wants to recharge or not
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0192 Sponsored, subsidised calls via advertising, e.g. calling cards with ads or connecting to special ads, free calling time by purchasing goods
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/208 IMS, i.e. Integrated Multimedia messaging Subsystem
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/66 Third party billing, i.e. third party can also be the predetermined telephone line of the caller if he is calling from another telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/82 Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation

Abstract

The present invention relates in general to the field of voice and data communications, and in particular, to a novel system for providing interoperable on-demand communications and services across otherwise incompatible narrowband voice and broadband systems. The system is also based on sponsored or universal communications services supported by interactive communications between sponsors and service providers and their respective databases of business rules.

Claims

1. A method of operating a telecommunications device comprising the steps of:

detecting an incoming call or data message from a calling party to a called party;

using a called number or identifier to determine whether said called party is a universal service user for whom service is provided at no charge or substantially no charge;

generating and sending a message to said calling party offering participation as a sponsor party for the current and subsequent calls for said universal service user; and

using codes and speed dial numbers for allowing calling party access only to said called party allowed by the sponsor party to be contacted and only using said service provided to said universal service user by the sponsor party.