Method and apparatus for selecting the most cost-efficient payment provider to pay for communication services
First Claim
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1. A method of selecting a payment provider to pay for communication services, the method comprising:
- receiving, from a calling electronic device, payment provider data that identifies a plurality of alternative payment providers;
receiving, from the calling electronic device, a request for establishing a communications link between the calling electronic device and a called electronic device;
contacting a first one of the alternative payment providers to request acceptance of a payment request associated with the communications link; and
contacting a second one of the alternative payment providers upon refusal of the first alternative payment provider to accept responsibility for the payment request, without need for further interfacing with a user of the calling electronic device.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for selecting the most cost-efficient payment provider to pay for communication services. A calling electronic device communicates alternative payment provider data to a network via a communications link. The network examines costs charged by a plurality of alternative payment providers indicated by the alternative payment provider data. The network determines and contacts the most cost-efficient payment provider to determine if the contacted payment provider will accept responsibility for paying for at least a portion of the communication services.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method of selecting a payment provider to pay for communication services, the method comprising:
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receiving, from a calling electronic device, payment provider data that identifies a plurality of alternative payment providers; receiving, from the calling electronic device, a request for establishing a communications link between the calling electronic device and a called electronic device; contacting a first one of the alternative payment providers to request acceptance of a payment request associated with the communications link; and contacting a second one of the alternative payment providers upon refusal of the first alternative payment provider to accept responsibility for the payment request, without need for further interfacing with a user of the calling electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A network comprising:
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a receiver configured to receive, from a calling electronic device, payment provider data that identifies a plurality of alternative payment providers, the receiver being further configured to receive, from the calling electronic device, a request for establishing a communications link between the calling electronic device and a called electronic device; and a transmitter configured to contact a first one of the alternative payment providers to request acceptance of a payment request associated with the communications link, and contact a second one of the alternative payment providers upon refusal of the first alternative payment provider to accept responsibility for the payment request, without need for further interfacing with a user of the calling electronic device.
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Specification