Systems and methods for monitoring “pay-as-you-go” telecommunication services
First Claim
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1. A system for displaying ad hoc accounting data for each instance of use of a plurality of telecommunication services, the system comprising:
- a server, accessible via a telecommunication network, wherein the server performs a method comprising;
providing a plurality of telecommunication services comprising at least two services, a limited use service, wherein a user pays as the telecommunication services are used, and an unlimited use service;
monitoring a user'"'"'s usage, during each instance of use of the limited use service at regular time intervals;
comparing data from the monitored user'"'"'s usage, to a threshold of use;
communicating ad hoc accounting data from results of the comparison to the user in a plurality of electronic formats over a telecommunication network;
preventing the user'"'"'s usage of the limited use service prior to the user accumulating a balance due whereby such prevention does not include preventing the use of the unlimited use service; and
providing an interactive system in response to the user'"'"'s attempt to use the limited use service, the interactive system operable during each instance of use, to enable the user to make payment for additional use of the limited use service.
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Abstract
Telecommunication services systems and methods are disclosed. The telecommunication services systems and methods preferably enable the user and/or the responsible party to make payments as the user uses the telecommunication services. The systems and methods may also be employed to provide the user and/or the responsible party with specialized pricing options and other customized services.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for displaying ad hoc accounting data for each instance of use of a plurality of telecommunication services, the system comprising:
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a server, accessible via a telecommunication network, wherein the server performs a method comprising; providing a plurality of telecommunication services comprising at least two services, a limited use service, wherein a user pays as the telecommunication services are used, and an unlimited use service; monitoring a user'"'"'s usage, during each instance of use of the limited use service at regular time intervals; comparing data from the monitored user'"'"'s usage, to a threshold of use; communicating ad hoc accounting data from results of the comparison to the user in a plurality of electronic formats over a telecommunication network; preventing the user'"'"'s usage of the limited use service prior to the user accumulating a balance due whereby such prevention does not include preventing the use of the unlimited use service; and providing an interactive system in response to the user'"'"'s attempt to use the limited use service, the interactive system operable during each instance of use, to enable the user to make payment for additional use of the limited use service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12)
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7. A system for providing ad hoc accounting data for each instance of use of a plurality of telecommunication services, the system comprising:
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a server accessible via a telecommunication network, wherein the server performs a method comprising; providing a plurality of telecommunication services comprising at least two services, a limited use service, wherein a user pays as the telecommunication services are used, and an unlimited use service; monitoring a user'"'"'s usage, during each instance of use of the limited use service, at regular time intervals; comparing data received from the monitored user'"'"'s usage to one or more notification events, the notification events being associated with the origin or destination of communications initiated using the limited use service; and initiating communication of the monitored user'"'"'s usage data to a predetermined location in response to the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification