Selective pre-authorized credit for incoming calls
First Claim
1. A method of selectively issuing pre-authorized credit from a user to an incoming call, said method comprising:
- identifying one or more source identifications (IDs) for receiving pre-authorized credit for the incoming call, said incoming call being a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) call;
specifying one or more destinations to receive the incoming call;
defining a rule associated with the one or more destinations and the one or more source IDs;
receiving the incoming call directed to one of the destinations from a caller;
evaluating the incoming call and the caller as a function of the one of the destinations, one or more identified source IDs and the defined rule;
notifying the caller if evaluating indicates that the incoming call does not satisfy the defined rule to receive the issued pre-authorized credit for the incoming call;
issuing the pre-authorized credit for the incoming call from the caller if the evaluating indicates that the incoming call to the destination satisfies the defined rule; and
routing the incoming call from the caller to the user, wherein the caller establishes a connection with the user without being charged for the incoming call.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Establishing a connection from a caller to a user using a pre-authorized credit from the user is described. A processor identifies one or more source identifications (IDs) for receiving pre-authorized credit for the incoming call. One or more destinations are specified to receive the incoming call. The processor defines a rule associated with the one or more destinations and the one or more source IDs. An interface receives the incoming call directed to one of the destinations from the caller. A storage area stores the defined rule. The incoming call and the caller are determined as a function of the one of the destinations, one or more identified source IDs and the defined rule. The pre-authorized credit is issued for the incoming call from the caller if it is determined that the incoming call to the destination satisfies the defined rule. The processor routes the incoming call to the user.
25 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of selectively issuing pre-authorized credit from a user to an incoming call, said method comprising:
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identifying one or more source identifications (IDs) for receiving pre-authorized credit for the incoming call, said incoming call being a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) call; specifying one or more destinations to receive the incoming call; defining a rule associated with the one or more destinations and the one or more source IDs; receiving the incoming call directed to one of the destinations from a caller; evaluating the incoming call and the caller as a function of the one of the destinations, one or more identified source IDs and the defined rule; notifying the caller if evaluating indicates that the incoming call does not satisfy the defined rule to receive the issued pre-authorized credit for the incoming call; issuing the pre-authorized credit for the incoming call from the caller if the evaluating indicates that the incoming call to the destination satisfies the defined rule; and routing the incoming call from the caller to the user, wherein the caller establishes a connection with the user without being charged for the incoming call. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of selectively issuing pre-authorized credit from a user to an incoming call, said method comprising:
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identifying one or more source identifications (IDs) for receiving pre-authorized credit for the incoming call, said one or more source IDs including at least one of the following;
a telephone caller ID, a telephone number, an electronic mail (e-mail) address, an online identification, and an authentication credential identifying a caller;specifying one or more destinations to receive the incoming call; defining a rule associated with the one or more destinations and the one or more source IDs; receiving the incoming call directed to one of the destinations from a caller; evaluating the incoming call and the caller as a function of the one of the destinations, one or more identified source IDs and the defined rule; providing a suggestion to re-direct the incoming call to another destination in the one or more destinations if the evaluating indicates the incoming call does not satisfy the defined rule; issuing the pre-authorized credit for the incoming call from the caller if the evaluating indicates that the incoming call to the destination satisfies the defined rule; and routing the incoming call from the caller to the user, without the user being charged for the incoming call. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for establishing a connection from a caller to a user using a pre-authorized credit from the user, said system comprising:
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a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions for; identifying one or more source identifications (IDs) for receiving pre-authorized credit for the incoming call; specifying one or more destinations to receive the incoming call; defining a rule associated with the one or more destinations and the one or more source IDs; an interface for receiving the incoming call directed to one of the destinations from a caller; a storage area for storing the defined rule; wherein the processor is configured to; identifying a source ID from the incoming call; evaluate the incoming call and the caller as a function of the one of the destinations, one or more identified source IDs and the defined rule; execute a plurality of rules; notify the caller if evaluating indicates that the incoming call does not satisfy the defined rule to receive the issued pre-authorized credit for the incoming call; issue the pre-authorized credit for the incoming call from the caller if it is determined that the incoming call to the destination satisfies the defined rule; and route the incoming call from the caller to the user, wherein the caller establishes a connection with the user without being charged for the incoming call. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification