Prepaid charging interface enhancements enabling prepaid messaging buckets
First Claim
1. A method of prepaid handling of a messaging service message for communication through a wireless network comprising steps of:
- receiving the messaging service message for communication through the wireless network, from a mobile station of a subscriber having prepaid wireless service, at a messaging service center in the wireless network;
in response to receiving the messaging service message, sending, from the messaging service center to a prepaid server, a prepaid transaction request signaling message, wherein the prepaid transaction request signaling message includes a connected address list comprising an address for each of one or more communications devices to which the messaging service message is to be sent other than the mobile station of the subscriber;
receiving, in response to the prepaid transaction request signaling message, a prepaid transaction response signaling message at the messaging service center from the prepaid server; and
controlling processing of the messaging service message through the wireless network to the one or more communication devices based on data contained in the received signaling response message.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The signaling interface between a wireless network message center and a prepaid control platform is enhanced by the addition of one or more parameters useful in supporting special accounting treatments for user message communications through a wireless network, for example, include a ConnectedAddressList, an ExceptionIndicator and/or a PolicyOverrideIndicator. The ConnectedAddressList and PolicyOverrideIndicator can be used to allow a prepaid wireless service provider to offer a wide variety of free or specially priced messaging buckets to its subscribers (or to a select group of its subscribers). User messages may be delivered for free, for example, if they are going to or coming from other customers of the service provider. The ExceptionIndicator can be used to block application of such buckets, e.g. to enable premium pricing, for international delivery or the like.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of prepaid handling of a messaging service message for communication through a wireless network comprising steps of:
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receiving the messaging service message for communication through the wireless network, from a mobile station of a subscriber having prepaid wireless service, at a messaging service center in the wireless network; in response to receiving the messaging service message, sending, from the messaging service center to a prepaid server, a prepaid transaction request signaling message, wherein the prepaid transaction request signaling message includes a connected address list comprising an address for each of one or more communications devices to which the messaging service message is to be sent other than the mobile station of the subscriber; receiving, in response to the prepaid transaction request signaling message, a prepaid transaction response signaling message at the messaging service center from the prepaid server; and controlling processing of the messaging service message through the wireless network to the one or more communication devices based on data contained in the received signaling response message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A messaging service center, comprising:
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a communication interface configured to enable communication via a mobile network; a processor coupled with the communication interface; a storage device accessible to the processor; and an executable program in the storage device, wherein execution of the program by the processor configures the messaging service center to perform functions, including functions to; receive a messaging service message for communication through the wireless network, from a mobile station of a subscriber having prepaid wireless service, at the messaging service center in the wireless network; send, from the messaging service center to a prepaid server, a prepaid transaction request signaling message, wherein the prepaid transaction request signaling message includes a connected address list comprising an address for each of one or more communications devices to which the messaging service message is to be sent, other than the mobile station of the subscriber; receive a prepaid transaction response signaling message at the messaging service center from the prepaid server; and control further processing of the messaging service message through the wireless network to the one or more communication devices based on data contained in the received signaling response message. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of prepaid accounting for handling of a messaging service message for communication through a wireless network comprising steps of:
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receiving a prepaid transaction request signaling message, at a prepaid server from a messaging service center of the wireless network, regarding a requested communication of the messaging service message through the wireless network from a mobile station of a subscriber having prepaid wireless service, the prepaid transaction request signaling message including a connected address list comprising an address for each of one or more communications devices to which the messaging service message is to be sent, other than the mobile station of the subscriber; executing a prepaid accounting transaction with regard to an account of the subscriber, in response to the received prepaid transaction request signaling message; and sending a prepaid transaction response signaling message from the prepaid server to the messaging service center, the prepaid transaction response signaling message reporting a result of the executed prepaid accounting transaction with regard to the account of the subscriber, the result enabling control of processing of the messaging service message through the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification