Enhanced communication platform and related communication method using the platform

• US 9,432,377 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2014
• Issued: 08/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Inventors: Mambakkam, Ramkumar Katchapeswaran, Joyce, Simon James, Gupta, Prafulla C., Vaidya, Manohar Sitaram, Alla, Rajesh, Eanuga, Ashok Kumar Reddy, Ayalasomayajula, Sreeramamurty, Gupta, Richa, Kaushal, Alok, Jampana, Varma Laxmi Jagannadha Siva Kumara, Undavalli, Prasad Naganianeya Vara, Nallajerla, Kondal Rao, Bonagiri, Sivaramayya, Sistla, Krishna Mohan, Gudipati, Amba Prasad, Ray, Biswajit Sundar, Govindacharyula, Raghuram, Janakirama, Penumatsa, Kalluri, Veerabhadra Rao, Sathi, Ravi Devi Venkata, Velpuri, Surya Sekhar Lakshmi, Nallagonda, Bhanu Murthy
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Quoc D
• Application Number:
  US14/581,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20150113609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 379/114.01, 379/114.03, 379/114.05, 37911415-11417, 379/114.2, 379/144.08, 455405-408
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3821 Electronic credentials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4016 involving fraud or risk level assessment in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/403 Solvency checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/409 Device specific authentication in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1025 Identification of user by a PIN code
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/122 Online card verification
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8038 Roaming or handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 : involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 : Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/85 : characterised by the type of condition triggering a notification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 : Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/02 : Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/10 : Account details or usage
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 : Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/34 : Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 : Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 : Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 : Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 : Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 : Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 : Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13134 : Coin boxes, payphone, prepaid
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1315 : Call waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13152 : Callback
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 : Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13274 : Call rejection, call barring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13331 : Abbreviated dialling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1334 : Configuration within the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 : Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13372 : Intercepting operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/108 : Source integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 : Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing

Abstract

Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the users authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Claims

1. At least one non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions performed by at least one computer to perform a method of providing from a platform pre-authorized communication services and transactions using a communication network, including at least networks of different types which are external to the platform, user devices communicating with the platform via the communication network, the method comprising:

accepting and processing, by the platform, a request from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction or user account information via one of the external networks;

verifying at the platform that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, or the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service or the transaction; and

charging, on a real-time basis, transactions at the platform, an authorized account associated with the user, while the platform controls an element of a corresponding one of the external networks to provide at least one of the communication service or the transaction as provided by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

2. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises processing real-time settlement data for the at least one of the communication service or a commercial transaction.

3. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the verifying further comprises authenticating the user using at least one of a security code, a password, user intervention, a PIN number, automatic call back or interactive voice response.

4. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises verifying at the platform that the user is within a specified area, country or that the at least one of the communication service or the transaction requested is within a user feature restriction level.

5. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the charging includes at least one of decreasing an account balance of a pre-authorized account or increasing a balance of a charge account.

6. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises recording information, at the platform, about the at least one communication service or the transaction, including at least one of location of the authorized user, an amount charged, a date, a time or a type of transaction.

7. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1,

wherein the communication network includes at least one of a wireless communication network, a publicly switched telephone network, a landline communication network and a SS-7 signaling network, and

wherein the external networks of different types connected to the platform include a global or wide area computer network, the internet, a TCP/IP LAN, an IP signaling network and a router network.

8. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing services from the platform on at least one of the communication network and the external networks selectable between user account management functions, payment administration functions, rate plan functions, and security functions.

9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

disconnecting, by the platform, the user from at least one of the external networks of different types after the at least one of the communication service or the transaction is provided; and

re-establishing a connection with the disconnected user by the platform via the communication network and advising the disconnected user of a balance remaining in the account associated with the disconnected user.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

determining, by the platform, while providing the one of the communication service and the transaction that the user no longer has a sufficient amount in the account associated with the user; and

if it is determined that there is no longer the sufficient amount, accepting an account number across the at least one of the external networks of different types and adding value to the account associated with the user from the accepted account number.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions performed by at least one computer to provide a method of providing pre-authorized communication services and transactions using a communication network, including at least one switch, and external networks of different types and which are external to a platform, user devices communicating with the platform via the communication network, the method comprising:

accepting, at the platform, a request from a user via a corresponding one of the external networks, the request requesting at least one of a communication service or a transaction;

verifying, by the platform, that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service or the transaction, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient value available for payment; and

charging in real time at the platform outside of the external networks, using rating engines that dynamically calculate charges, an account associated with the user while the platform controls an element of a corresponding one of the external networks from the platform to provide by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers the at least one of the communication service or the transaction and authorizing the transaction if the accepting and verifying is successful.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the verifying includes authenticating the user using at least one of a security code, a password, user intervention, a PIN number, automatic call back or interactive voice response.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises verifying, by the platform, that the user is within a specified area, country or that the at least one of the communication service or the transaction requested is within a user feature restriction level.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the charging includes at least one of decreasing an account balance of a pre-authorized account or increasing a balance of a charge account.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises recording, at the platform, information about the at least one communication service or the transaction, including at least one of location of the authorized user, an amount charged, a date, a time or a type of transaction.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11,

wherein the communication network includes at least one of a wireless communication network, a publicly switched communication network, a landline communication network and a SS-7 signaling network, and

wherein the external networks of different types controllable by the platform include a global or wide area computer network, the internet, a TCP/IP LAN, an IP signaling network and a router network.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises providing services of at least one of user account management functions, payment administration functions, rate plan functions, or security functions.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises processing real-time settlement data for the at least one of the communication service or commercial transaction.

19. A user communication device communicating with a platform outside of and connected to a communication network, including at least one switch, and external networks of different types, comprising:

an input unit that receives a request from a user identifying at least one of a communication service, a transaction or user account information; and

a transmitter that transmits the request to the platform via one of the external networks or the communication network for verification that the user is authorized to receive the identified at least one of the communication service, the transaction or the user account information via one of the external networks, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently

available for payment of the identified at least one of the communication service or the transaction, and for control of an element of one of the external networks from the platform such that at least one of different service and transaction providers at least one of authorizes the identified transaction or provides at least one of the identified communication service or the identified user account information, while the authorized account associated with the user is charged by the platform in real time in response to verification of the request.

20. The user communication device of claim 19, wherein the transmitter further reads an access code and a link between the account and the request, and transmits the read access code and the link to the platform to perform verification.

21. The user communication device of claim 19, wherein the transmitter further reads information from a chip needed by the platform to perform verification, and transmits the read information to the platform.

22. The user communication device of claim 19, wherein the transmitter further comprising a receiver that receives the at least one of a communication service or the transaction to be provided using the user communication device from the at least one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

23. The user communication device of claim 19, wherein the user communication device comprises a mobile communication.

24. The user communication device of claim 19, wherein the user communication device comprises a computer.

25. A method of crediting a pre-authorized account of a user, comprising:

sending a notification to the user at a transceiver that the pre-authorized account needs additional credit;

receiving a response message from the user sent from the transceiver and including a number associated with the user;

sending a request from a first platform to a second platform, connected together and to external networks of different types, to obtain the additional credit from another account associated with the user and maintained by the second platform; and

receiving the additional credit obtained from a transaction debiting the other account and adding the additional credit to the pre-authorized account maintained by another platform different than and connected to the second platform via one of the external networks of different types, to supply funds used to pay for at least one communication service or transaction, provided or consummated respectively via at least one of the networks of different types which are connected to the first and second platforms.

26. The method according to claim 25,

further comprising authenticating at the first platform that the user is associated with the pre-authorized account, and

wherein said sending of the request from the first platform to the second platform occurs if it is authenticated that the user is associated with the pre-authorized account.

27. The method according to claim 25,

further comprising establishing at the first platform an identification number associated with the user, and

wherein said authenticating of the user is based on the identification number.

28. The method according to claim 25, further comprising establishing at the first platform an identification number associated with the user, and wherein said authenticating of the user is based on the identification number.