Enhanced communication platform and related communication method using the platform

• US 20020106065A1
• Filed: 04/03/2002
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Alok Kaushal, Ashok K. Reddy, Bhanumurthy Nallagonda, Biswajit Sundar Ray, G., Amba Prasad, Janaki Rama Raju, J.S. J.L.K. Verma, Kondal Rao Nallajerla, Krishna Mohan Sistla, K. Veerabhadra Rao, Manohar S. Vaidya, M. K., Ram Kumar, Prafulla C. Gupta, Prasad Undavalli, Raghuram Govind, Rajesh Alla, Richa Gupta, S. D. V. Ravi, Simon James Joyce, Sivaramayya Bonajiri, Sree Ram Murthy Ayyala, Surya Sekhar Velpuri
• Inventors: M. K., Ram Kumar, Verma, J.S. J.L.K., Gupta, Richa, Undavalli, Prasad, Nallagonda, Bhanumurthy, Bonajiri, Sivaramayya, Alla, Rajesh, Ravi, S. D. V., Joyce, Simon James, Kaushal, Alok, Govind, Raghuram, Raju, Janaki Rama, Ray, Biswajit Sundar, Gupta, Prafulla C., Reddy, Ashok K., Rao, K. Veerabhadra, Nallajerla, Kondal Rao, Velpuri, Surya Sekhar, Sistla, Krishna Mohan, Ayyala, Sree Ram Murthy, Vaidya, Manohar S., G., Amba Prasad
• Granted Patent: US 6,714,632 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/114.02
• 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

A method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks, including accepting and processing a request 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, verifying that the user is authorized 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 and charging, in real time, an authorized account associated with the user as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided. There is also included a telephony platform providing communication services to users, the telephony platform having an input receiver that receives, via a plurality of networks of different types, a personal identification number from a user, an enhanced communication service selection that the user selected from a plurality of enhanced communication services and a request for user account information, a storage device that stores an account value linked to the personal identification number, a verification module that authenticates the personal identification number sent by the input device and verifies that the stored account value has sufficient value to pay for the enhanced communication service and a processor that provides the user-selected enhanced communication service and/or the user-requested account information to the user.

Claims

1. A method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks, comprising:

accepting and processing a request 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;

verifying that the user is authorized 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; and

charging, in real time, an authorized account associated with the user as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

2. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 1, further comprising processing real-time settlement data for the at least one of the communication service and commercial transaction.

3. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks 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 and interactive voice response.

4. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 1, further comprising verifying that the user is within a specified area, country or that the requested communication service or transaction is within a user feature restriction level.

5. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 1, wherein the charging includes at least one of decreasing an account balance of a pre-authorized account and increasing a balance of a charge account.

6. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 1, further comprising recording information about the at least one communication service and the transaction, including at least one of location of the authorized user, the amount charged, the date, the time and the type of transaction.

7. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 1, wherein the at least one of a communication service and transaction is provided by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

8. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 1, wherein the plurality of networks of different types include at least one of a wireless communication network, a publicly switched telephone network, a landline communication network, a global or wide area computer network, the internet, a TCP/IP LAN, a SS-7 signaling network, an IP signaling network and a router network.

9. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 1, further comprising providing services of at least one of user account management functions, payment administration functions, rate plan functions, and security functions.

10. A method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks, comprising:

accepting a request via a plurality of networks of different types, from a user requesting at least one of a communication service and a transaction;

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

charging, using rating engines that dynamically calculate charges, an account associated with the user for providing the at least one of the communication service and authorizing the transaction if the accepting and verifying is successful.

11. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 10, 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 and interactive voice response.

12. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 10, further comprising verifying that the user is within a specified area, country or that the requested communication service or transaction is within a user feature restriction level.

13. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 10, wherein the charging includes at least one of decreasing an account balance of a pre-authorized account and increasing a balance of a charge account.

14. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 10, further comprising recording information about the at least one communication service and the transaction, including at least one of location of the authorized user, the amount charged, the date, the time and the type of transaction.

15. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 10, wherein the at least one of a communication service and transaction is provided by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

16. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 10, wherein the plurality of networks of different types include at least one of a wireless communication network, a publicly switched telephone network, a landline communication network, a global or wide area computer network, the internet, a TCP/IP LAN, a SS-7 signaling network, an IP signaling network and a router network.

17. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 10, further comprising providing services of at least one of user account management functions, payment administration functions, rate plan functions, and security functions.

18. The method of providing pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions via a plurality of networks of claim 10, further comprising processing real-time settlement data for the at least one of the communication service and commercial transaction.

20. The method of providing communications services according to claim 19, wherein the operation of providing enhanced communications services is accomplished through a network or networks, comprising:

a landline communication network;

a wireless communication network;

a wide area network;

a global computer network;

a cable network;

a satellite network;

or

the Internet.

19. A method of providing communications services to users via a network or networks, the method comprising:

receiving from a user a request for an enhanced communications service originating from any one of plurality of networks of different types;

verifying, via an enhanced services platform, that the user is authorized to receive the enhanced communication service, and

providing, via the enhanced services platform, the enhanced communications service to the user through a switch with is not configured to provide the enhanced communication service without the enhanced services platform.

21. A method of providing communications services to users via a network or networks, the method comprising:

receiving from a user a personal identification number;

authenticating the personal identification number;

accepting, via an enhanced services platform, from the user, a request for an enhanced communication service originating from any one of a plurality of networks of different types;

verifying, via the enhanced services platform, that an account linked to the personal identification number has sufficient value to pay for the enhanced communication service; and

providing, via the enhanced services platform, the enhanced communication service to the user.

22. The method of providing communication services to users via a network or networks according to claim 21, wherein the providing includes decrementing a charge for the enhanced communication service from an online pre-paid user account or adding a charge to an online credit account.

23. The method of providing communication services to users via a network or networks according to claim 21, wherein the enhanced communication services are accessed by a user through any type of switch, without upgrading the switch.

25. The telephony platform of claim 24, wherein the verification module further authenticates the user to the personal identification number using at least one of a security code, a password, user intervention, a PIN number, automatic call back and interactive voice response.

26. The telephony platform of claim 24, wherein the verification module further verifies that the user is within a specified area, country or that user-selected enhanced communication service and/or the user-requested account information is within a user feature restriction level.

27. The telephony platform of claim 24, wherein the storage device further records information about the at least one communication service and the transaction, including at least one of location of the authorized user, the amount charged, the date, the time and the type of transaction.

28. The telephony platform of claim 24, wherein the at least one of a communication service and transaction is provided by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

29. The telephony platform of claim 24, wherein the plurality of networks of different types include at least one of a wireless communication network, a publicly switched telephone network, a landline communication network, a global or wide area computer network, the internet, a TCP/IP LAN, a SS-7 signaling network, an IP signaling network and a router network.

30. The telephony platform of claim 24, wherein the user-selected enhanced communication service and/or the user-requested account information is at least one of user account management functions, payment administration functions, rate plan functions, and security functions.

24. A telephony platform providing communication services to users, the telephony platform comprising:

an input receiver that receives, via a plurality of networks of different types, a personal identification number from a user, an enhanced communication service selection that the user selected from a plurality of enhanced communication services and a request for user account information;

a storage device that stores an account value linked to the personal identification number;

a verification module that authenticates the personal identification number sent by the input device and verifies that the stored account value has sufficient value to pay for the enhanced communication service; and

a processor that provides the user-selected enhanced communication service and/or the user-requested account information to the user.