Origin device billing according to caller

• US 20030112936A1
• Filed: 12/17/2001
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Winters, Scott Lee, Paolini, Michael A., Brown, Michael Wayne, Weaver, James Mark, McIntyre, Joseph Herbert
• Granted Patent: US 6,956,935 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/121.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• 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 15/09 Third party charged communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/765 Linked or grouped accounts, e.g. of users or devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/7652 shared by users
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/77 involving multiple accounts per user
• 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 2215/66 Third party billing, i.e. third party can also be the predetermined telephone line of the caller if he is calling from another telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/724 Linked accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7245 Shared by users, e.g. group accounts or one account for different users
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7254 Multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier

Abstract

A method, system, and program for billing for service provided to an origin device according to the current caller billing plan. A trusted telephone network, including at least one service provider, receives a request for service from an origin device. The origin device is associated with a line number to be billed for according to a line subscriber billing plan. An identity of a caller requesting the service from the origin device is authenticated. Then, a billing plan associated with the authenticated caller identity is accessed and utilized to replace or supplement the line subscriber billing plan, such that billing for service provided at an origin device is specified according to the caller currently utilizing the origin device.

Claims

1. A method for billing for telephone services, said method comprising:

receiving, at at least one service provider within a trusted telephone network, a request for service from an origin device associated with a line number to be billed according to a line subscriber billing plan;

authenticating an identity of a caller requesting said service from said origin device; and

replacing said line subscriber billing plan with a caller billing plan associated with said caller, wherein said caller billing plan is accessible according to said authenticated identity.

2. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, wherein authenticating an identity of a caller further comprises:

authenticating said identity of said caller according to a voice utterance provided by said caller.

3. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, wherein authenticating an identity of a caller further comprises:

initiating authentication of said identity of said caller at said origin device.

4. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, wherein authenticating an identity of a caller further comprises:

initiating authentication of said identity of said caller at an intermediary device receiving said request for service.

5. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, wherein authenticating an identity of a caller further comprises:

initiating authentication of said identity of said caller at a destination device, wherein said destination device is enabled for call receipt.

6. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving said request for service from said origin device at an intermediary device;

initiating a register for said request for service;

accessing a line subscriber profile associated with a line number providing access for said origin device;

loading said line subscriber profile into said register; and

in response to accessing a caller profile according to said identity of said caller, replacing at least a portion of said line subscriber profile with said billing plan specified for said caller in said caller profile.

7. The method for billing for telephone services according to claim 6, further comprising:

switching said call from said register associated with a first service provider within said intermediary device to a register associated with a second service provider within said intermediary device, wherein said second service provider provides said billing plan for said caller.

8. The method for billing for telephone service according to claim 6, further comprising:

controlling at least one particular service provided for said call request according to said at least one particular service selected in a caller profile accessible according to said authenticated identity of said caller.

9. A system for providing telephone services, said system comprising:

a trusted telephone network comprising at least one service provider;

means for receiving, at said at least one service provider, a request for service from an origin device associated with a line number to be billed according to a line subscriber billing plan;

means for authenticating an identity of a caller requesting said service from said origin device; and

means for replacing said line subscriber billing plan with a caller billing plan associated with said caller, wherein said caller billing plan is accessible according to said authenticated identity.

10. The system for providing telephone services according to claim 9, further comprising:

means for assigning a register at said at least one service provider to said request for service;

means for accessing said line subscriber billing plan according to said line number;

means for loading said line subscriber billing plan into said register; and

means for replacing said line subscriber billing plan in said register with said caller billing plan in said register.

11. The system for providing telephone services according to claim 9, further comprising:

means for accessing said caller billing plan from at least one data storage system comprising at least one from among a data storage system within said trusted telephone network and a data storage system outside said trusted telephone network, wherein an additional level of security is required for accessing said data storage system outside said trusted telephone network.

12. The system for billing for telephone services according to claim 9, wherein said means for authenticating an identity of a caller further comprises:

means for authenticating said identity of said caller according to a voice utterance provided by said caller.

13. The system for billing for telephone services according to claim 9, wherein said means for authenticating an identity of a caller further comprises:

means for initiating authentication of said identity of said caller at said origin device.

14. The system for billing for telephone services according to claim 9, wherein said means for authenticating an identity of a caller further comprises:

means for initiating authentication of said identity of said caller at an intermediary device receiving said request for service.

15. The system for billing for telephone services according to claim 9, wherein said means for authenticating an identity of a caller further comprises:

means for initiating authentication of said identity of said caller at a destination device, wherein said destination device is enabled for call receipt.

16. The system for providing telephone services according to claim 9, further comprising:

means for authenticating said identity of said caller at a telephone service server outside said trusted telephone network.

17. The system for providing telephone services according to claim 9, further comprising:

means for supplementing at least one service provided for said call request according to said line number with at least one service associated with a profile accessing according to said authenticated identity for said caller.

18. A computer program product for providing telephone services, said computer program product comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for enabling receipt, at at least one service provider, of a request for service from an origin device associated with a line number to be billed according to a line subscriber billing plan;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for authenticating an identity of a caller requesting said service from said origin device; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for controlling replacement of said line subscriber billing plan with a caller billing plan associated with said caller identity.

19. The computer program product for providing telephone services according to claim 18, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for assigning a register at said at least one service provider to said request for service;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for accessing said line subscriber billing plan according to said line number;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for loading said line subscriber billing plan into said register; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for controlling replacement of said line subscriber billing plan in said register with said caller billing plan in said register.

20. The computer program product for providing telephone services according to claim 18, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for accessing said caller billing plan from at least one data storage system comprising at least one from among a data storage system within said trusted telephone network and a data storage system outside said trusted telephone network.

21. The computer program product for billing for telephone services according to claim 18, wherein said means for authenticating an identity of a caller further comprises:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for authenticating said identity of said caller according to a voice utterance provided by said caller.

22. The computer program product for billing for telephone services according to claim 18, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for initiating authentication of said identity of said caller at said origin device.

23. The computer program product for billing for telephone services according to claim 18, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for initiating authentication of said identity of said caller at an intermediary device receiving said request for service.

24. The computer program product for billing for telephone services according to claim 18, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for initiating authentication of said identity of said caller at a destination device, wherein said destination device is enabled for call receipt.

25. The computer program product for providing telephone services according to claim 18, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for authenticating said identity of said caller at a telephone service server outside said trusted telephone network.

26. The computer program product for providing telephone services according to claim 18, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for supplementing at least one service provided for said call request according to said line number with at least one service associated with a profile accessing according to said authenticated identity for said caller.

27. A method for billing a caller for telephone services, comprising:

receiving a request for service from a caller utilizing a particular line number from among a plurality of line numbers;

authenticating an identity of said caller; and

accessing a billing plan for said caller according to said authenticated identity, wherein said billing plan follows said caller across a plurality of line numbers.

28. The method for billing a caller for telephone services according to claim 27, wherein said particular line number is subscribed to by said caller.

29. The method for billing a caller for telephone services according to claim 27, wherein said particular line number is subscribed to by an individual other than said caller.

30. A system for billing a caller for telephone services, said system comprising:

a trusted telephone network for enabling a call;

means for receiving a request for service at said trusted telephone network from a caller utilizing a particular line number from among a plurality of line numbers;

means for authenticating an identity of said caller; and

means for accessing a billing plan for said caller according to said authenticated identity, wherein said billing plan follows said caller across a plurality of line numbers.

31. The system for billing a caller for telephone services according to claim 30, wherein said particular line number is subscribed to by said caller.

32. The system for billing a caller for telephone services according to claim 30, wherein said particular line number is subscribed to by an individual other than said caller.

33. A computer program product for billing a caller for telephone services, said computer program product comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for enabling receipt of a request for service at said trusted telephone network from a caller utilizing a particular line number from among a plurality of line numbers;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for authenticating an identity of said caller; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for accessing a billing plan for said caller according to said authenticated identity, wherein said billing plan follows said caller across a plurality of line numbers.

34. A method for controlling billing for a call, comprising:

receiving an authenticated caller identity and billing plan associated with said authenticated caller identity for a call, wherein said billing plan comprises a plurality of account providers for said authenticated caller identity;

monitoring said call for chargeable services utilized during said call; and

negotiating payment for said chargeable services from said at least one account provider according to said authenticated caller identity.

35. The method for controlling billing for a call according to claim 34, further comprising:

filtering said billing plan according to a context for said call, wherein a selection of said plurality of account providers are determined relevant for said call according to said context.

36. The method for controlling billing for a call according to claim 34, further comprising:

prompting a caller of said authenticated caller identity to select from among said plurality of account providers for said call.

37. A method for controlling telephone orders, comprising:

receiving a billing plan for an authenticated caller identifier of a caller during a call placed to a vendor order center, wherein at least one account provider is specified in said billing plan;

specifying an order with a selection of one from among said at least one account provider specified for billing for said order;

receiving an authorization from said caller for said order;

transferring a bill for said order according to said authenticated caller identifier and said authorization for said selection of one from among said at least one account provider, such that said vendor order center is enabled to bill for said order with limited account information.

38. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein said at least one account provider comprises at least one from among a credit account provider, a debit account provider, and a savings account provider.

39. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein said authenticated caller identifier comprises a caller name.

40. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein said at least one account provider is specified for a context of said call.

41. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein said billing plan further comprises at least one shipping address.

42. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein specifying an order further comprises:

automatically specifying said selection of one from among at least one account provider where one account provider is provided.

43. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, further comprising:

specifying said selection of one from among at least one account provider according to a selection by said caller.

44. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, further comprising:

selecting a first account provider for billing for said order; and

only adjusting said selection if said caller requests selection options of another account provider.

45. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein receiving an authorization comprises receiving a keypad authorization entry by said call from an origin device.

46. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein receiving an authorization comprises receiving a voice authorization entry by said call from an origin device.

47. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein receiving an authorization comprises receiving a touch selection authorization entry by said call from an origin device.

48. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein transferring a bill further comprises:

transferring said bill to said selection of one from among said at least one account provider.

49. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein transferring a bill further comprises:

transferring said bill to a billing service enabled to negotiate payment from said selection of one from among said at least one account provider to a vendor account provider.

50. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein said vendor ordering center comprises a single terminal.

51. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein said vendor ordering center comprises a call center enabled with an interactive voice recognition unit for facilitating order placement.

52. The method for controlling telephone orders according to claim 37, wherein said vendor ordering center comprises a call center managing a plurality of representatives.

53. A system for controlling telephone orders, comprising:

a server system enabled for processing a call;

means for receiving a billing plan for an authenticated caller identifier of a caller during a call placed to a vendor order center at said server system, wherein at least one account provider is specified in said billing plan;

means for specifying an order with a selection of one from among said at least one account provider specified for billing for said order;

means for receiving an authorization from said caller for said order;

means for transferring a bill for said order according to said authenticated caller identifier and said authorization for said selection of one from among said at least one account provider.

54. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein said at least one account provider comprises at least one from among a credit account provider, a debit account provider, and a savings account provider.

55. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein said authenticated caller identifier comprises a caller name.

56. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein said at least one account provider is specified for a context of said call.

57. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein said billing plan further comprises at least one shipping address.

58. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein said means for specifying an order further comprises:

means for automatically specifying said selection of one from among at least one account provider where one account provider is provided.

59. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, further comprising:

means for specifying said selection of one from among at least one account provider according to a selection by said caller.

60. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, further comprising:

means for selecting a first account provider for billing for said order; and

means for only adjusting said selection if said caller requests selection options of another account provider.

61. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein receiving an authorization comprises receiving a keypad authorization entry by said call from an origin device.

62. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein receiving an authorization comprises receiving a voice authorization entry by said call from an origin device.

63. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein receiving an authorization comprises receiving a touch selection authorization entry by said call from an origin device.

64. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein said means for transferring a bill further comprises:

means for transferring said bill to said selection of one from among said at least one account provider.

65. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein said means for transferring a bill further comprises:

means for transferring said bill to a billing service enabled to negotiate payment from said selection of one from among said at least one account provider to a vendor account provider.

66. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein said vendor ordering center comprises a single terminal.

67. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein said vendor ordering center comprises a call center enabled with an interactive voice recognition unit for facilitating order placement.

68. The system for controlling telephone orders according to claim 53, wherein said vendor ordering center comprises a call center managing a plurality of representatives.

69. A computer program product for controlling telephone orders, comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for enabling receipt of a billing plan for an authenticated caller identifier of a caller during a call placed to a vendor order center, wherein at least one account provider is specified in said billing plan;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for specifying an order with a selection of one from among said at least one account provider specified for billing for said order;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for receiving an authorization from said caller for said order;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for controlling transfer of a bill for said order according to said authenticated caller identifier and said authorization for said selection of one from among said at least one account provider.

70. The computer program product for controlling telephone orders according to claim 69, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for automatically specifying said selection of one from among at least one account provider where one account provider is provided.

71. The computer program product for controlling telephone orders according to claim 69, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for specifying said selection of one from among at least one account provider according to a selection by said caller.

72. The computer program product for controlling telephone orders according to claim 69, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for selecting a first account provider for billing for said order; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for only adjusting said selection if said caller requests selection options of another account provider.

73. The computer program product for controlling telephone orders according to claim 69, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for controlling transfer of said bill to said selection of one from among said at least one account provider.

74. The computer program product for controlling telephone orders according to claim 69, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for controlling transfer of said bill to a billing service enabled to negotiate payment from said selection of one from among said at least one account provider to a vendor account provider.

75. A method for controlling order payments, comprising:

receiving a bill for an order from a vendor according to an authenticated identifier for a caller placing said order and a selected account provider; and

negotiating payment from said selected account provider according to said authenticated identifier to said vendor.

76. A method for account management, comprising:

receiving a bill for an order placed via a telephone call, wherein a billed party is identified by an voice authenticated identifier; and

providing payment for said bill from an account managed according to said voice authenticated identifier.

77. The method for account management according to claim 76, wherein said bill is received from a secure billing service negotiating payment from said billed party to a vendor.

78. The method for account management according to claim 76, wherein said bill is received for a vendor order center.

79. The method for account management according to claim 76, wherein said bill is received for an individual.

80. A method for managing payments, comprising:

receiving a bill for an order placed by a plurality of callers via a telephone call, wherein said plurality of callers splitting a cost of said bill are each identified by one of a plurality of voice authenticated identifiers; and

facilitating payment for said bill from a plurality of account providers according to said plurality of voice authenticated identifiers; and

providing a single payment transaction for said bill to an account provider for a billing party.

81. A method for order management, comprising:

receiving an order at a vendor order center, wherein an ordering party is identified by an voice authenticated identifier;

filling in billing information for said order from a billing plan received for said ordering party according to said voice authenticated identifier; and

responsive to a single entry authorization by said ordering party, initiating billing and processing of said order according to said voice authenticated identifier.