Enhanced communication platform and related communication method using the platform

• US 6,714,632 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2002
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Inventors: Raju, Janaki Rama, Ray, Biswajit Sundar, Gupta, Prafulla C., Reddy, Ashok K., Rao, K. Veerabhadra, Mambakkam, Ramkumar Kachapeswaran, Nallajerla, Kondal Rao, Velpuri, Surya Sekhar, Sistla, Krishna Mohan, Gudipati, Amba Prasad, Ayyala, Sree Ram Murthy, Jampana, Varma Laxml Jagannadha Siva Kumar, Vaidya, Manohar S., Gupta, Richa, Undavalli, Prasad, Nallagonda, Bhanumurthy, Bonajiri, Sivaramayya, Alla, Rajesh, Ravi, S. D. V., Joyce, Simon James, Kaushal, Alok, Govind, Raghuram
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Quoc D.
• Application Number:
  US10/114,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20020106065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 379/111, 379/112.01, 379/114.01, 379/114.03, 379/114.05, 379/114.15, 379/114.17, 379/114.2, 379/133, 379/134, 379/144.01, 379/144.05, 379/144.06, 379/144.07, 379/144.08, 705/1, 705/16, 705/52, 705/61, 370/259, 370/352, 370/353, 370/354
• US Class Current: 379/114.2
• 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 transactions using a plurality of external 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 using one of the plurality of external 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 at a platform, an authorized account associated with the user as the platform controls a corresponding one of the plurality of external networks to provide at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided,

wherein;

the platform is outside of the plurality of external networks of different types, and

the at least one of a communication service and transaction is provided by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

2. The method 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 claim 1, 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 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 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 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 claim 1 ,wherein the plurality of external networks of different types controllable by the platform include 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.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing services from the platform on the plurality of external networks selectable between user account management functions, payment administration functions, rate plan functions, and security functions.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

re-establishing a connection with the disconnected user and advising the disconnected user of a balance remaining in the account associated with the disconnected user.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining 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 plurality of external networks of different types and adding value to the account associated with the user from the accepted account number.

11. A method of providing pre-authorized communication services and transactions using plurality of external networks, comprising:

accepting a request from a corresponding one of the plurality of external networks of different types, the request being 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 at a platform, using rating engines that dynamically calculate charges, an account associated with the user while the platform controls a corresponding one of the external networks from the platform to provide the at least one of the communication service and authorizing the transaction if the accepting and verifying is successful,

wherein;

the platform is outside of the plurality of external networks of different types, and

the at least one of a communication service and transaction is provided by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

12. The method of claim 11, 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.

13. The method of claim 11, 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.

14. The method of claim 11, 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.

15. The method of claim 11, 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.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of external networks of different types controllable by the platform include 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 claim 11, 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 claim 11, further comprising processing real-time settlement data for the at least one of the communication service and commercial transaction.

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

an interface that receives, from a plurality of external 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 service, a transaction, 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 interface and verifies that the stored account value has sufficient value to pay for the user-selected one of the enhanced communication service and the transaction; and

a processor that controls for each user-selected one of the enhanced commnunication service, the transaction, and/or the user-requested account information, a corresponding one of the plurality of external networks to provides the user-selected one of the enhanced communication service, the transaction, and/or the user-requested account information to the user,

wherein;

the platform is outside of the plurality of external networks of different types, and

the at least one of a communication service and the transaction is provided by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers.

20. The telephony platform of claim 19, 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.

21. The telephony platform of claim 19, 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.

22. The telephony platform of claim 19, 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.

23. The telephony platform of claim 19, wherein the plurality of external networks of different types controllable by the platform include 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.

24. The telephony platform of claim 19, 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.

25. The telephony platform of claim 19, wherein, if the processor determines while providing the user-selected one of the communication service and the transaction that the stored account value has become insufficient, the processor accepts an account number and adds value to the stored account value from the accepted account number.

26. The telephony platform of claim 19, wherein the processor disconnects the user from one of the plurality of external networks after the user-selected one of the communication service and transaction is provided, re-establishes a connection with the disconnected user and advises the disconnected user of a balance remaining in the corresponding stored account value.

27. A platform providing communication services to users requested over external networks of different types, the platform comprising:

an interface through which user identifiers are received from the external networks of different types, each of the user identifiers having a conesponding request for an enhanced communication service which is selected by the user from a plurality of the enhanced communication services, the interface being outside of the external networks from which the user identifiers and the requested enhanced communication services are received;

a storage device that stores account values linked to the user identifiers;

a verification module that receives the user identifiers from the interface, authenticates each received user identifier sent by the interface, and provides a verification indicator for each user identifier if the verification module verifies that the corresponding one of the stored account values has a sufficient value to pay for the corresponding requested enhanced communication service; and

a processor that receives the verification indicators from the verification module and, for each verification indicator corresponding to one of the user identifiers, controls, through the interface, an element of a corresponding one of the external networks to provide the requested enhanced communication service.

28. The platform of claim 27, wherein, while the processor controls the element of the one external network to provide the corresponding requested enhanced communication services, the processor monitors the requested enhanced communication services and adjusts the account values.

29. The platform of claim 28, wherein, for each requested enhanced communication service being provided, the processor controls the element of the one corresponding external network to provide the enhanced communication service to the extent the corresponding adjusted account value is at or above a predetermined account value.

30. The platform of claim 29, wherein, for each requested enhanced communication service being provided, the processor controls the element of the one corresponding external network to discontinue providing the requested enhanced communication service where the processor determines, while the requested enhanced communication service is being provided, that the corresponding adjusted account value is below the predetermined account value.

31. The platform of claim 27, wherein the processor comprises a real time rating engine which, while the requested enhanced communication service is being provided, provides real time rating to adjust the corresponding account value to provide the adjusted account value while the requested enhanced communication service is being provided.

32. The platform of claim 30, wherein the processor comprises a real time rating engine which, while the enhanced communication service is being provided, provides real time rating to adjust the corresponding account value to provide the adjusted account value.

33. The platform of claim 27, wherein:

the verification module further sends a verification denial to the processor if the verification module determines, after authentication of one of the received user identifiers, that the corresponding one of the stored account values has an insufficient value to pay for the corresponding requested enhanced communication service, and

upon receipt of the verification denial for the one user identifier, the processor disconnects the corresponding external network prior to the providing the requested enhanced communication service requested by the one user.

34. The platform of claim 32, wherein:

the verification module further sends a verification denial to the processor if the verification module determines, after authentication of one of the received user identifiers, that the corresponding one of the stored account values has an insufficient value to pay for the corresponding requested enhanced communication service, and

upon receipt of the verification denial for the one user identifier, the processor controls the element of the one corresponding external network to effect disconnection from the one corresponding external network prior to the providing the requested enhanced communication service requested by the one user.

35. The platform of claim 29, wherein:

one of the external networks comprises a public switched telephone network comprising a switch as the element and which is used to connect and disconnect calls over the public switched telephone network,

one of the requested enhanced communication services is to be provided using a call to be provided through the switch, and

the processor controls the switch to selectively provide the one requested enhanced communication service to the corresponding user by connecting and disconnecting the call in accordance with the adjusted account value being at or above the predetermine account value.

36. The platform of claim 35, wherein the interface comprises a computer telephony interface (CTI) card through which the user identifier and the requested enhanced communication service is received and through which the processor controls the switch.

37. The platform of claim 29, wherein:

one of the plurality of external networks comprises a wireless network including the element, and

the processor controls the element of the wireless network to provide the requested enhanced communication service to the user.

38. The platform of claim 29, wherein;

one of the enhanced communication services comprises a transaction in which a good is provided in exchange for an amount deducted from the corresponding stored account value;

another one of the enhanced communication services comprises a transaction in which access to the internet is provided in exchange for an amount deducted from the corresponding stored account value;

a further one of the enhanced communication services comprises a transaction in which financial goods are provided in exchange for an amount deducted from the corresponding stored account value; and

an additional one of the enhanced communication services comprises a transaction in which entertainment goods are provided in exchange for an amount deducted from the corresponding stored account value.

39. The platform of claim 30, wherein:

one of the enhanced communication services comprises a transaction in which a good is provided in exchange for an amount deducted from the corresponding stored account value;

another one of the enhanced communication services comprises a transaction in which access to the internet is provided in exchange for an amount deducted from the corresponding stored account value;

a further one of the enhanced communication services comprises a transaction in which financial goods are provided in exchange for an amount deducted from the corresponding stored account value; and

an additional one of the enhanced communication services comprises a transaction in which entertainment goods are provided in exchange for an amount deducted from the corresponding stored account value.

40. The platform of claim 27, wherein the processor and the verification module comprise first and second servers.

41. The platform of claim 40, wherein the processor and verification module functions of the first server provides ones of the plurality enhanced communication service including telephony services.

42. The platform of claim 41, wherein the telephony services comprise voice mail, call conferencing, and outcalling, and prepaid calling.

43. The platform of claim 42, wherein the processor and verification module functions of the second sewer provides additional ones of the plurality enhanced communication service including abbreviated dialing, password service, automatic alarm, conference call, multi-line calling, call forward, call accept, call back, distinctive ringing, network voice mail, interception service, call detect, and call parking.

44. The platform of claim 27, wherein the verification module comprise a first server, and the processor comprises a second server in communication with the first server.

45. The platform of claim 44, wherein the first server comprises a radius server.

46. The platform of claim 27, wherein one of the enhanced communication services is provided through one of the external networks which would be unable to provide the one enhanced communication service without the control of the processor.

47. The platform of claim 27, wherein the interface further receives from the external networks requests for user account information corresponding to ones of the user identifiers, and

the processor provides the requested user account information if the verification module authenticates the corresponding user identifier.

48. The platform of claim 47, wherein the processor provides user account management functions, payment administration functions, rate plan functions, and security functions if the verification module authenticates the corresponding user identifier.

49. The platform of claim 29, wherein, if the processor determines while providing the requested enhanced communication service that the adjusted account value is below the predetermined account value, the processor accepts an account number and adds value to the stored account value from the accepted account number.

50. The platform of claim 27, wherein the processor disconnets the user from the element of the one of the external networks after the corresponding requested enhanced communication service is provided, re-establishes a connection with the disconneted user and advises the disconnected user of a balance remaining in the corresponding stored account value.