Method of billing a communication session conducted over a computer network
First Claim
1. A method of billing a communication session over a computer network, comprising:
- receiving a request from a user for a communication session over a computer network between the user and a value-added service;
performing an initial fraud control operation with respect to the user;
requesting information associated with a credit account before the user is connected to the value-added service when the user passes the initial fraud control operation;
receiving the information associated with a credit account;
communicating credit account information to a payment authorization database;
receiving payment authorization information associated with the credit account from the payment authorization database before the user is connected to the value-added service;
connecting the user to the value-added service when the payment authorization information is affirmative; and
transmitting session charge information associated with the communication session to the payment authorization database when the communication session is terminated, the session charge information including information for charging the credit account an amount representing a charge for the communication session.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of billing a communication session between a user and a value-added service. A request is received from a user for a communication session, such as a circuit-switched call, a computer-network telephony call or a multimedia session, between the user and a value-added service. Information associated with a credit account is requested before the user is connected to the value-added service. The information associated with the credit account, such as credit card information, debit card information or checking account information, is received in real time. Credit account information, which includes the received information associated with the credit account and a predetermined amount that is to be charged to the credit account, is communicated to a payment authorization database, which can be located locally or remotely. Alternatively, the credit account information includes the received information associated with the credit account and a predetermined amount that is to be set aside in the credit account for the communication session. Payment authorization information associated with the credit account is received from the remote site before the user is connected to the value-added service. The user is connected to the value-added service when the payment authorization information is affirmative. A total charge for the communication session that is based on an actual time that the user is connected to the value-added service is calculated when the communication session is terminated. Lastly, session charge information associated with the communication session is transmitted to the remote site when the communication session is terminated, the session charge information including information for charging the credit account an amount representing a charge for the communication session.
196 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of billing a communication session over a computer network, comprising:
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receiving a request from a user for a communication session over a computer network between the user and a value-added service; performing an initial fraud control operation with respect to the user; requesting information associated with a credit account before the user is connected to the value-added service when the user passes the initial fraud control operation; receiving the information associated with a credit account; communicating credit account information to a payment authorization database; receiving payment authorization information associated with the credit account from the payment authorization database before the user is connected to the value-added service; connecting the user to the value-added service when the payment authorization information is affirmative; and transmitting session charge information associated with the communication session to the payment authorization database when the communication session is terminated, the session charge information including information for charging the credit account an amount representing a charge for the communication session. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of billing a communication session, comprising:
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receiving a request from a user, over a network, for a communication session with a service; performing an initial fraud control operation with respect to the user; requesting billing information from the user before the user is connected to the service when the user passes the initial fraud control operation; receiving the requested billing information; communicating the received billing information to an authorization database; connecting the user to the service when the authorization database approves the received billing information; and transmitting session charge information associated with the communication session to the payment authorization database when the communication session is terminated, the session charge information including information for billing the user an amount representing a charge for the communication session. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of billing a communication session, comprising:
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receiving a request from a user, over a network, for a communication session with a service; performing an initial fraud control operation with respect to the user to determine whether a location of the user is listed in a negative database; requesting billing information from the user before the user is connected to the service when the initial fraud control operation determines the location of the user is not listed in the negative database; receiving the requested billing information; performing an additional fraud control operation to determine whether the received billing information provided by the user is listed in the negative database; communicating the received billing information to an authorization database when the additional fraud control operation determines that the received billing information is not listed in the negative database; connecting the user to the service when the authorization database approves the received billing information; and transmitting session charge information associated with the communication session to the payment authorization database when the communication session is terminated, the session charge information including information for billing the user an amount representing a charge for the communication session. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification