Method and system for automatic calling unit replenishment

• US 7,382,873 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2003
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Jiddou, Nada S.
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BINH KIEN
• Application Number:
  US10/607,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20040266392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,803 Days
• Field of Search: 455405-409, 455/411, 455/414.1, 455418-420, 455/435.1, 379/114.01, 379/114.16, 379/114.2, 379/121.01, 379/121.02
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0152 General billing plans, rate plans, e.g. charge rates, numbering plans, rate centers, customer accounts
• 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 2215/22 Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

The invention provides a method and system for replenishing calling units for a wireless communications device. The method comprises receiving a calling plan configuration signal at the wireless communication device and setting a predetermined calling termination configuration based on the plan configuration signal. The system includes means for receiving a calling plan configuration signal at the wireless communication device; and means for setting a predetermined calling termination configuration based on the calling plan configuration signal.

Claims

1. A method of replenishing calling units for a calling plan of a wireless communications device, the method comprising:

receiving a calling plan configuration signal at the wireless communication device;

setting a predetermined calling termination configuration based on the calling plan configuration signal, the predetermined calling termination configuration being set at at least one of a predetermined plan duration, a predetermined number of calling units or a predetermined number of cycles;

monitoring whether the at least one of the predetermined plan duration, the predetermined number of calling units or the predetermined number of cycles is expired or depleted as a subscriber uses the wireless communications device;

prompting the subscriber to choose either an other predetermined calling termination configuration or a temporary calling plan when the at least one of the predetermined plan duration, the predetermined number of calling units or the predetermined number of cycles is expired or depleted; and

terminating the calling plan if the subscriber does not choose the other predetermined calling termination configuration or the temporary calling plan.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined calling termination configuration is set at the predetermined number of calling units.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

decrementing the predetermined number of calling units as the calling units are used.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined calling termination configuration is set at the predetermined number of cycles.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined calling termination configuration is set at the predetermined plan duration.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

determining whether a cycle has expired;

determining whether at least one additional cycle remains based on the expiration of the cycle; and

resetting a number of calling units if the at least one additional cycle remains.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the calling plan configuration signal is based on information received at a remote server.

8. A computer usable medium including a program to replenish calling units for a calling plan of a wireless communications device, comprising:

computer program code for receiving a calling plan configuration signal at the wireless communication device;

computer program code for setting a predetermined calling termination configuration based on the calling plan configuration signal, the predetermined calling termination configuration including at least one of a predetermined plan duration, a predetermined number of calling units, or a predetermined number of cycles;

computer program code for monitoring whether the at least one of the predetermined plan duration, the predetermined number of calling units or the predetermined number of cycles is expired or depleted as a subscriber uses the wireless communications device;

computer program code for prompting the subscriber to choose either an other predetermined calling termination configuration or a temporary calling plan when the at least one of the predetermined plan duration, the predetermined number of calling units or the predetermined number of cycles is expired or depleted; and

computer program code for terminating the calling plan if the subscriber does not choose the other predetermined calling termination configuration or the temporary calling plan.

9. The computer usable medium of claim 8 wherein the predetermined calling termination configuration comprises setting is set at the predetermined number of calling units.

10. The computer usable medium of claim 9 further comprising:

computer program code for decrementing the predetermined number of calling units as the calling units are used.

11. The computer usable medium of claim 8 wherein the predetermined calling termination configuration is set at the predetermined number of cycles.

12. The computer usable medium of claim 8 wherein the predetermined calling termination configuration is set at the predetermined plan duration.

13. The computer usable medium of claim 11, further comprising:

computer program code for determining whether a cycle has expired;

computer program code for determining whether at least one additional cycle remains based on the expiration of the cycle; and

computer program code for resetting a number of calling units if the at least one additional cycle remains.

14. The computer usable medium of claim 8 wherein the calling plan configuration signal is based on information received at a remote server.

15. A system of replenishing calling units for a calling plan of a wireless communications device, the system comprising:

means for receiving a calling plan configuration signal at the wireless communication device;

means for setting a predetermined calling termination configuration based on the calling plan configuration signal, the means for setting configured to set the predetermined calling termination configuration at at least one of a predetermined plan duration, a predetermined number of calling units or a predetermined number of cycles;

means for monitoring whether the at least one of the predetermined plan duration, the predetermined number of calling units or the predetermined number of cycles is expired or depleted as a subscriber uses the wireless communications device;

means for prompting the subscriber to choose either an other predetermined calling termination configuration or a temporary calling plan when the at least one of the predetermined plan duration, the predetermined number of calling units or the predetermined number of cycles is expired or depleted; and

means for terminating the calling plan if the subscriber does not choose the other predetermined calling termination configuration or the temporary calling plan.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the predetermined calling termination configuration is set at the predetermined number of calling units and wherein the system further comprises means for decrementing the predetermined number of calling units as the calling units are used.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the predetermined calling termination configuration is set at the predetermined number of cycles, and wherein the system further comprises:

means for determining whether a cycle has expired;

means for determining whether at least one additional cycle remains based on the expiration of the cycle; and

means for resetting a number of calling units if at least one additional cycle remains.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the calling plan configuration signal is based on information received at a remote server.