System and method for monitoring voice/data usage and financial transactions made through a communications service

• US 7,717,334 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2006
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GoFigure Payments, LLC
• Original Assignee: GoFigure Payments, LLC
• Inventors: Rolf, Devon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US11/485,683
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/375, 235/381, 705/14, 705/26, 705/52
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

A system and method for substantially increasing billing flexibility on communications or media accounts which also offer user users the ability to make electronic purchases or other financial transactions, where those transactions are accounted for with an additional account or with the same account through which the media or communications services are offered. Charges associated with use of the communications service or making of the financial transactions may be increased or reduced depending on such factors as volume of use, number of transactions, and a monetary value of the transactions.

Claims

1. A method of determining charges for usage of a communications service, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring, over a period of time, use of the communications service and initiation of financial transactions associated with an account;

determining the charges based upon a combination of use of the communications service and initiation of the financial transactions; and

when a monetary value of the financial transactions made within the period of time reaches a pre-established threshold, increasing at least some of the charges.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein only the charges for use of the communications service after the pre-established threshold is reached are increased.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein all charges associated with use of the communications service within the period of time are increased.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pre-established threshold is a first threshold, and the method further comprising the steps of establishing a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold, and, when a number of the financial transactions or a monetary value associated with the financial transactions reaches the second threshold, further increasing the charges associated with at least some use of the communications service within the period of time.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said method comprises a computer-implemented method, and wherein said monitoring use of a communications service comprises monitoring with a processor use of a wireless voice and data communications service, and wherein said monitoring initiation of financial transactions associated with an account comprises monitoring with a processor purchase transactions initiated with a mobile wireless communications device associated with said wireless communications service.

6. A system comprising:

a device for allowing a user to use a communications service and to initiate financial transactions with an account, wherein said communications service has charges corresponding to use of the communications service;

a memory for storing the account; and

a processor, wherein the processor monitors, over a period of time, use of the communications service and initiation of financial transactions associated with the account, determines the charges based upon a combination of use of the communications service and initiation of the financial transactions and, when a monetary value of the financial transactions made within the period of time reaches a pre-established threshold, increases at least some of the charges.

7. The system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said device comprises a mobile wireless communications device and said communications service comprises a wireless communications service, wherein said financial transactions comprise purchase transactions made with said mobile wireless communications device.

8. A method of determining a rate plan associated with usage of a communications service, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring, over a period of time, use of the communications service and making of financial transactions using an account associated with the communications service; and

adjusting the rate plan when an unpaid balance on the account reaches a pre-established threshold.

11. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said method comprises a computer-implemented method, and wherein said monitoring use of a communications service comprises monitoring with a processor use of a wireless voice and data communications service, and wherein said monitoring initiation of financial transactions associated with an account comprises monitoring with a processor purchase transactions initiated with a mobile wireless communications device associated with said wireless communications service.

9. A system comprising:

a device for allowing a user to use a communications service and to make a financial transaction with an account associated with the communications service, wherein said use of said communications service is according to a rate plan corresponding to the communications service;

a memory for storing the account; and

a processor, wherein said processor monitors, over a period of time, use of the communications service and making of financial transactions using the account associated with the communications service and adjusts the rate plan when an unpaid balance on the account reaches a pre-established threshold.

10. The system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said device comprises a mobile wireless communications device and said communications service comprises a wireless service, wherein said financial transactions comprise purchase transactions made with said mobile wireless communications device.