33results about "Prepayment with automatic account/card recharging" patented technology

Location-based subscriber identity update in a wireless user equipment (UE) device. A location of the UE may be determined. An indication of a plurality of network connectivity options may be provided via a user interface. The plurality of network connectivity options may be provided based on the location of the UE. User input selecting a network connectivity option may be received via the user interface. The UE may be configured according to the selected network connectivity option in response to the user input.

A transaction processing platform capable of facilitating the distribution to consumers of various types of prepaid products is disclosed. The transaction processing platform is configured to interface with one or more providers of such prepaid products in order to facilitate the procurement or activation of the products. The platform includes a conduit interface through which service request messages are received and respectively utilized to generate transaction requests for corresponding types of prepaid services. A supply interface arrangement, operatively coupled to the conduit interface, is configured to route a first of the transaction requests through a first supply interface associated with a first type of prepaid service. The supply interface arrangement also routes a second transaction request through a second supply interface associated with a second type of prepaid service. The platform is also configured to provide supplier response information received through the supply interfaces to the conduit interface.

The present invention relates in general to the field of voice and data communications, and in particular, to a novel system for providing interoperable on-demand communications and services across otherwise incompatible narrowband voice and broadband systems. The system is also based on sponsored or universal communications services supported by interactive communications between sponsors and service providers and their respective databases of business rules.

A transaction processing platform capable of facilitating the distribution to consumers of various types of prepaid products is disclosed. The transaction processing platform is configured to interface with one or more providers of such prepaid products in order to facilitate the procurement or activation of the products. The platform includes a conduit interface through which service request messages are received and respectively utilized to generate transaction requests for corresponding types of prepaid services. A supply interface arrangement, operatively coupled to the conduit interface, is configured to route a first of the transaction requests through a first supply interface associated with a first type of prepaid service. The supply interface arrangement also routes a second transaction request through a second supply interface associated with a second type of prepaid service. The platform is also configured to provide supplier response information received through the supply interfaces to the conduit interface.

An automatic refill system for pre-paid accounts provides enhanced funding flexibility for customers and additional revenue streams for a telecommunication service provider. The automatic refill system solves the technical challenges involved with implementing a scheduled refill channel co-existing with a triggered refill channel for funding a pre-paid account. The scheduled channel regularly refills the pre-paid account. The telecommunication service provider also coordinates funding through a triggered refill channel that refills the pre-paid account when specific conditions are met, such as account balance falling below a threshold.

A system and method for obtaining a personal identification number (PIN) from a client terminal is disclosed herein. The method includes storing, at the client terminal, PINs for plural prepaid services. The method also includes receiving, at the client terminal, a request for a PIN associated with a desired prepaid service corresponding to one of the plural prepaid services. A PIN request is then sent, from the client terminal, to a server when less than a predefined number of PINs associated with the desired prepaid service are stored at the client terminal. In response, one or more PINs associated with the desired prepaid service are received at the client terminal. The method further includes dispensing at least one PIN corresponding to the desired prepaid service from the client terminal.

This invention relates to an enhanced method and apparatus for providing notification to a telecommunications customer using prepaid service that his / her prepaid balance is below a pre-specified threshold. The number of notifications is limited to a specified number within a specified interval. Advantageously, the customer is spared the nuisance o receiving multiple notifications when he / she is already aware of the problem.

The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing access to a voice mailbox associated with a pre-paid mobile phone subscriber's account after the expiration of the subscriber's credits. A call processing system may be configured to receive a call from a calling party and to connect the call to a voice mailbox system. The call processing system may allow the calling party to record a voice message that can subsequently be accessed by the subscriber for an access fee. The call processing center may also be configured to allow the calling party to add credit to the subscriber's account. Access fees are paid and credits are added to the account by way of pre-paid calling cards, smart cards, credit cards, debit cards, electronic fund transfers.

A system and method are described whereby interoperability is facilitated in a 3GPP network environment in combination with DIAMETER policy controls. Such interoperability enables updated policy rules to be fully communicated in on-line charging situations where quota expirations occur. This invention maintains centralized policy control in a 3GPP network with on-line charging.

The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing access to a voice mailbox associated with a pre-paid mobile phone subscriber's account after the expiration of the subscriber's credits. A call processing system may be configured to receive a call from a calling party and to connect the call to a voice mailbox system. The call processing system may allow the calling party to record a voice message that can subsequently be accessed by the subscriber for an access fee. The call processing center may also be configured to allow the calling party to add credit to the subscriber's account. Access fees are paid and credits are added to the account by way of pre-paid calling cards, smart cards, credit cards, debit cards, electronic fund transfers.

Location-based subscriber identity update in a wireless user equipment (UE) device. A location of the UE may be determined. An indication of a plurality of network connectivity options may be provided via a user interface. The plurality of network connectivity options may be provided based on the location of the UE. User input selecting a network connectivity option may be received via the user interface. The UE may be configured according to the selected network connectivity option in response to the user input.

The present invention comprises a system and method for providing a personal identification number (PIN) to a client terminal over a computer network. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a host connection manager receives a request for a PIN, which is associated with a particular monetary value. The host connection manager transmits the request for the PIN to a server, and the host connection manager receives the PIN from the server. In addition, the host connection manager is adapted to receive a client request indicative of the particular monetary value. The client request is generated at the client terminal and is transmitted from the client terminal to the host connection manager. In response to the client request, the host connection manager sends the PIN associated with the particular monetary value to the client terminal.

This invention relates to an enhanced method and apparatus for providing notification to a telecommunications customer using prepaid service that his / her prepaid balance is below a pre-specified threshold. The number of notifications is limited to a specified number within a specified interval. Advantageously, the customer is spared the nuisance o receiving multiple notifications when he / she is already aware of the problem.

A communications system including at least one user device, configured to access a plurality of services in a session. An information store stores information defining an amount of money for the user device. A controller requests at least a portion of the amount of money to be reserved and controls the allocation of the reserved portion of money between the plurality of services.

The invention discloses a on-line charging method comprising: determining insufficiency of network resource remaining quota of prepaid user; transmitting message carrying on-line charging indication information to prepaid client equipment; the on-line charging indication information comprising a redirecting rule for redirecting a service flow to charging service equipment; after the prepaid client equipment receiving the message carrying on-line charging indication information, then redirecting the service flow to charging service equipment to complement on-line charging. Accordingly, the invention also discloses on-line charging system and equipment. The invention enables the prepaid client equipment to use a service flow to complete charging for prepaid user without interrupting other service of the prepaid user, thus improving user experience.

Methods are disclosed for providing prepaid telephony service via an Internet protocol (IP) network system. A first method provides controlling at least one media agent or call routing station / switch of an IP network system for allowing and / or blocking call media streams from traversing through the media agent. A second method provides directing all signaling messages transmitted by a signaling agent or station and all media packets transmitting voice and data communications through at least one common device within the IP network system. The methods further provide for continuously monitoring a subscriber's account balance and terminating the prepaid telephony service if the account balance is less than a predetermined amount

A method for managing prepaid accounts. A prepaid account is established for an account holder who deposits funds finto the account. A virtual account number is issued for the prepaid account. The virtual account number is compatible with a standardized credit transaction system. Use of the virtual account number is limited to transactions placed over the Internet and to transactions between the prepaid account and another prepaid account. A physical credit card for the prepaid account may also be issued to the account holder. Such a credit card has a card account number which is different than the virtual account number. The card account number is also compatible with the standardized credit transaction system. The card account number may also include use limitations.