Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M17/00—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems
  • H04M17/02—Coin-freed or check-freed systems, e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
  • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
  • G06Q20/14—Payment architectures specially adapted for billing systems
  • G06Q20/145—Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
  • G06Q20/22—Payment schemes or models
  • G06Q20/28—Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M17/00—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems
  • H04M17/10—Account details or usage
  • H04M17/103—Account details or usage using SIMs (USIMs) or calling cards
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M17/00—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems
  • H04M17/20—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M17/00—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems
  • H04M17/20—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
  • H04M17/204—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment on-line recharging, e.g. cashless

Definitions

• the invention relates to real-time replenishment of prepaid long distance accounts with electronic confirmation sent in response to a purchase or a referral of prepaid long distance calling.
• a calling card was a pre-paid card that allows a purchaser to purchase phone call minutes upfront and later redeem those minutes for use at a later time. Calling cards were first only available for making local calls. During the 1980's calling cards expanded in the United States to make international phone calls. International calling cards enable a buyer to purchase a card with usage rates, which are country specific.
• Non-magnetic based calling cards a user receives a "PIN", Personal Identification Number, as a means for identification. In order to make calls a user dials in an 800 number and enters his PIN to make long distance phone calls. This process revolutionized the phone card industry and helped catapult it into the large force it is today.
• Receipts have some advantages over use of cards such as cutting down on production and shipping costs. Retailers also have less inventory management that could potentially clog up space needed for sale of other products. Yet, the receipt method still has some of the same disadvantages as the card. Users still have to worry about being unable to access their accounts without the 800 number and PIN. In fact, users may "wear out” or lose track of the receipt easier than they would with a card. Once this information is lost the user will not be able to recover their account. Additionally, users still have to go through a prolonged process of entering PIN numbers whenever they want to make changes or use their account.
• Wick provides a method of automated distribution and indexing of prepaid calling card information comprising a central terminal operable to receive a request to purchase prepaid telephone services from an initiating terminal. A user may then decide to receive calling card information through a number of different messaging means. Calling card information contains a PIN number, access number, how much time has been purchased among other suitable information. While this method is a step in the right direction it falls flat on a number of important features that need to be addressed.
• customers receive calling card information containing the traditional calling card information. This information still requires users to dial an access number, enter a PIN associated with the phone number and keep track of the PIN number to prevent loss of prepaid long distance minutes. There exists a need for a receipt that enables a user to be able to use the access number without having to physically dial the access number and enter a PIN.
• this method provides a one-time transaction with a customer. Each time a user wishes to replenish their pre-paid minutes they will have to enter their contact information into a collection interface. Users will then receive a new receipt with a new PIN and access number associated with the latest transaction. Keeping track of the various receipts, PIN numbers and other information can become very tedious and time consuming for consumers.
• this method lacks the ability to provide convenient incentive programs for existing consumers. Specifically, users who have already purchased pre-paid calling minutes should be able to receive incentives for referring new users. Additionally, new users should be able to receive an incentive bonus associated with participation in pre-paid calling. Such an incentive program is only possible through a method that recognizes the difference between repeat and new customers.
• the present invention allows a customer to purchase long distance calling minutes without the need to physically take a calling card with the person to deem the minutes.
• the present invention includes a method and system of providing an electronic receipt to a consumer responsive to a purchase of long distance calling minutes, real-time replenishment of the customer's account, and seamless, PINIess use of the purchased long-distance from the user's chosen phone(s).
• the method of real-time replenishment with electronic confirmation in the sale of prepaid long distance includes receiving a phone number, a monetary amount, and an indication of whether the user would like to add funds to their balance or receive a refund. The phone number is compared to a stored list of registered phone numbers.
• Each of the registered phone numbers in the list has a unique PIN assigned to it.
• a customer's balance amount is also associated with the unique PIN and the registered phone number. If the comparison found no matching registered numbers in the stored list and if the customer indicated that he would like to add funds to his balance, then a new PIN is created (and associated with the phone number). If the customer indicated that he would like to add funds to his balance, then the balance amount for the account associated with phone number is increased by the monetary amount. If the customer indicated that he would like a refund, then the balance amount for the account associated with the phone number is decreased by the monetary amount. Then, a request having the phone number and a message to be sent to the phone number is sent to a server. The message sent to the phone number may include the access phone number, the monetary amount that was added or refunded, and/or the balance amount.
• a customer may dial the access number contained within the message by pressing or selecting a specified link relating to the access number. This prevents the customer from having to go through the arduous task of having to dial the access number while referring back to the receipt.
• the method may further include indicating an error message, which may be displayed to the customer. If the customer requests a refund and the refund results in the account balance being less than one cent, then the method may further include destroying the unique PIN associated with the phone number.
• the system of real-time replenishment with electronic confirmation in the sale of prepaid long distance includes a web portal operable to perform the method described above.
• the system may further include a server operable to receive the request from the web portal having the phone number and a message to be sent to the phone number, parse the request into a SMS text message comprising the phone number and a message to be sent to the phone number, and send the SMS text message to the mobile phone associated with the phone number.
• the method of real-time replenishment with electronic confirmation in the sale of prepaid long distance includes receiving a message having a PIN.
• the message will be associated with the phone number from which the message was sent.
• the method further includes determining if the PIN is valid, retrieving a monetary amount associated with the PIN, responsive to a determination that the PIN is valid, associating the monetary amount with the phone number, and sending a message to the phone number.
• Message may contain an access number, account balance and amount added. If it is determined that the PIN is not valid, then the method may further include sending a message indicating that the PIN is invalid.
• this invention provides a method of real-time replenishment with electronic confirmation in the referral of prepaid long distance calling.
• the method includes receiving a phone number and a referral phone number to a computer based server.
• the referred phone number is compared to a stored list of registered phone numbers.
• Each of the registered phone numbers in the list has a unique PIN assigned to it.
• a customer's balance amount is also associated with the unique PIN and registered phone number. If the comparison of the referral phone number to the list of registered phone numbers did not result in a match, a unique PIN is created (and associated with the phone number).
• a request having the referral phone number and a message to be sent to the referral phone number is sent to a server.
• the message may include the access phone number, the monetary amount added as an incentive for the referral and a balance amount.
• the phone number responsible for sending the referral phone number may also receive an incentive. This is dependent upon a comparison of the phone number with the list of registered phone numbers. If the comparison results in a match a request having the phone number and a message to be sent to the phone number is sent to a server.
• the message may include the access phone number, the monetary amount added as an incentive for referral and a balance amount of the customer's account.
• FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the method of real-time replenishment with electronic confirmation in the sale of prepaid long distance in accordance with an embodiment of the present in invention.
• FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of the functional interaction of the components used to provide SMS text receipts to cellular devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present in invention.
• FIG. 3 is a flowchart of another method of real-time replenishment with electronic confirmation in the sale of prepaid long distance in accordance with an embodiment of the present in invention.
• FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram of the functional interaction of the components used to receive and process a PIN from a customer and issue a SMS text receipt in accordance with an embodiment of the present in invention.
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method of receiving incentives for referrals in the sale of pre-paid long distance in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the present invention includes a method of real-time replenishment in the sale of prepaid long distance. After a transaction, including creation of a new account, adding funds to an existing account, or refunding all or a portion of an existing account, the customer's account will be updated in real-time, allowing the customer to use the minutes just after purchasing them.
• the method includes receiving a phone number, a monetary amount, and an indication of whether the customer would like to add funds to their balance or receive a refund to a computer based server (operation 105).
• the phone number is compared to a stored list of registered phone numbers (operation 1 10). Each of the registered phone numbers in the list has a unique PIN assigned to it.
• the customer's balance amount is also associated with the unique PIN and the registered phone number. If the comparison found no matching registered numbers in the stored list and if the customer indicated that he would like to add funds to his balance, then a new PIN is created (operation 1 15) (and associated with the phone number (operation 120)).
• the balance amount for the account associated with phone number is increased by the monetary amount (operation 125). If the customer indicated that he would like a refund, then the balance amount for the account associated with the phone number is decreased by the monetary amount (operation 130).
• One of the key features of this invention is that the customer does not have to enter a PIN to access their account. Instead, the information is stored on a computer based server so that the customer can simply indicate whether they wish to increase or decrease their account from their mobile device with no need to memorize numbers.
• a consumer may add funds to an existing account or establish a new account by including a pre-purchased PIN number in the information sent to the computer based server.
• a pre-purchased PIN may be any PIN associated with a company's services offered through traditional means, i.e., traditional calling cards and receipts bought in retail stores. The process for this embodiment is much the same as the method illustrated in FIG. 1 with the addition of receiving a pre-purchased PIN.
• the server will determine whether the pre-purchased PIN is valid. If the pre- purchased PIN is valid the monetary amount associated with the receipt will be added to the customer's account. If the PIN is invalid no money will be added and a customer may receive a notification indicating the invalidity.
• a customer may purchase prepaid long distance services and receive a PIN.
• the PIN may be a series of letters or numbers or a combination thereof.
• PIN may also be in the form of a promotional code.
• the customer then uses the phone that he/she wishes to register with the prepaid long distance service to send a message containing the pin to a number designated by the prepaid long distance service provider.
• the PIN is validated (operation 205) to ensure that the PIN exists and has a monetary value associated with it (i.e. the PIN has been paid for). If the PIN is invalid, a message is sent to the customer's phone number notifying the customer of the PIN's invalidity (operation 210). If the PIN is valid, the monetary amount associated with the PIN is retrieved (operation 215) and associated with the phone number (operation 220).
• a text receipt is then sent to the phone number (operation 225).
• the present invention also includes a method of providing a consumer with an electronic receipt of the customer's transaction when they purchase or recharge prepaid long distance.
• Electronic receipts are a feature added to a website that provides the ability to send a virtual receipt of the customer's transaction.
• An electronic message such as a SMS text message, imessage, email, or other messaging type is sent to a customer's mobile device to verify completion of transaction after a purchase or recharge of the prepaid long distance service.
• the electronic receipt contains detailed information on the amount the customer purchased or recharged and the access number for use of the service.
• This electronic receipt may be in one or more languages.
• the consumer may opt-out of receiving the electronic receipt or specify preferences in how to receive the electronic receipt.
• One of the key distinctions of the present invention is that a customer does not have to receive a PIN in the receipt because the PIN number is stored on a server and is associated with the customer's phone number. Another advantage associated with this method is that a customer receives a linked access number in the message.
• a retail store takes and processes payment for the consumer.
• the retail store sends payment to the provider of the prepaid long distance service.
• the website provides payment processing and the end user can order prepaid distance services directly using the website or a point of sale terminal, such as a kiosk located inside a retail store.
• the electronic receipts are SMS text messages that are requested by a web portal.
• the web portal is used by the consumer or another user, such as a convenience store clerk, to order long distance minutes or request a refund.
• An example of the functional interaction of the components used to provide SMS text receipts is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3.
• website 310 builds a message that the user of registered device 335 will read upon receiving the text message.
• Website 310 then calls an API method defined under Nitrogen Web Services Framework 315 to send the text message (operation 145 of FIG. 1 ).
• the Nitrogen API method is written in PHP and builds HTTP request 317 that is sent to a server hosting SMS gateway service 320.
• HTTP request 317 includes the text to be displayed, the phone number to send the text message to, and an Internet Protocol (IP) Address of the server where SMS gateway service 320 runs.
• SMS gateway service 320 is provided by an open source Kannel software package. SMS gateway service 320 is the link between SMS mobile providers and the Content Provider (the server in which SMS gateway service 120 runs). SMS gateway service 320 handles connections with SMS mobile providers and relays them onward in a unified form.
• SMS gateway service 320 receives HTTP request 317 from the Nitrogen API method, it parses the request and sends the information to GSM Network 325 for SMS text message delivery through mobile network 330 to registered device 325. It is noted that there other known methods and processes that can be used to send and receive SMS messages to and from mobile devices that may be utilized.
• the electronic receipt sent to the registered device may include any information pertinent to the transaction, including the monetary amount that was added to an account, the current balance of an account, and the access numbers that the customer must dial to use the service.
• Each electronic receipt may include the text in one or more languages.
• FIG. 4 shows an example of the functional interaction of the components used to receive and process a PIN from a customer and issue a SMS text receipt.
• a customer uses phone 400 to text a PIN to a designated phone number.
• the text message travels through cellular network 405 and is received at SMS Gateway 410.
• Real-time replenishment (RTR) API 415 determines the validity of the PIN and the monetary amount associated with the PIN, if any.
• RTR API 415 then communicates with NetIP Platform 420 and loads the user's phone number and the monetary amount.
• RTR API 415 then communicates with the SMS Gateway 410 to send a text receipt to the customer.
• the present invention also includes a method of providing customers and referrals from the customers with incentives. Incentives are provided through an electronic receipt containing an access number.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the steps for performing the method.
• the method includes receiving a phone number and a referral number to a computer based server (operation 502).
• Phone number is compared to a stored list of registered phone numbers (operation 504). Each of the registered phone numbers in the list has a unique PIN assigned to it and customer's balance amount.
• a determination is made whether the phone number is registered (operation 506). If the phone number is registered a determination is made whether the referral number is registered (operation 510). An error is indicated if the phone number is not registered (operation 508).
• a referral phone number is registered it is compared to a stored list of registered phone numbers (510).
• the method can involve going straight to determining whether the referral phone number is registered (operation 510). If the comparison found no matching registered numbers in the stored list, then a new PIN is created (operation 512) (and associated with the referral phone number (operation 514)). Once the account is created a pre-determined monetary amount is added to the referral phone number (operation 516). The pre-determined monetary amount can range depending on current marketing incentives. In an alternative embodiment the consumer who inputs the referral phone number may receive incentives.
• An electronic message such as a SMS text message, imessage, email, or other messaging type is sent to the referral phone number's mobile device to verify completion of referral (operation 520).
• a message may be sent to the phone number that referred the referral number.
• the electronic receipt contains information on the amount the customer received and the access number for use of the service.
• the computer readable medium described in the claims below may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium.
• a computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
• a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
• a computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof.
• a computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
• Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wire-line, optical fiber cable, radio frequency, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
• Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, C#, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages.
• These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
• the computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
• Access Phone Number an access number is the number long distance calling consumers dial in order to access the system and use calling minutes or money associated with their account.
• Account refers to a personal business relationship established to provide for regular services, dealings and other financial transactions.
• Computer based server a computer hardware system dedicated to running one or more services. Services can vary from database server, file server, mail server, print server, web server, or various other types services achieved through a computer program.
• Destroy to permanently remove or delete.
• Message generally means an object of communication or vessel which provides information.
• Monetary amount an amount of material worth.
• Phone number string of numbers that associates a particular set of numbers with a particular phone or cell phone.
• the string of numbers can be used by someone to dial or reach another telephone, cell phone or other electronic device associated with the specific string of numbers dialed.
• PIN stands for personal identification number. Generally, a pin is a series of numbers and letters that are used to identify or associated with a specific entity or subject.
• Pre-paid long distance calling process of an individual exchanging money or payment upfront to make long distance phone calls in the future.
• Long distance phone calls can be local or international.
• Pre-purchased to acquire through purchase.
• Registered phone number a phone number in a stored list or record.
• Referral act of referring someone or something. To direct the attention of someone to something or someone.
• SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is the text communication component of phone, web, or mobile communications systems that allows users to send and receive short messages between fixed line or mobile devices. Currently, SMS text messaging is the most widely used data application in the world for mobile phone subscribers.
• Web portal a site on the World Wide Web that brings information from diverse sources in a unified way.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
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Citations (5)

• 2013
  • 2013-09-16 WO PCT/US2013/059908 patent/WO2014046997A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2013-09-17 AU AU2013231011A patent/AU2013231011A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (5)

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