76results about "Prepayment telephone using credit/debit cards" patented technology

A mobile communication terminal (the mobile station 100), served in a mobile communication network for performing wireless communications, comprises a transmitter-receiver 110, a controller 120, a user interface 130, a data input / output terminal 140, a magnetic writer 150, and a magnetic stripe 160. Control programs stored in a program ROM 122 include a program for controlling the magnetic writer such as writes or deletes various information into / from the magnetic stripe 160. In a credit card ROM 123 are stored information on the attributes of a credit card contract concluded in advance between a user and a credit card company. The magnetic writer 150 writes credit card contract information provided from the controller 120 to the magnetic stripe 160 or deletes the credit card contract information from the magnetic stripe 160.

A method and system for prepaying wireless telecommunications charges utilizes computer hardware and software including, for example, a user's mobile phone, a mobile operator's interactive voice response unit, a mobile payments interactive voice response unit, SMS, test messaging, email, ATM, kiosk, the Internet, and / or WAP or the like, a mobile payments engine, a mobile operator's prepaid billing system, a subscriber database, a payment gateway, and a transaction processing platform. The mobile payments engine receives information identifying a user's wireless telecommunication device via the mobile payments interactive voice response unit, passes the information to the mobile operator's billing system with a request for validation of a mobile account for the user, and if validation is received, the mobile payments engine receives financial source account and user identity verification information from the user, assigns a mobile personal identification number for the user, and arranges a credit from the source account to the user's mobile account.

A payment terminal using a mobile communication device (4), such as a mobile phone, is located on a removable memory card (1), e.g. type microSD card, which is adjusted in such a way so it can be inserted into an additional hardware slot, e.g. memory slot. A payment POS terminal application runs on a removable memory card (1), which contains at least one payment card. The payment card's unit (7) with the card's payment application is located in the secured part of the memory, separately from the terminal's configuration data unit (6). The configuration data of the terminal's selected identity and the payment card's data are located in the separate parts of the secure element or in completely independent secure elements or they can also be localized in the Sales Device of the merchant and there e.g. within the ICC card (29) or SAM card (42).

In a relationship in which a universal prepaid telecommunication services card issuer is different than a telecommunication services provider, a method and system for implementing a universal prepaid telecommunication services card (prepaid card), which can be used as a prepaid card for a plurality of services providers providing one or more telecommunication services. The method comprises a card issuer providing a prepaid card having a identification number associated with the prepaid card. Upon receiving a prepaid card activation request from a card seller or distributor, the card issuer activates the prepaid card. After the card is activated, the card issuer can receive a request to use the card from a user. The card issuer then receives from the user the identification number associated with the prepaid card and validates the identification number. Upon validation of the identification number, the card issuer receives from the user a service request for a particular service provider. The card issuer then communicates the service request to the particular service provider.

In a mobile communication network equipped with a wireless communication interface with a mobile communication terminal, when a need arises for disabling calling and card functions of a mobile communication terminal with a plurality of card information stored, there is provided a credit transaction system for permitting the process of disabling the calling and card functions of the mobile communication terminal, comprising a mobile station 100, a mobile telephone network 20, a mobile packet communication network 30, a CAT terminal 40a, 40b, . . . , the CAFIS network 50, acredit company's server 60A, 60B, and the Internet 70. Credit disablement flags are set in a control station 33, and the mobile station 100 receives a disabling signal from the control station 33 through a base station 31. The mobile station 100 subsequently deletes credit contract information stored in itself.

A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving voicemail with a calling card is presented. A calling card is implemented with at least two personal identification numbers (PINs). A calling-card platform prompts a calling-card user to enter a PIN number. If a first PIN number is entered, options are presented that enable the calling-card user to record a voice message greeting, record a voicemail, retrieve a voicemail left by a caller, complete a call, or access account information. If a second PIN number is entered, the call is switched to a voice-messaging platform. At the voice-messaging platform, the calling-card user is prompted to record a voicemail message for the calling-card owner.

A method, system and computer program product for prepayment of a service includes informing the user of the availability of a plurality of different services. An indication and request of a desired service is received from the user over a first communications link. The requested service is provided to the user over a second communications link. To indicate prepayment for the service requested an authentication key is received from the user. The validity of the authentication key received is verified and the service is provided if the authentication key is valid.

In a relationship in which a customer has obtained a prepaid telecommunication services credit from a universal prepaid telecommunication services credit issuer (202), the issuer being a different entity than a telecommunication services provider (204), the present invention provides a method and system for fulfilling an account of a customer (208) with the provider using a card (100) of prepaid credit, which can be used to obtain prepaid telecommunication services from the provider.

A credit card transaction system that is used for contracts for various electronic-commerce services comprises a mobile station 100, a mobile telephone network 20, a mobile packet communication network 30, a CAT 40a, 40b, . . . , a CAFIS network 50, a credit card company's server 60A, 60B, . . . , and the Internet 70. A request from the mobile station 100 for a credit card contract is transmitted to any one of the credit card company's server 60A, 60B, . . . through a gateway server 32; in a case where the contract is approved, credit card contract information is transmitted from any one of credit card company's server 60A, 60B, . . . to the mobile station 100 through the gateway server 32, the credit card contract information being stored in the mobile station 100.

An improved system for detecting and preventing telecommunications fraud prior to call connection, in which attempted calls are screened for fraud at the point of calling card validation in the SCP. The SCP accesses a database holding a variety of fraud decision nodes that may be interrelated and grouped together to cooperatively define fraud screening trees against which attempted calls may be tested. A fraud screening tree ultimately produces a fraud prediction based on a variety of information concerning the attempted call. The present invention therefore facilitates fraud screening with greater granularity and customization.

Method and system for refilling mobile terminal prepaid phone cards via electronic distribution of refill codes. Refill codes for prepaid phone cards are distributed to end users via a prepaid phone card distributor, which contracts with mobile phone operators and prepaid phone card retailers to distribute refill codes. End users enter identification and payment information to the refill code distributor, which then records the payment and returns a refill code to the end users. End users can purchase refill codes by mediums including a computer network and refill terminals located at retail shops.

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 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.

A system and method allows users to make purchases by charging or funding a prepaid debit card with their cell phone accounts by simulating a user roaming with their mobile device.

In a mobile communication network equipped with a wireless communication interface with a mobile communication terminal, when a need arises for disabling calling and card functions of a mobile communication terminal with a plurality of card information stored, there is provided a credit transaction system for permitting the process of disabling the calling and card functions of the mobile communication terminal, comprising a mobile station 100, a mobile telephone network 20, a mobile packet communication network 30, a CAT terminal 40a, 40b, . . . , the CAFIS network 50, a credit company's server 60A, 60B, and the Internet 70. Credit disablement flags are set in a control station 33, and the mobile station 100 receives a disabling signal from the control station 33 through a base station 31. The mobile station 100 subsequently deletes credit contract information stored in itself.

Short message system (SMS-MO) comprising switching arrangements (MSC) and servers (SMSC) at which the messages arrive in the form of messages “destined for a mobile” (SMS-MT). The sending mobile (SMS-MO) includes in the message the address of the server (SMSC) of its card (SIM). The system comprises a virtual server (SMSC-V) which is defined by its address (ADR-V) and is associated with an operator, a real server (SMSC-R) which is defined by its address (ADR-R), the address (ADR-V) of the virtual server (SMSC-V) being the only server address recorded on the operator's cards (SIM), the switching arrangement (MSC) contains an address translator for replacing the address of the virtual server (SMSC-V) with that of the real server (SMSC-R) to which the message (SMS-MO) will be routed, which real server handles the message and routes it to the intended receiver (MO′).

A novel virtual calling card system and method aid in the formation of online relationships, serving as an introduction tool and as a contact mechanism. The calling card is an exchangeable entity that is automatically updated, ensuring that the recipient or viewer sees the most current version of the card. The card may display an aspect ratio that is the same as that of a traditional business card, and has a front side and a reverse side. Furthermore, the card provides a number of avenues for the card owner to express themselves, including an array of affiliation symbols, a most recent mood symbol, and a text field. The reverse side of the card can display a representation of the owner's social network, so that the recipients of the card may identify common friends and associates. Thus, the server-based card exchange appears to users as an exchange in the physical world.

There is provided a prepaid system able to reduce inconvenience caused by issuing and using a large number of prepaid cards. A communication terminal purchases a prepaid number related to a predetermined amount of money by using a deposit of the communication terminal made in advance and managed by the prepaid system, and pays for its communication charge using the predetermined amount of money related to the prepaid number. Or, the communication terminal uses a prepaid count set in advance and managed by the prepaid system to pay for its communication charge before or after the communication made by the communication terminal. Or, the communication terminal assigns a part of its prepaid count managed by the prepaid system to other communication terminals to pay for their communication charges before or after the communications made by the other communication terminals.

The present invention is a method and apparatus for providing prepaid card service to customers for placing telephone calls without relying on a post-service billing model. A service management computer having access to a card database is connected to the network only by out-of-band connections. A voice response unit or a tone receiver and announcement player in the network are the voice interface with the customer and are provided at the originating switch in the network to eliminate multiple switches from the call path.

A method of providing charge information to a user of a mobile terminal (2), which information relates to an IP connection or connections being used by the user. The method comprises the steps of identifying the terminal (2) or the user to a charge control node (CCN) (10) located in a home network (1) of the terminal (2) or user and, for the duration of the IP connection(s), using the existing connection or one of the existing connections to transport a stream of charge information messages from the CCN (10) to the mobile terminal (2).

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing prepaid telecommunication services. More particularly, prepaid telephone calls can be made by users without entering any access code, if such calls are made from telephone numbers previously registered in the telecommunication system in connection with valid access codes. Prepaid telephone calls can also be made from non-registered telephone numbers after providing the telecommunication system with a valid access code.

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.

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.

An incoming communication processing system and method is disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. Specifically, the incoming communication processing system allows outside parties to initiate communications to residents of a controlled facility. The incoming communication processing system may work in conjunction with or separately from an outgoing communication processing system. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the incoming communication system in order to prevent improper use.

A time remaining determination module is implemented in a prepaid service to maintain and / or report subscriber account information based on accurately determined time remaining, even in light of replenishments using differing rate plans and / or dollar values. In particular, the inventive approach utilizes a reporting module which accurately accounts for and determines the total minutes remaining in a subscriber's account by accommodating and adjusting for each potentially different rate plan associated with each recharge or replenishment. This enables the service provider not only to accurately report the account balance in terms of time remaining at any convenient time (e.g., during the call process), but also to correctly manage the subscriber account and call duration.

A payment terminal using a mobile communication device (4), such as a mobile phone, is located on a removable memory card (1), e.g. a type microSD card, which is adjusted in such a way so it can be inserted into an additional hardware slot, e.g. memory slot. A payment POS terminal application runs on a removable memory card (1), which contains at least one payment card. The payment card's unit (7) with the card's payment application is located in the secured part of the memory, separately from the terminal's configuration data unit (6). The configuration data of the terminal's selected identity and the payment card's data are located in the separate parts of the secure element or in completely independent secure elements or they can also be localized in the Sales Device of the merchant and there e.g. within the ICC card (29) or SAM card (42).

A prepaid card management method and system which can comprehensively manage an issuance of personal identification numbers (PINs) of various affiliated prepaid card companies and even when each generation system of each PIN is different for each affiliated prepaid card company, can adaptably issue the PIN. A prepaid card management method and system according to the present invention can adaptably issue PINs of prepaid cards of various affiliated prepaid card companies by including an operation system to comprehensively manage a plurality of PIN issue systems.

A prepaid virtual calling card, specifically for providing users (consumers and business affiliates) with an on-line method and apparatus to create custom prepaid calling cards for immediate use and distribution, wherein the prepaid virtual calling card is created by: connecting a user via a communications network to at least one server; presenting the user with an applications supplied by the server for the issuance of the virtual calling card; submitting the application to the server; and issuing the virtual calling card.