Calling card replenishment system

Abstract

A method and system of real-time replenishment and electronic confirmation of sale, such as a SMS text message, to a consumer responsive to purchase or referral of long distance calling minutes, including real-time replenishment of the customer's account, and seamless, pin-less use of the purchased long-distance from the user's chosen phone(s). A computer based server receives a phone number, monetary amount, and an indication of whether an increase or decrease to the balance is requested. Phone number is then compared with a stored list of registered phone numbers having a unique pin and a balance amount. The balance is increased or decreased by desired amount if comparison results in a match. If comparison does not result in a match a new pin is created associating the phone with the balance amount. A message is then sent containing an access number for use in pre-paid long distance calling.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13 / 622,420, entitled “Calling Card Replenishment System”, filed Sep. 19, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12 / 702,342, entitled, “Real-Time Replenishment with Electronic Confirmation of Sale of Prepaid Long Distance”, filed Feb. 9, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,295,805, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 248,965, entitled “Electronic Receipts and Real-Time Replenishment for Prepaid Long Distance Calling”, filed Oct. 6, 2009, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]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 ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention allows customers to purchase long distance calling minutes without needing a physical card. The invention provides an electronic receipt and allows customers to real-time replenish their accounts and use the purchased minutes seamlessly on their chosen phones, without needing a PIN. The invention also includes a method to dial the access number within the message. This helps customers to easily use the service without having to refer back to the receipt.

Problems solved by technology

First, text on the cards can be difficult to read and may wear off after constant contact with materials in a confined environment, such as a wallet or pocket.

A user may no longer be able to access their calling minutes if they cannot read the appropriate telephone number and PIN information.

Second, the process can be inconvenient for users to complete a call and add additional funds to an existing account.

Finally, use of a physical card can be expensive to produce, create inventory problems and increase shipping costs for distributors and retailers.

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.

While these methods provide solutions to problems associated with telecommunication issues occurring once a call is placed, they fail to address problems associated with confirmation of sale and replenishment concerns that existed in the prior art.

Presently, attempts to solve issues associated with confirmation of sale and replenishment concerns have failed to address some of the major issues.

Second, this method provides a one-time transaction with a customer.

Keeping track of the various receipts, PIN numbers and other information can become very tedious and time consuming for consumers.

Finally, this method lacks the ability to provide convenient incentive programs for existing consumers.

Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

Images