Prepaid wireless system and method
OwnerGary Davidson, Gary Fordinventors
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Abstract
A system and method for providing prepaid wireless services. One embodiment includes a mobile unit configured to maintain an amount of time units for which the mobile unit is authorized to utilize wireless services. The amount of time units is preferably prepaid for by the customer. The mobile unit prevents utilization of wireless services upon the expiration of the amount of prepaid time units. Furthermore, it is preferred that a prepaid application server receive notification from the wireless service provider of the use of time units by the mobile unit. In this manner, the prepaid application server may monitor the availability of time units and prevent fraudulent use when the amount of prepaid time units expire.
Claims32
A mobile unit comprising memory and a storage medium, wherein the storage medium includes computer program code configured to perform the steps:
- retrieving from memory an available amount of time that the mobile unit is authorized to utilize wireless services with the mobile unit;
- allowing the mobile unit to utilize wireless services for a first time period, the first time period being less than or equal to the available amount;
- and
- deducting the first time period from the available amount.
A mobile unit comprising memory and a storage medium, wherein the storage medium includes computer program code configured to perform the steps:
- storing in memory a first amount of flat-rate time units that the mobile unit is pre-authorized to utilize;
- receiving a first indication that a user is attempting to utilize the mobile unit to connect to a wireless service provider;
- retrieving the first amount of flat-rate time units from memory;
- determining whether the first amount of flat-rate time units is above a first limit;
- and
- upon determining the first amount of flat-rate time units is above the first limit, allowing the mobile unit to connect to the wireless service provider.
A mobile unit comprising memory and a storage medium, wherein the storage medium includes computer program code configured to perform the steps:
- retrieving from memory a first amount of flat-rate minutes that the mobile unit is pre-authorized to utilize wireless services;
- monitoring a first time period that the mobile unit utilizes wireless services;
- and
- causing wireless services to be discontinued when the first time period is greater than or equal to the first amount of flat-rate minutes.
A prepaid application system having a storage medium, the storage medium including computer program code configured to perform the steps of:
- receiving an indication that a user of a mobile device has prepaid for a first amount of flat-rate minutes of wireless services;
- and
- notifying the mobile unit that the mobile unit is authorized to utilize the first amount of flat-rate minutes of wireless services.
A prepaid application system having a storage medium, the storage medium including computer program code configured to perform the steps of:
- receiving an indication that a mobile unit has utilized a first amount of time of wireless services;
- determining whether the first amount of time is greater than or equal to a prepaid amount of flat-rate time;
- and
- deactivating the mobile unit if the first amount of time is greater than or equal to the prepaid amount of flat-rate time.
A prepaid application system having a storage medium, the storage medium including computer program code configured to perform the steps of:
- receiving an indication that a user of a mobile device has prepaid for wireless services;
- and
- notifying a plurality of wireless service providers that the mobile device is authorized to utilize the wireless service provider.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.