US 6,393,269 B1 · Signaling system and method for network-based pre-paid wireless telephone service

Abstract

A pre-paid subscriber account system for use with wireless telephone systems is disclosed. The system, which monitors a subscriber's call, deducts the cost of the call from the subscriber's pre-paid account in real-time, warns the subscriber during a call when the account is nearing depletion, and terminates the call when the account is depleted. The system can also prevent the initiation of a new call when the account is depleted. Various options can also apply different charging rates, can charge only when specified criteria are met, or can charge only for calls to/from specified areas or telephone numbers. The system and method uses signaling techniques that will allow the metering or billing of the call, along with any authorization or restrictions, to be done remotely from the actual switching of the call. Call events or chargeable events are transmitted to the pre-paid control system while the communications path of the call is held at the switching system awaiting control information. The identity of the pre-paid service subscriber is established using existing devices that currently are used to authenticate the user. The wireless phone user does not have to enter any additional codes or identification to obtain -access to the pre-paid service.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method for using intelligent network triggers to monitor calls associated with subscribers in a wireless intelligent network, wherein the subscribers communicate with Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs) in the wireless intelligent network, and wherein the subscribers are associated with a call monitoring module, the method comprising:

registering a subscriber with an MSC, wherein, as part of the registration process, the MSC identifies a Home Location Register and at least one call monitoring module associated with the subscriber;
sending a first command to the call monitoring module when the subscriber has initiated a call;
connecting the subscriber to a called party using the dialed digits;
sending a second command to the call monitoring module when the called party answers;
and
sending a third command to the call monitoring module when the connection between the subscriber and the called party is disconnected;
wherein, following the second command, the call monitoring module performs the steps of:
monitoring an account balance for the subscriber;
and
periodically requesting status information from the MSC regarding the connection between the subscriber and the called party.

7 more elements

registering a subscriber with an MSC, wherein, as part of the registration process, the MSC identifies a Home Location Register and at least one call monitoring module associated with the subscriber;
connecting the subscriber to a called party using the dialed digits;
sending a command from the MSC to the call monitoring module when the called party answers;
monitoring, by the call monitoring module, of an account balance for the subscriber during the course of a call connection between the subscriber and the called party;
periodically requesting status information from the MSC regarding the connection between the subscriber and the called party;
and
terminating the account balance monitoring when the MSC indicates that the called party has disconnected from the connection.

4 more elements

A system for monitoring the running cost of calls for a wireless telephone subscriber that is in communication with a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) in a wireless network, comprising:

a call monitoring module resident on a Service Control Point that is separate from the MSC;
means for sending a first signaling message to the call monitoring module when the subscriber initiate an outgoing call, wherein the call monitoring module is capable of temporarily connecting an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit to the subscriber for the purpose of playing announcements to the subscriber;
means for sending a second signaling message to the call monitoring module when the outgoing call has been connected to a called party, wherein said second signaling message causes the call monitoring module to monitor the running cost of the call and to adjust a subscriber account balance based upon the running cost of the call;
means for receiving status requests from the call monitoring module regarding the status of the connection between the subscriber and the called party;
and
means for sending a third signaling message to the call monitoring module when the MSC indicates that the call has been disconnected.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Signaling system and method for network-based pre-paid wireless telephone service

Life of this patent

Signaling system and method for network-based pre-paid wireless telephone service

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16