Methods for providing prepaid telephony service via an internet protocol network system
AssigneeMCI, Inc.
InventorSteven R. Donovan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods are disclosed for providing prepaid telephony service via an Internet protocol (IP) network system. A first method provides controlling at least one media agent or call routing station/switch of an IP network system for allowing and/or blocking call media streams from traversing through the media agent. A second method provides directing all signaling messages transmitted by a signaling agent or station and all media packets transmitting voice and data communications through at least one common device within the IP network system. The methods further provide for continuously monitoring a subscriber's account balance and terminating the prepaid telephony service if the account balance is less than a predetermined amount.
Claims17
A method for providing prepaid telephony service via an IP network system, comprising:
- receiving, via a PSTN telephone switch, a telephone number entered by a subscriber;
- determining if the telephone number matches a prepaid access telephone number,
- transmitting prepaid access instructions to the subscriber if the telephone number matches the prepaid access telephone number;
- determining if the account information is accurate and a corresponding account balance is greater than a predetermined amount;
- forwarding the telephone number to the originating IP telephony switch via an originating PSTN telephone switch if the account information is accurate and the corresponding account balance is greater than the predetermined amount;
- and
- setting up the prepaid call to the telephone number.
A system for providing prepaid telephony service via an IP network system comprising:
- means for receiving, via a PSTN telephone switch, a telephone number entered by a subscriber;
- means for determining if the telephone number matches a prepaid access telephone number;
- means for transmitting prepaid access instructions to the subscriber if the telephone number matches the prepaid access telephone number;
- means for determining if the account information is accurate and a corresponding account balance is greater than a predetermined amount;
- means for forwarding the telephone number to the originating IP telephony switch via an originating PSTN telephone switch if the account information is accurate and the corresponding account balance is greater than the predetermined amount;
- and
- means for setting up the prepaid call to the telephone number.
A method for providing prepaid telephony service via an IP network system, comprising:
- receiving a telephone number dialed by a subscriber;
- determining if the telephone number matches a prepaid access telephone number stored within an originating IP telephony switch;
- transmitting prepaid access instructions to the subscriber if the telephone number matches the prepaid access telephone number to continue placing a prepaid call by dialing at least a destination telephone number and account information;
- receiving via a PSTN telephone switch, the destination telephone number at the originating IP telephony switch, wherein the account information is determined to be accurate and the corresponding account balance is determined to be greater than the predetermined amount;
- and
- setting up the prepaid call to the destination telephone number via the IP network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.