United States Patent 6,157,823
Fougnies , et al. December 5, 2000
Security cellular telecommunications system
Abstract
A cellular telecommunications system having a security feature which allows only
pre-authorized users to complete cellular telephone calls. The system and method
recognizes a cellular radiotelephone's pre-programmed a pre-selected telephone
number and a automated number identification code (ANI). The pre-selected
telephone number is reserved to the pre-paid cellular telecommunications system.
The cellular radiotelephone transmits the ANI and a dialed number identification
system code (DNIS) to a cellular switch, which contacts a host computer for call
validation by the pre-paid service provider.
Inventors: Fougnies; Douglas V. (Tempe, AZ); Harned; Dan B. (Tempe, AZ)
Assignee: Freedom Wireless, Inc. (Las Vegas, NV)
Appl. No.: 009199
Filed: January 20, 1998
Current U.S. Class:455/406; 455/408; 455/415; 379/114; 379/127
Intern'l Class: H04M 011/00
Field of Search: 455/403,405,406,407,408,409,410,411,426
379/112,113,114,120,121,127,128,144,130 380/247,248,271 235/380,382,382.5
References Cited [Referenced By]
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Other References
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Billing World, Mar. 1997, pp. 14-17.
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pamphlet, undated.
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Report and Forecast 1997-2002," sales literature, undated.
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Primary Examiner: Maung; Nay
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fish & Richardson PC
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/364,479, filed Dec. 23, 1994,
now US. Pat. No. 5,722,067 of DOUGLAS V. FOUGNIES and DAN B. HARNED, for a
"SECURITY CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM".
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of completing pre-paid wireless telephone calls to a subscriber, the
subscriber having a prepaid subscriber account balance stored in a database,
where the prepaid subscriber account balance is associated with a predetermined
wireless telephone number assigned to the subscriber, comprising:
receiving the subscriber's wireless telephone number at a wireless switch, the
telephone number corresponding to a wireless telecommunications event initiated
by a party calling the subscriber's wireless telephone number, the wireless
switch recognizing the subscriber's wireless telephone number as being
associated with the subscriber;
communicating between a computer with access to the database and the wireless
switch;
validating existence of a pre-determined subscriber account balance in the
database; and
if the validating step is successful, completing a call.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising:
checking for a connection with the subscriber's wireless telephone, and
periodically validating a call based on the balance associated with the account
during the telecommunications event until the call is terminated.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the call is terminated due to validation being
unsuccessful.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the call is terminated by a party to the call.
5. The method of claim 1 comprising:
checking for a connection with the subscriber's wireless telephone; and
causing the call to be terminated when a time limit based on the account balance
is expired.
6. A method of wireless telecommunications with respect to a subscriber, the
subscriber having a prepaid subscriber account balance stored in a database,
where the prepaid subscriber account balance is associated with a predetermined
wireless telephone number assigned to the subscriber, comprising:
receiving an identifier associated with the subscriber at a wireless switch, the
wireless switch recognizing the identifier as being associated with a pre-paid
subscriber for whom a wireless telecommunications event has been initiated by a
party calling the subscriber's wireless telephone number;
communicating between a computer with access to the database and the wireless
switch;
attempting to establish a connection between the wireless switch and the
subscriber's wireless telephone;
checking for a connection with the subscriber'wireless telephone, and
periodically validating a call based on the balance associated with the account
during the telecommunications event until the call is terminated.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the call is terminated due to validation being
unsuccessful.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the call is terminated by a party to the call.
9. A method of completing wireless telephone call requests to a subscriber to a
pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:
receiving at a wireless switch an identifier corresponding to a pre-paid
wireless subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed;
forwarding the identifier to a pre-paid wireless service provider associated
with the pre-paid wireless subscriber that validates an account associated with
the pre-paid wireless subscriber based on the forwarded identifier, and if the
validation is successful, passes the identifier to a wireless switch and causes
the call to be completed, performs periodic real-time validation of the account
while the call is in progress, and causes the call to be interrupted while the
call is in progress if the periodic validation fails.
10. A method of completing wireless telephone call requests to a subscriber to a
pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:
receiving at a wireless switch an identifier corresponding to a pre-paid
wireless subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed;
at a pre-paid wireless service provider associated with a pre-paid wireless
subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed, receiving from a
telecommunications service an identifier corresponding to the pre-paid wireless
subscriber;
validating an account associated with the pre-paid wireless subscriber based on
the forwarded identifier;
if the validation is successful, passing the identifier to a wireless switch and
causing the call to be completed;
performing periodic real-time validation of the account while the call is in
progress; and
causing the call to be interrupted while the call is in progress if the periodic
validation fails.
11. A method of wireless telecommunications with respect to a subscriber, the
subscriber having a prepaid subscriber account balance stored in a database
where the prepaid subscriber account balance is associated with a predetermined
wireless telephone number assigned to the subscriber, comprising:
receiving an identifier associated with the subscriber at a wireless switch, the
wireless switch recognizing the identifier as being associated with a pre-paid
subscriber for whom a wireless telecommunications event has been initiated by a
party calling the subscriber's wireless telephone number;
communicating between a computer with access to the database and the wireless
switch;
attempting to establish a connection between the wireless switch and the
subscriber's wireless telephone;
checking for a connection with the subscriber's wireless telephone, and causing
a call to be terminated when a time limit based on the account balance is
expired.
12. The method of claim 11 comprising:
identifying at least one cost variable associated with the call;
determining a rate associated with a fixed interval of time based on the cost
variable; and
converting the account balance to a maximum call length based on the account
balance and based on the rate.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the cost variable is time of day.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the cost variable is a destination of the
pre-paid wireless call.
15. A method of completing wireless telephone call requests to a subscriber to a
pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:
receiving at a wireless switch an identifier corresponding to a pre-paid
wireless subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed;
forwarding the identifier to a pre-paid wireless service provider associated
with the pre-paid wireless subscriber that validates an account associated with
the pre-paid wireless subscriber based on the forwarded identifier, and if the
validation is successful, passes the identifier to a wireless switch, causes the
call to be completed, sets a time limit based on the account balance, and causes
the call to be terminated when the time limit is expired.
16. A method of completing wireless telephone call requests to a subscriber to a
pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:
receiving at a wireless switch an identifier corresponding to a pre-paid
wireless subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed;
at a pre-paid wireless service provider associated with a pre-paid wireless
subscriber to whom a wireless telephone call is directed, receiving from a
telecommunications service an identifier corresponding to the pre-paid wireless
subscriber;
validating an account associated with the pre-paid wireless subscriber based on
the forwarded identifier; and
if the validation is successful, passing the identifier to a wireless switch and
causing the call to be completed; and
causing the call to be terminated when a time limit based on the account balance
is expired.
17. A system for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:
a wireless switch at which a wireless call request is received; and
a pre-paid wireless service provider, in communication with the wireless switch,
that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in
the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom
the call request is directed;
wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the
wireless call request by validating in real time an account associated with the
identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and
wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless service provider
occurs periodically during a call and the call is caused to be terminated if
validation is unsuccessful.
18. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:
receiving a wireless call request at a wireless switch; and
communicating between the wireless switch and a pre-paid wireless service
provider that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on
information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless
subscriber to whom the call request is directed; wherein the pre-paid wireless
service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating
in real time an account associated with the identified pre-paid wireless
subscriber; and wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless
service provider occurs periodically during a call and the call is caused to be
terminated if validation is unsuccessful.
19. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:
at a pre-paid wireless service provider, communicating with a wireless switch at
which a wireless call request is received, and selectively authorizing the
wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that
identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the call request is directed;
wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the
wireless call request by validating in real time an account associated with the
identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and
wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless service provider
occurs periodically during a call and the call is caused to be terminated if
validation is unsuccessful.
20. A system for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:
a wireless switch at which a wireless call request is received; and
a pre-paid wireless service provider, in communication with the wireless switch,
that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in
the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom
to call request is directed;
wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the
wireless call request by validating in real time an account associated with the
identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and
wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless service provider
includes causing a call is caused to be terminated when a time limit based on a
balance in the account is expired.
21. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:
receiving a wireless call request at a wireless switch; and
communicating between the wireless switch and a pre-paid wireless service
provider that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on
information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless
subscriber to whom the call request is directed; wherein the pre-paid wireless
service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating
in real time an account associated with the identified pre-paid wireless
subscriber; and wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless
service provider includes causing a call to be terminated when a time limit
based on a balance in the account is expired.
22. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:
at a pre-paid wireless service provider, communicating with a wireless switch at
which a wireless call request is received, and selectively authorizing the
wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that
identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the call request is directed;
wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the
wireless call request by validating in real time an account associated with the
identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and
wherein validation of an account by the pre-paid wireless service provider
includes causing a call to be terminated when a time limit based on a balance in
the account is expired.
23. A system for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:
a wireless switch at which a wireless call request is received; and
a pre-paid wireless service provider, in communication with the wireless switch,
that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in
the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom
the wireless call request is directed;
wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the
wireless call request by validating in real time an account balance associated
with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and
wherein validation of the account balance by the pre-paid wireless service
provider occurs prior to a call being authorized.
24. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:
receiving a wireless call request at a wireless switch; and
communicating between the wireless switch and a pre-paid wireless service
provider that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on
information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless
subscriber to whom the call request is directed; wherein the pre-paid wireless
service provider selectively authorizes the wireless call request by validating
in real time an account balance associated with the identified pre-paid wireless
subscriber; and wherein validation of the account balance by the pre-paid
wireless service provider occurs prior to a call being authorized.
25. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:
at pre-paid wireless service provider, communicating with a wireless switch at
which a wireless call request is received, and selectively authorizing the
wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that
identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom the call request is directed;
wherein the pre-paid wireless service provider selectively authorizes the
wireless call request by validating in real time an account balance associated
with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber; and
wherein validation of the account balance by the pre-paid wireless service
provider occurs prior to a call being authorized.
26. A system for managing pre-paid wireless communications comprising:
a wireless switch at which is received a wireless call request;
a pre-paid wireless service provider, in communication with the wireless switch,
that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on information in
the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless subscriber to whom
the wireless call request is directed; and
a database of pre-paid wireless subscribers, comprising account information for
the pre-paid wireless subscribers, that is accessed by the pre-paid wireless
service provider to decide whether to authorize the wireless call request;
the pre-paid wireless service provider's selective authorization of the wireless
call request being based on a real-time validation of an account balance
associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber.
27. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:
receiving a wireless call request at a wireless switch; and
communicating between the wireless switch and a pre-paid wireless service
provider that selectively authorizes the wireless call request based on
information in the wireless call request that identifies a pre-paid wireless
subscriber to whom the call request is directed, and that accesses a database of
pre-paid wireless subscribers, comprising account information for the pre-paid
wireless subscribers, in order to decide whether to authorize the wireless call
request, the pre-paid wireless service provider's selective authorization of the
wireless call request being based on a real-time validation of an account
balance associated with the identified pre-paid wireless subscriber.
28. A method for managing pre-paid wireless communications, comprising:
at a pre-paid wireless service provider, communicating with a wireless switch at
which a wireless call request is received, and selectively authorizing the
wireless call request based on information in the wireless call request that
identifies a subscriber to whom the call request is directed; and
accessing a database of pre-paid wireless subscribers, comprising account
information for the pre-paid wireless subscribers, in order to decide whether to
authorize the wireless call request, the pre-paid wireless service provider's
selective authorization of the wireless call request being based on a real-time
validation of the of an account balance associated with the identified pre-paid
wireless subscriber.
29. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service, the method comprising:
identifying an originator of a wireless telephone call as a subscriber to a
pre-paid wireless telephone service;
causing the call to be connected to a pre-paid switching system; and
a wireless switch sending an identifier associated with the destination of the
call and an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of the originator of
the call to the pre-paid switching system that validates the balance in the
account of the originator of the call, causes the call to be connected to the
destination, sets a time limit based on the account balance, and causes the call
to be terminated when the time limit is expired.
30. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service, the method comprising:
at a pre-paid switching system, receiving from a wireless switch an identifier
associated with a destination of a wireless telephone call, and an identifier
associated with a pre-paid account of an originator of the call, the originator
of the call being identified as being a subscriber to the pre-paid wireless
telephone service;
validating the balance in the account of the originator of the call;
causing the call to be connected to the destination; and
periodically validating the call based on the balance associated with the
account and causing the call to be terminated if validation is unsuccessful.
31. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service, the method comprising:
at a pre-paid switching system, receiving from a wireless switch an identifier
associated with a destination of a wireless telephone call, and an identifier
associated with a pre-paid account of an originator of the call, the originator
of the call being identified as being a subscriber to the pre-paid wireless
telephone service;
validating the balance in the account of the originator of the call;
causing the call to be connected to the destination; and
causing the call to be terminated when a time limit based on the balance in the
account is expired.
32. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service, the method comprising:
identifying an originator of a wireless telephone call as a subscriber to a
pre-paid wireless telephone service;
causing the call to be connected to a pre-paid switching system; and
sending an identifier associated with the destination of the call and an
identifier associated with a pre-paid account of the originator of the call to
the pre-paid switching system that validates the balance in the account of the
originator of the call, causes the call to be connected to the destination, and
periodically validates the call based on the balance associated with the account
and terminates the call if validation is unsuccessful;
wherein the identifier associated with the pre-paid account is an electronic
serial number.
33. A system for providing pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:
(a) a database of information pertaining to subscribers to the pre-paid wireless
telephone service;
(b) a computer with access to the database of information pertaining to
subscribers to the pre-paid wireless telephone service, which computer receives,
from a wireless switch, an identifier associated with a destination of a
wireless telephone call, and an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of
an originator of the call, the originator of the call being identified as being
a subscriber to the pre-paid wireless telephone service;
(c) a computer that receives information from the wireless switch and that:
(i) validates a balance in the pre-paid account of the originator of the call;
(ii) causes the call to be connected to the destination;
(iii) periodically validates the call based on the balance associated with the
account; and
(iv) causes the call to be terminated if validation is unsuccessful.
34. A system for providing pre-paid wireless telephone service, comprising:
(a) a database of information pertaining to subscribers to the pre-paid wireless
telephone service;
(b) a computer with access to the database of information pertaining to
subscribers to the pre-paid wireless telephone service, which computer receives,
from a wireless switch, an identifier associated with a destination of a
wireless telephone call, and an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of
an originator of the call, the originator of the call being identified as being
a subscriber to the pre-paid wireless telephone service;
(c) a computer that receives information from the wireless switch and that:
(i) validates a balance in the pre-paid account of the originator of the call;
(ii) causes the call to be connected to the destination;
(iii) sets a time limit based on the account balance; and
(iv) causes the call to be terminated when the time limit is expired.
35. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service comprising:
receiving an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of an originator of a
call at a wireless switch;
at the wireless switch, determining whether the identifier is associated with a
pre-paid account; and
if the identifier is associated with a pre-paid account, communicating with a
pre-paid service provider and causing the identifier associated with the
pre-paid account and an identifier associated with a destination of the call to
be sent to the pre-paid service provider.
36. A method as set forth in claim 35 and including:
at the pre-paid service provider, validating the call based on the balance
associated with the account;
causing the call to be completed; and
periodically validating the call based on the balance associated with the
account and causing the call to be terminated if validation is unsuccessful.
37. The method as set forth in claim 36 wherein the step of periodically
validating the call continues until the call is terminated or the balance in the
account reaches a predetermined amount.
38. The method as set forth in claim 36 including terminating the call when the
balance in the account reaches a predetermined amount.
39. The method of claim 35 comprising:
at the pre-paid service provider, validating the call based on the balance
associated with the account;
causing the call to be completed; and
causing the call to be terminated when a time limit based on the account balance
is expired.
40. The method as set forth in claim 35 wherein the step of determining whether
the identifier is associated with a pre-paid account comprises accessing a
database remote from the pre-paid service provider and comparing the identifier
with numbers stored in the database.
41. The method as set forth in claim 40 wherein the accessing step includes
sharing access to the database with other pre-paid service providers.
42. A method for pre-paid wireless telephone service, the method comprising:
identifying an originator of a wireless telephone call as a subscriber to a
pre-paid wireless telephone service;
causing the call to be connected to a pre-paid switching system; and
a wireless switch sending an identifier associated with the destination of the
call and an identifier associated with a pre-paid account of the originator of
the call to the pre-paid switching system that validates the balance in the
account of the originator of the call, causes the call to be connected to the
destination, and periodically validates the call based on the balance associated
with the account and causes the call to be terminated if validation is
unsuccessful.
43. The method as set forth in claim 42 including terminating the call when the
balance in the account becomes zero.
44. The method of claim 42 wherein the identifier associated with the pre-paid
account is a mobile identifier.
45. The method of claim 42 wherein the identifier associated with the pre-paid
account is a telephone number.
46. The method of claim 42 wherein the identifier associated with the pre-paid
account is an automated number identifier.
47. The method as set forth in claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 wherein the validating
step includes finding the pre-paid account of the originator of the call and
retrieving a balance associated with the account.
48. The method as set forth in claim 47 including maintaining a database of
identifiers associated with pre-paid wireless telephone accounts, the database
being remote from the pre-paid switching system, and the finding step including
accessing the database via a remote server.
49. The method as set forth in claim 48 wherein the accessing step includes
sharing access to the database with one or more other pre-paid switching
systems.
50. The method as set forth in claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 including notifying the
originator of the pre-paid wireless telephone call of the status of the account.
51. The method of claim 50 including notifying the originator of the pre-paid
wireless telephone call of the remaining balance.
52. The method of claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 wherein the identifier associated with
the pre-paid account is an electronic serial number.
53. The method of claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 comprising:
identifying at least one cost variable associated with the call;
determining a rate associated with a fixed interval of time based on the cost
variable; and
converting the account balance to a maximum call length based on the account
balance and based on the rate.
54. The method of claim 53 wherein the cost variable is time of day.
55. The method of claim 53 wherein the cost variable is a destination of the
pre-paid wireless call.
56. The method as set forth in claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 wherein the originator of
the wireless telephone call is identified as a subscriber to the pre-paid
wireless telephone service at the wireless switch.
57. The method as set forth in claim 42, 29, 30, or 31 wherein the identifier
associated with the destination of the call is entered by the subscriber prior
to origination of the wireless telephone call, and the identifier associated
with the pre-paid account of the originator of the call is transparently sent to
the wireless switch upon origination of the wireless telephone call.
58. The system of claim 33 to 34 wherein the computer with access to the
database is the computer that receives information from the wireless switch,
validates the balance, causes the call to be connected to the destination,
periodically validates the call, and causes the call to be terminated if
validation is unsuccessful.
59. The system of claim 33 to 34 wherein the computer with access to the
database is networked to a server computer with which the database is
associated.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a cellular telecommunications system
having a security feature which allows only pre-authorized users to complete
cellular telephone calls. More particularly, the cellular telecommunications
system of the present invention permits cellular telecommunications providers to
obtain pre-paid subscribers and eliminate credit-risk problems. In addition, the
present invention provides anti-fraud protection for cellular service providers
by allowing subscribers to designate protection codes which must be dialed
before a telecommunications event will be completed.
Conventional cellular telecommunications systems require the cellular provider
to undertake credit screening and certify credit-worthy subscribers before
enabling a user to access the cellular telecommunications system. Customarily, a
potential subscriber will apply to the cellular service provider, who then
undertakes a verification process to determine whether the potential subscriber
is credit-worthy. If the potential subscriber has a positive credit rating, the
subscriber is given access to the cellular system and is able to initiate or
receive unlimited cellular telecommunications events during a certain period of
time or during a certain number of billing cycles. If the subscriber regularly
pays invoices for the telecommunications services, the subscriber's access to
the telecommunications system continues unfettered. If the subscriber fails to
pay invoices as they become due, the cellular service provider has the ability
to discontinue the subscriber's access until the invoice is paid. Thus, pre-paid
telecommunications access is a desirable feature to prevent fraudulent use of
the telecommunications system. Additionally, the present invention provides
anti-fraud capabilities by requiring that a pass-code or personal identification
number (PIN) be dialed along with the called number before a telecommunications
event will be completed.
Up to now, the cellular service provider had no means available to offer
cellular telecommunications services on a pre-paid basis, monitor the
subscriber's cellular telecommunications usage in real time and discontinue
access to the cellular telecommunications services immediately upon exhaustion
of a pre-paid account balance. Additionally, up to now, cellular service
providers had no means available to prevent cellular theft by unscrupulous
persons retrieving equipment serial numbers from cellular signal transmissions
and "cloning" or reprogramming other cellular equipment to replicate a
subscriber's telecommunications profile.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Land-based telecommunication systems have devised a method for allowing pre-paid
telephone usage and limiting telecommunications usage to only a period of time
equivalent to the pre-paid value. Perhaps the best example of such a land-based
telecommunications system is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,335 issued Oct. 4,
1994 to D'Urso (hereinafter the "D'Urso" patent).
The D'Urso patent discloses a public switched telephone network (PTSN) which
operates on a pre-payment system and has multilingual capabilities. A telephone
user purchases a pre-determined quantum of service, i.e., telecommunications
time before access and is provided a card imprinted with a unique account
number. The user is also given a series of toll free, commonly known as "1-800"
numbers which allows the user to access the prepaid telephone system. Activation
of each of the toll free numbers causes the system described in the D'Urso
patent to interact wit the user in the user's native language or in a language
which the user desires to interact with the telecommunications system. Upon
dialing an appropriate toll free telephone number at a PTSN node, the user is
connected through a switching system with a host computer. The host computer
prompts the user, typically by digital voice commands, to enter the user's
account number, using the PTSN node keypad, imprinted on the user's account
card. The authenticity of the entered account number and the available amount of
credit is determined by the host computer. Account authentication and credit
balance checking is accomplished by local area network connection with a service
management computer which manages a card database containing account information
for each outstanding account card. If the account card is valid and an available
balance is verified, the host computer prompts the user to enter a speed dialing
alias or destination telephone number. The user is given a pre-set number of
attempts to enter a valid alias or destination number. The system performs
editing checks on the alias or destination number. Improper entry of a speed
dialing alias or destination for the pre-set number of attempts will cause the
host computer to disconnect the user. Upon proper entry of a speed dialing alias
or destination number, the host computer compares the available card balance
against the balance required to make a one minute phone call to the desired
destination. If the available balance is greater than or equal to the balance
required to make that one minute call, a voice response unit (VRU) plays an
announcement in the user's chosen language informing the user that the call is
being processed. The VRU computer uses a stored call rate associated with the
caller's destination number and the available credit balance to determine the
available call duration. A call duration timer is set in response to the
determination of the available call duration.
The VRU computer is then directed to outpulse the digits of the destination
number to a network node. When the host computer detects an off-hook condition
from the destination, the call duration timer is started and the available call
balance is depleted while the call is in progress. When the host computer
detects that the available call balance is close to depletion, the VRU computer
is bridged onto the call and plays a pending disconnect announcement in the
users chosen language. Upon exhaustion of the call balance, the VRU plays a
disconnect announcement, the call is disconnected and the host computer sends a
message to the service management computer and database that the balance on the
card is depleted.
Alternatively, if an on-hook condition at the destination occurs before the card
balance is depleted, the host computer calculates the remaining available
balance based upon the condition of the call timer and compares the computed
balance to the minimum credit threshold. The host computer then causes a VRU
computer to notify the caller, in the chosen language, whether the remaining
balance exceeds the minimum credit threshold, and the value of the available
balance and then disconnects the calling party. The host computer then sends an
update message to the service management computer and the database, notifying
them of the calculated remaining balance. The service management computer then
overwrites the present balance in the database with the calculated balance sent
by the host computer.
While the D'Urso telecommunications system allows for pre-paid
telecommunications activity, it is wholly dependent upon user first calling a
toll free number, inputting account information, waiting for account validation,
inputting the called destination, waiting for destination validation and then
either being connected or not. The D'Urso system requires a plurality of input
events by the user before a call can be passed to the destination. Moreover, the
D'Urso system lacks direct interface with the remote database for real time
account balance adjustment during a telecommunications event. Rather, in the
D'Urso system a host computer queries a remote management server database to
determine an available credit balance. The host computer then looks up a
telecommunications rate for the destination number called, calculates a time
value corresponding to the credit balance for the destination number and either
authorizes or rejects the attempted call on the basis of the calculated time
value. If the attempted call is authorized, a calculated time value timer is
set. Upon occurrence of an off-hook condition at the destination called, the
calculate time value timer at the host computer is decremented until a
pre-determined threshold value. As the threshold value is reached, a voice
message is bridged onto the call to advise the user of the remaining calculated
time value. Upon expiration of the calculated time value, the call is
disconnected. After disconnection due to either 1) expiration of the calculated
time value, or 2) an on-hook condition at the called destination, the host
computer re-calculates the credit balance from the remaining time value and
sends an update record to the management server and database and overwrites the
previous credit balance information stored at the database. In this manner, the
database is not actively updated as the telecommunications activity is
occurring.
Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the prepaid
land-based telecommunications system described in the D'Urso patent is
fundamentally different from the cellular-based telecommunications system of the
present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need has been recognized for a cellular telecommunications system which
permits access by pre-paid users, without the need for modifying the cellular
radiotelephones commonly in use. The present invention provides a system and
method which recognizes cellular radiotelephones pre-programmed with a
pre-selected telephone number and a automated number identification code (ANI).
The pre-selected telephone number is reserved to the pre-paid cellular
telecommunications system. The user merely enters the destination telephone
number and activates an off-hook condition, typically by depressing a "send"
button on the keypad of the cellular radiotelephone. The cellular radiotelephone
then transmits the ANI and a dialed number identification system code (DNIS).
Because all cellular systems operate on the basis of discrete cell sites, which
re-transmit the received signal to a central cellular service organization
cellular switch, both the ANI and the DNIS are transmitted to the cellular
switch. At the cellular switch, the ANI is recognized as one reserved to the
pre-paid cellular system and is re-directed, along with the DNIS, to the
pre-paid cellular system switch via T1 land lines or via cellular
re-transmission.
At the pre-paid cellular system switch, a host computer authenticates both the
ANI and DNIS. Upon recognition of a valid ANI, the host computer establishes
communications via either a local area network (LAN) or wide-area network (WAN)
with a remote computer database server. At the remote computer database server,
a database is maintained with pre-paid subscriber information. The pre-paid
subscriber database contains records of each pre-paid subscriber. Each
subscriber record in the database includes, at least the ANI assigned to that
pre-paid subscriber, a pre-paid account balance and a time rate for
telecommunications charges.
The host computer validates the received ANI by comparison to the ANI
information in the database. Upon validation of the received ANI, account
balance information for the account associated with the received ANI is queried
to determine if there is a positive credit balance. Upon verification that the
account has a positive credit balance, the host computer outpulses the dialed
destination telephone number to a local exchange carrier, such as one of the
Regional Bell Operating Companies.
During the call progress, the account balance information at the computer
database server is decremented based upon elapse of pre-determined time periods
at the predetermined time value for cellular telecommunications. It is important
to note the time value is deducted from the account balance at regular intervals
of time while the call is in progress.
The present invention allows a pre-paid user to access the cellular
telecommunication system and have authentication and accounting occur
transparently without any preliminary input by the user. The present invention
accomplishes this by using the ANI as the file link to identify and authenticate
the cellular telephone against the database. Thus, cellular telephone users are
freed of the need to carry and use cards, are freed of the need to enter account
information as a first step in the authentication process and the possibility of
fraud on the cellular service providers is minimized.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following more
detailed description of the present invention when taken with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a typical cellular telecommunications system
interfaced with the cellular telecommunications system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic call flow of the prior art pre-paid land-based
telecommunications system.
FIG. 3 is a call flow diagram from a typical cellular radiotelephone.
FIG. 4 is a call flow diagram at a cellular switch in accordance with the
present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating call validation processing at a host
computer in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating call processing at the central office in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating call accounting processing at a host
computer in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8A is a flow diagram illustrating a first embodiment of incoming call
processing in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8B is a flow diagram illustrating a second embodiment of incoming call
processing in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The prepaid cellular telecommunications system of the present invention is best
illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGS. 1 and 3
through 8B generally describe the system of the present invention and FIG. 2
depicts the prior art system described in the D'Urso patent.
With particular reference to FIG. 1, the pre-paid cellular system 10 of the
present invention is illustrated. The pre-paid cellular system 10 interfaces
with a conventional cellular telecommunications switched network 2. Conventional
cellular telecommunications switched network 2 is a network consisting of a
plurality of cellular antennae 4 capable of receiving cellular band RF signals
5, with each of the plurality cellular antennae 4 being associated with a
discrete cell site 6. Each of the plurality of cellular antennae 4 is
electrically linked to a cellular switch 8 which governs the operation of the
cellular telecommunications switched network 2 and links the network 2 to a
local exchange carrier 20 via T1 land line 12.
In accordance with the present invention, a cellular service provider 14 is
linked to he cellular telecommunications switched network 2 cellular switch 8
via T1 land line 15. The cellular service provider 14 has a plurality of
cellular telephone numbers reserved to it for pre-paid subscribers. Each
reserved cellular telephone number has a unique automated number identifier
(ANI) associated with the reserved telephone number. These reserved cellular
telephone numbers are stored in a switch computer resident at switch 8. The
cellular service provider 14 is electrically linked to the local exchange
carrier 20 via T1 land line 17 to communicate cellular telephone calls from the
service provider 14 to the local exchange carrier's regular network.
The service provider 14 has host computer 16 which is preferably networked
through either a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) 21 to a
remote server computer 18. In this manner a plurality of service providers may,
within a single cellular service, operate from the same remote server computer
18. The remote server computer 18 has an associated database 19 of pre-paid
subscribers, which is independently accessible by each of the service providers.
The host computer is preferable based upon a multi-processor platform such as
those made by Intel Corporation and based upon the 486 of PENTIUM
microprocessor, with each host computer having a plurality of modem's and
network interface circuit boards capable of simultaneous bi-directional
processing of telecommunications data between the T1 land line 15 and the modems
and between the host computer and the remote server. The remote server is also
preferably a multi-processor based platform capable of distributed load
processing, and fitted with a plurality of network interface circuit boards. The
database is preferably stored across a plurality of hard disk drives configured
as a redundant array of independent drives (RAID).
In the foregoing manner, a cellular transmission 5 received by an antenna 4
within a cell size 6 is received at switch 8. If the ANI and DNIS transmitted
with the cellular transmission 5 is one of the reserved pre-paid cellular
telephone numbers, the switch 8 re-directs the transmission 5 to the service
provider via the T1 land line 15. The transmission 5 is communicated to the
service provider's host computer 16, which then authenticates the ANI and DNIS
by accessing the server computer 18 and database 19. Upon valid authentication
of the ANI and DNIS, the subscriber identity is validated. The database 19 will
have records indicative of the subscriber's account balance. A check of the
subscriber's account balance in the database 19 is made to validate the presence
of a pre-paid balance sufficient to supply a pre-determined quantum of
telecommunications, e.g., one minute, at a predetermined telecommunications
charge rate associated with both the dialed number and the time of day in which
the call is placed. Upon account balance validation, the host computer 16
validates the call and passes it to the local exchange carrier 20 via the T1
land line 7.
A pre-payment telecommunications system 30 of the prior art is illustrated with
reference to FIG. 2. The system 30 requires that a pre-paid user first dial a
toll free access number at block 32. Upon connection with the toll free access
number, the user must enter an assigned account number imprinted on a card at
block 34. After the card account number is validated at block 36, a counter is
set at block 44 and a check is made at block 46 to determine whether a call on
the entered account is in progress. A negative validation at block 36 will cause
an invalid card flag to be initiated at block 38 and an appropriate voice
message from a voice response unit (VRU) announced at block 40. If an
affirmative response is elicited from the check at block 46, the VRU prompts the
user to enter a destination telephone number at block 48. A validation check is
made at block 50 of the dialed number entered in response to the VRU prompt at
block 48. If the validation check at block 50 is affirmative, a database
associated with a management computer is called at block 54 and the account's
records are retrieved for credit balance determination. A check is made of the
credit associated with the card account to determine whether the user's account
has any available credit at block 56 and whether the available credit exceeds a
pre-determined minimum threshold at block 52. An additional check is made to
determine whether sufficient credit in the user's account balance to pay for a
threshold time value of a call, e.g., one minute, based upon a time value rate
for the destination being called is determined at block 58. If the
determinations made at blocks 52, 56 and 58 are affirmative the call is passed
by outpulsing the dialed number at block 60. If a negative determination at any
of blocks 52, 56 or 58 is made, an appropriate voice message is played by the
VRU at block 40 and the user is disconnected at block 42.
Upon connection with the destination number, an off-hook condition of the
destination is sensed at block 62. If an off-hook condition exists at the
destination, a timer is started at block 64 which continues until an on-hook
condition exists at the destination and the timer is stopped at block 66. Upon a
stop timer condition at block 66, the management computer is called and updated
by overwriting the user's account record with updated information based upon the
elapsed time of the call and the time value of the call at block 68. The VRU
then issues an appropriate voice message 40 to advise the user of the revised
account balance and the user is disconnected at block 42.
As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the foregoing description of
he pre-paid telecommunications system of the prior art 30 requires the user to
first access a toll-free number to be linked to a host computer, and then must
enter an account code and wait for validation and then enter a destination
number, and wait for validation before the call is passed. The present invention
operates advantageously with a cellular telecommunications system to eliminate
the need for a toll free host computer to interact directly with the user, and
eliminate the need for the pre-paid user to make multiple keypad entries.
Rather, as will be more apparent from the following description of the preferred
embodiment, the user only enters the destination number and all call processing
is handled by the host computer in conjunction with the cellular switch.
Turning now to FIGS. 3-8B, call flow in the pre-paid cellular telecommunications
system of the present invention is illustrated. It is important to note that the
cellular radiotelephones used by pre-paid subscribers are of a conventional
type, without special circuitry, modification or programming. Rather, each
cellular radiotelephone used by pre-paid subscribers is programmed, in the
normal manner, with a pre-defined cellular telephone number reserved to the
pre-paid cellular telecommunications system 10.
FIG. 3 illustrates call initiation by a pre-paid cellular telecommunications
subscriber. The subscriber initiates a cellular call at block 72 by entering the
destination number directly at the keypad of the cellular radiotelephone. After
the subscriber enters the called number, the subscriber sends the destination
number (DNIS) by activating a send key on the keypad of he cellular
radiotelephone at block 74. The cellular radiotelephone then transmits the DNIS
and an ANI unique to the transmitting cellular radiotelephone at block 76 as
cellular signals 5 to the nearest antenna within the cell site.
FIG. 4 illustrates call processing by the cellular switch 8. The cellular switch
8 is constantly in a wait condition for receipt of cellular transmissions from a
plurality of subscribers within the coverage area of the cellular switch. The
cellular switch receives the transmitted DNIS at block 78 and the transmitted
ANI at block 79. Upon recognition of the ANI as a unique ANI identifying a
subscriber in the inventive pre-paid cellular system, the cellular switch routes
the cellular call through a direct line to a host computer of the inventive
cellular system at block 80 and goes off-hook to the host computer at block 82.
The cellular switch then waits for receipt of a wink signal at block 84. Upon
receipt of a first wink signal at block 84, the cellular switch sends the DNIS
to the host computer at block 86. Upon receipt of a second wink signal at block
84, the cellular switch sends the ANI to the host computer at block 88. Those
skilled in the art will under stand that the sequential order of sending the
DNIS and ANI may be reversed. After sending the DNIS and ANI, the cellular
switch waits for an off-hook condition from the host computer to connect the
call. If the host computer fails to go off-hook within a pre-determined period
of time, the cellular switch drops the caller.
Call processing at the host computer is illustrated in FIG. 5. The host
computer's initiated zero state is to wait for a cellular switch off-hook
condition to the host computer. Upon receipt of an off-hook condition from the
cellular switch, the host computer sends a first wink signal to the cellular
switch at block 102 which tells the cellular switch to send the DNIS. The host
computer then receives the DNIS 103 from the cellular switch at block 104. After
receiving the DNIS at block 104, the host computer sends a second wink signal to
the cellular switch at block 106 which tells the cellular switch to send the
ANI. The host computer then receives the ANI 107 from the cellular switch at
block 108. The host computer accesses the subscriber database from the remote
server 11 and loads the database record corresponding to the received ANI to
memory at block 109. The received ANI is validated against the database record
in memory as one belonging to a pre-paid subscriber at block 110. Upon ANI
validation at block 110, the host computer then validates the subscriber's
pre-paid balance based upon the DNIS and time of day rate, e.g., peak or
off-peak time rates, at block 112.
Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the processing of
the DNIS and ANI signals may occur in reverse order, and that different cellular
service providers may use alternative signals to represent the dialed number and
the subscriber's cellular radiotelephone. For example, the cellular
radiotelephone's electronic serial number (ESN) may be transmitted instead of
the ANI. The ANI is referenced, herein only by way of example.
Upon balance validation at block 112, the host computer goes off-hook to the
cellular provider at block 113 and a pre-determined minimum time rate is
decremented from the subscriber's balance in memory at block 114 and then the
call accounting loop is initiated at block D. While at present time, it is
preferable to use memory, those skilled in the art will understand that future
improvements in LAN and WAN communication speeds and database rad-write speeds
may obviate the desirability of loading the account balance to memory to
facilitate subsequent call accounting processing. The host computer then
outpulses the DNIS, or another host computer-modified signal including the
called telephone number, such as a pass-code or PIN number, or the DNIS stripped
of the area code, to the local exchange carrier for connection to obtain a
central office (CO) line at block 116.
Turning now to FIG. 6, the CO is in a zero state waiting for an off-hook from
the host computer at block 118. Upon an off-hook condition from the host
computer at block 118, the CO goes off hook to the host computer and presents a
dialtone, at block 120. After the T1 land line has been seized, the DNIS or a
host-computer modified DNIS, is received and routed over the T1 land line to the
number dialed out by the host computer at block 122. The CO then waits for an
off-hook condition at the called telephone number at block 124 and connects the
call.
Immediately upon occurrence of an off-hook condition at the called number, the
call accounting flow illustrated in FIG. 7 is executed. While the CO negotiates
and seizes a T1 line from the local exchange carrier, the host computer waits at
block 126 for an off-hook condition at the called number. Immediately upon
occurrence of an off-hook condition at the called number, the account balance in
memory is decremented by a predetermined value, corresponding to a minimum time
rate base upon the DNIS and the time of day rate, e.g., $0.02 for each six
seconds of telecommunications time at an off-peak, i.e., after 7:00 p.m. local
time. Thus, for example, immediately upon occurrence of an off-hook condition at
the destination number, a minimum time value of one minute is decremented from
the account balance resident in memory.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
account balance read into memory is translated to a time value based upon the
called number (DNIS) and the time of day rate applicable. In this manner, the
account balance is converted to a time value e.g., number of seconds or number
of minutes, and the time value is decremented based upon elapse of
pre-determined time periods while either the subscriber's cellular telephone or
the called number are off-hook.
After the elapse of a time period equal to the pre-determined minimum time
value, the account balance is queried at block 132 to determine if there is a
sufficient account balance for an additional quantum of the minimum time value.
If a sufficient account balance is determined to exist at block 132, the process
loops back 133 and decrements the account balance by the pre-determined minimum
time value at block 128. Process loop 133 continues to execute until either the
subscriber or the called number are on-hook at block 130 or until a negative
response issues to the account balance validation at block 132. If either an
on-hook condition at the subscriber or the called party at block 130 or the
account balance is not validated at block 132, a disconnection occurs,
accounting ceases and the call, including the DNIS and the elapsed time of the
call are logged to the database resident at the remote server (not shown) and
the remaining account balance is written to the database at block 134. The
system then bridges to a voice response unit and issues a voice message to the
subscriber advising the subscriber of the remaining account balance at block
136. Where it is technically feasible to decrement the account balance directly
from the database, without loading the account balance to memory at the host
computer, those skilled in the art will understand that the step of writing the
adjusted account balance to the database may not be a necessary step.
The foregoing describes the call handling process for outgoing calls from a
cellular subscriber. In those cellular service areas where the cellular service
is offered only on a "calling party pays" basis, there is no need to monitor or
control telecommunications events incoming to the subscriber. However, in those
cellular service areas where cellular service is offered on the basis that the
subscriber pays telecommunication charges irrespective of whether the subscriber
is originating or receiving a call, the present system provides a method for
monitoring and controlling incomming cellular telephone calls to the pre-paid
subscriber and adjusting the pre-paid subscriber's account balance for incomming
calls.
FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate alternative embodiments of the system adapted to
monitor and control incomming calls to a pre-paid cellular service provider. It
must be understood that the operation and construction of the cellular switch,
host computer, CO and local exchange carrier are identical to that for outgoing
calls made by the pre-paid subscriber. The principal difference is, however, in
the sequence of events which occur to activate the call accounting and control
functions of the inventive cellular telecommunications system.
We turn now specifically to FIG. 8A which illustrates a first embodiment of the
inventive pre-paid cellular telecommunications system. In FIG. 8A, an
originating party initiates a land line telephone call at block 150. The
initiated call consists of the pre-paid subscriber's telephone number unique to
the pre-paid cellular system. The call is handed to a CO at block 152 and
redirected to the host computer based upon the dialed number matching a pre-paid
subscriber's telephone number. The host computer is initialized in a wait for CO
off-hook state and waits for an incomming off-hook signal from the CO at block
154. Upon receiving an incomming call at block 154, the host computer validates
the dialed number against the pre-paid subscriber database and determines
whether a sufficient account balance exists for the pre-determined minimum time
value for a telecommunications event, as described above with reference to FIG.
7. Upon validation of the dialed number and the available account balance, the
host computer outpulses the dialed number to the cellular switch 156 which
routes the call to the cellular subscriber at block 158. Upon occurrence of an
off-hook condition at the cellular subscriber at block 158, the cellular switch
returns 157 the off-hook condition to the host computer and call accounting as
described above with reference to FIG. 7 occurs.
In accordance with a second embodiment for incomming call handling in accordance
with the present invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the originating party
at block 160 and the CO at block 162 function identically as described above
with reference to FIG. 8A. However, in this second embodiment, the CO outpulses
the mobile identifier directly to the cellular switch at block 164, and the
cellular switch passes 165 the mobile identifier to the host computer at block
166 to enable the host computer to validate both the mobile identifier and the
available balance. Upon such validation, the host computer at block 166 directs
the cellular switch to pass the call to the subscriber at block 168. Again, upon
occurrence of an off-hook condition at the subscriber, the host computer
executes call accounting as previously described with reference to FIG. 7.
Thus, in the present invention, the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome,
particularly as those disadvantages would affect a cellular user. By eliminating
the need for the user to make unnecessary dialing entries and limit the user's
dialing entry only to the destination number the present invention represents a
valuable and needed advance in the art. Additionally, by using the ANI to
identify the subscriber, rather than the situs of the call, the present
invention provides for transparent call processing for the end-user and achieves
a fraud tolerance level not presently available to service providers.
While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred
embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate from the
foregoing that variations in equipment, operating conditions and configuration
may be made and still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention
which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *
