Multiple service provider prepaid wireless service card
US6745022B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/66
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A distributor of prepaid wireless services provides a prepaid card representing an amount of prepaid wireless service that may be applied to any of a plurality of wireless service providers. Prepaid cards applicable to any of several wireless service providers are sold at retail points of sale and activated at the time of purchase. The card is then registered with a universal host where the card owner enters the card account number, PIN and the wireless device telephone number for which the prepaid service is to be applied. The universal host automatically selects one of the plurality of service providers in response to the phone number. The purchased prepaid service is then enabled for the wireless device corresponding to the phone number.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.