Method and apparatus for providing prepaid local telephone services in metered states
US6785372B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2215/0116
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing prepaid local telephone services is provided. The method includes determining if a subscriber is making a qualified local telephone call, checking to see if a maximum number of calls have been made by the subscriber and decrementing a call counter if a telephone call in connected. The system includes a switch for receiving telephone calls and identifying subscribers and qualified telephone calls. In addition, the system includes a telephone network element in communication with the switch, the telephone network element having logic for identifying local telephone calls, a notification timer configured to remove the telephone network element from a telephone call after a predetermined period of time, and a call counter for monitoring a number of local calls permitted to a subscriber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.