Prepaid/postpaid automatic change of payment option
US6785534B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2215/7263
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A prepaid/postpaid reconfiguration logic module in a service control point (SCP) of a wireless network allows a subscriber to a prepaid wireless service to change payment options between prepaid and postpaid without requiring assistance from a customer care representative. Standard wireless intelligent network (WIN) messaging is used to change from a previously selected prepaid or postpaid payment option, allowing the new option to be applied to their wireless phone account before or after any or all usages (i.e., as frequently as on a call-by-call basis). Preferably, a subscriber is given the opportunity to change the prepaid/postpaid payment option not only before but also after each usage of the relevant mobile device. Changes between prepaid and postpaid payment options substantially immediately affect a real time change in the payment mode of the subscriber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.