Alternative wireless telephone roaming using prepaid services
US6792271B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2215/7442
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system are provided for registering and operating a wireless telephone in a roaming service area in which the wireless telephone is not registered for roaming services. When a wireless telephone is operated in a such a roaming service area, the roaming service provider whose services the wireless telephone must utilize in order to operate in the roaming service area informs the user of the wireless telephone through a recorded or live message that the wireless telephone may be used in the roaming service area if the user of the wireless telephone purchases and uses a prepaid utilization account offered by the roaming service provider. If the user purchases a prepaid card and loads a balance into a prepaid utilization account, a prepaid services system of the roaming service provider establishes a pseudo-telephone number for use by the wireless telephone in the roaming service area. The user's home service provider is notified that all calls directed to the user's permanent wireless telephone number should be forwarded to the pseudo-number assigned to the wireless telephone. After this registration process is completed, calls may be placed to and from the wireless telep…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.