Prepaid billing support for simultaneous communication sessions in data networks
US7184530B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W92/02
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for providing prepaid billing for two concurrent communication sessions is accomplished by a first-network-access device, such as a WIN SCP, receiving from a prepaid-user account prepaid services for a first-communication session. During the first-communication session, a second-network-access device, e.g., an AAA server, requests from the prepaid-user account additional prepaid services for a second- communication session that is to occur on a data network. In response to the request, the first-network-access device receives from a prepaid-billing system a status-update request. Responsive to the update request, the first-network-access device sends to the prepaid-billing system the prepaid-service usage for the first communication session. The prepaid billing system updates the prepaid user account by debiting the prepaid services usage from the prepaid-user account. If prepaid services remain after updating the prepaid user account, the second-network-access device receives from the prepaid-billing system prepaid services for the second communication session.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.