Method and system for allowing simultaneous usage of prepaid services

US8019686B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Thomas Michael Bauer · Madison, US
• Charles David Caldwell · Keyport, US
• Walter H. Hawkins · Freehold, US
• Robert Sayko · Colts Neck Township, US
• Blake Lane Wattenbarger · Fair Haven, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 20, 2009
• Grant date: Sep 13, 2011
• Expiry date: Jan 1, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/04
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method and system allows multiple and simultaneous use of a pre-paid calling card. A call management system allows for the completion of multiple calls under one pre-paid calling card account number. Depending on the number of concurrent users, a billing system assigns a portion of the total number of available service units to individualized user accounts. The individualized accounts are debited according to the rate charges for each of the calls and are initially assigned an account balance that allows all concurrent users with the same amount of talk time.