Patent · US Active

Alternative text billing system and method

US8359003B1 · kind B1 · utility

9Cited by
2References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 2009
Grant dateJan 22, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 9, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04W4/12
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An alternative billing system for communication service, comprising a gateway comprising a processor and a memory, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, receives a text message from an originating electronic device, determines that an account balance associated with the originating electronic device lacks sufficient funds to pay for origination of the text message, sends a message to a terminating electronic device identified by the text message to inquire if the terminating electronic device wants to be billed for the origination of the text message, when a message accepting billing for the origination of the text message is received from the terminating electronic device, sends the text message to the terminating electronic device, and when a message rejecting billing for the origination of the text message is received from the terminating electronic device, does not send the text message to the terminating electronic device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.