Abstract:
Methods and pre-paid platforms are provided to detect the occurrence of a refresh triggering event as specified by a refresh trigger rule and to then refresh the pre-paid account in accordance with a refresh completion rule. The refresh triggering event may be one or more of a variety of event types, such as depletion of a remaining usage to a pre-defined level or a target date and/or time for a refresh. The refresh completion rule may be one or more of a variety of actions to take, such as increasing the remaining usage by a default amount to complete the refresh or requesting authorization for a refresh by generating a message to an entity in control of the pre-paid account. The pre-paid platform may charge a monetary account for the amount of the refresh that is applied.
Abstract:
Prepaid services include associating a plurality of users with a prepaid services account. The account is configured to track a prepaid balance associated with the account as well as to allow at least a subset of the plurality of users associated with the account to draw down the prepaid balance at least generally at the same time. Drawing down the prepaid balance includes allocating a portion of the prepaid balance to each respective user, monitoring a provision of service, and repeating, selectively, the allocating and monitoring.
Abstract:
A node (22) of a communications system is configured use behavioral information (26) regarding a customer/subscriber's communication usage to automatically perform a promotional activity (28) with respect to communication usages of the customer/subscriber with another customer/subscriber. In an example implementation, the node (22) comprises electronic circuitry (38) configured to use the behavioral information (26) regarding the customer/subscriber's communication usage to automatically perform the promotional activity (28) with respect to the communication usages of the customer/subscriber with the another customer/subscriber. In its various embodiments, the promotional activity (28) comprises at least one of a financial discount activity; a new access activity; a quality Of service change activity; and, an advance recharge activity. The behavioral information (26) may reflect both symmetry of connection (26-1) of the customer/subscriber with the another customer/subscriber; and community similarity (26-2) of the customer/subscriber and another customer/subscriber or other usage pattern.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers in different formats for delivery of premium messages; and a common format processor coupled with the plurality of converters in a common format to send the premium messages. In one embodiment, the common format processor is to obtain an authorization for the initiation of communications with a mobile phone of a user for subsequent payments to a merchant. After obtaining the authorization, the common format processor may directly initiate communications with the mobile phone, using one of the converters, to obtain confirmation of payments directly requested by the merchant. Upon confirmation with the mobile phone, the common format processor may send premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for making the confirmed payments.
Abstract:
A method includes receiving an over-the-air message from a mobile telephone. The message requests top-up of a prepaid payment capability in the mobile telephone. The method further includes authorizing the requested top-up. In addition, the method includes transmitting an over-the-air response to the mobile telephone. The response indicates to the mobile telephone that the top-up is authorized.
Abstract:
Methods and pre-paid platforms are provided to detect the occurrence of a refresh triggering event as specified by a refresh trigger rule and to then refresh the pre-paid account in accordance with a refresh completion rule. The refresh triggering event may be one or more of a variety of event types, such as depletion of a remaining usage to a pre-defined level or a target date and/or time for a refresh. The refresh completion rule may be one or more of a variety of actions to take, such as increasing the remaining usage by a default amount to complete the refresh or requesting authorization for a refresh by generating a message to an entity in control of the pre-paid account. The pre-paid platform may charge a monetary account for the amount of the refresh that is applied.
Abstract:
An over the air (OTA) Prepaid system, and a corresponding method, allows wireless connectivity when a wireless network would typically reject a user, such as when the user's profile cannot be validated. In wireless networks, unrecognized users are denied service due to the inability of the network to collect funds from the user for the services to be provided. When such a rejection scenario occurs, the OTA Prepaid system automatically (no user interaction required) initiates the process of local account allocation.
Abstract:
The present invention relates in general to the field of voice and data communications, and in particular, to a novel system for providing interoperable on-demand communications and services across otherwise incompatible narrowband voice and broadband systems. The system is also based on sponsored or universal communications services supported by interactive communications between sponsors and service providers and their respective databases of business rules.
Abstract:
A method and system adapted for use in a mobile telecommunication network is described. The invention describes a rating and routing system which is adapted to enable an efficient rating and routing of data transactions being transmitted through a network. Based on a comparison of identifiers associatable with a subscriber to the network, with a set of parameters defined for data transactions, the system of the present invention is adapted to enable an accurate assessment and allocation of the correct rating tariff value to a specific transaction and the routing of that rated value to an appropriate destination defined for the user.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for threshold value relates control of at least one service in a data or telecommunication system, comprising the following steps: a) defining at least one threshold value for a prepaid credit for the payment of said service; b) defining at least one action, especially control of the scope of said service, in the framework of said service, said action being able to be triggered at said threshold value; c) signalling if the threshold value(s) is/are exceeded or not respected; and d) triggering the action in response to the signal.