Patent ID: 6198915
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: H04M,H04W

Abstract:
In a debit phone system with a system provider having a host processor that maintains accounts for use of mobile phone units and stores mobile telephone unit identification information, a mobile phone unit with internal accounting for use in a phone network wherein the mobile phone unit is a unitary hand-held device that internally calculates call charges and decrements call charges from a debit account, the mobile phone unit comprising:communication means in the mobile phone unit for wireless communication in the phone network;internal processing means in the mobile phone unit including a processor, a clock and memory for processing calls and call charges;program means retained in the memory of the mobile phone unit including rate data and a complex billing algorithm with a multiple factor accounting protocol for classifying calls according to the basic categories of local calls, long distance calls, international calls and roaming calls, applying a call rate according to category, and calculating call charges as calls are made, the program means further including internal accounting means for generating an internal debit account in the phone unit, wherein the phone unit has means for communicating with the system provider and adding an authorized amount to the debit account;wherein the mobile phone unit internally calculates call charges and decrements the calculated call charges from the amount in the debit account in the mobile phone unit as calls are made and wherein, to add amounts to the debit account, the mobile phone unit further includes phone unit identification information to be transmitted for verification by the system provider using the host processor, which host processor also verifies that a phone use account amount addable to the debit account of the identified phone unit has been prepaid; andlocking means for preventing calls from the phone unit when the amount in the debit account is exhausted.