Patent ID: 6320947
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: G06Q,G07F,H04L,H04M,H04Q,H04W

Abstract:
A method of providing prepaid communication services via a network or networks, the method comprising:receiving from a user a personal identification number;authenticating the personal identification number;accepting, on an enhanced services platform, from the user, upon authentication of the personal identification number, at least one of a request for a communication service, a commercial transaction and a request for user account information originating from any one of a plurality of networks of different types, wherein a user requesting account information includes at least one of a service customer, a transaction customer, a service provider, a transaction provider, an external carrier, and a sales agent;verifying, by the enhanced services platform, that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service, the commercial transaction, and the user account information, and that an account linked to the personal identification number has sufficient value to pay for the least one of the communication service and commercial transaction;providing, by the enhanced services platform, the at least one of the communication service, the commercial transaction and the user account information to the authorized user via a network or networks comprising at least the Internet; andcharging, via the enhanced services platform, an authorized user account for providing the at least one of the communication service and the commercial transaction.