Patent ID: 6973172
Filing Date: 2005-12-06
Classification: G06Q,G07F,H04M

Abstract:
1. A method for providing a second PIN number from a POS terminal in communication with a host server, to a patron of said POS terminal, without hardware changes to said POS terminal and without such POS terminal contacting a telephone service provider prior to or during the dispensing of said second PIN number to said patron, to permit said patron access via said second PIN number to a fixed quantity of prepaid telephone time from at least one of a plurality of telephone service providers, said POS terminal vending items other than second PIN numbers, said method comprising in combination: a) ordering a pre-determined amount of telephone time from each of a plurality of telephone service providers, wherein each of the plurality of telephone service providers has ascribed second PIN numbers to individual allotments of telephone time; b) thereafter, causing the ascribed second PIN numbers to be supplied to the host server in a common form, each of said second PIN numbers when provided to a patron of such POS terminal during a transaction and subsequently supplied by the patron to the telephone service provider adapted to allow telephone service for said patron for said individual allotment of telephone time, c) causing said second PIN numbers to be stored in the common form on the host server which interfaces with said POS terminal; d) causing a patron of such POS terminal, who accesses the POS terminal by providing the POS terminal with an encoded credit card or bank debit card and a first PIN number, to be queried as to whether the patron wishes to purchase telephone time; e) in response to input from said patron desiring to purchase telephone time, causing said patron to be queried as to whether the patron desires to charge the patron's credit card or debit the patron's bank account; f) in the event that the patron desires to charge the patron's bank account, causing the host server to cause a verification that the patron has sufficient funds to purchase said quantity of telephone time, and cause a debiting of such account; g) in the event the patron desires to charge the patron's credit card, causing the host server to cause a verification that the quantity of time desired to be purchased may be charged to said credit card, and cause a charging of said credit card; h) upon satisfaction of f) or g) above, causing the host server to select one of said second PIN numbers; and i) causing said selected second PIN number to be provided from the host server to such patron by printing said second PIN number on said POS terminal's existing account statement printer or alternatively displaying said second PIN number on said POS terminal's visual display.