Patent ID: 6741687
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A method for providing prepaid services in a telecommunications network, the method comprising:establishing a control communication session between a control network entity and a first client device, wherein the control network entity is arranged to provide prepaid services to the first client device; receiving at the control network entity via the control communication session a prepaid status request message that the first client device upon detecting a call being placed between the first client device and a second client device; determining if the first client device is authorized to establish the prepaid call; sending a prepaid status response from the control network entity to the first client device via the control communication session, the prepaid status response comprising authorization data, wherein if the authorization data comprises an authorization approval for the first client device, the first client device responsively establishes a voice communication session to the second client device; decrementing a prepaid calling balance associated with the first client device as the call progresses; receiving at the control network entity via the control communication session a call disconnect message sent from the first client device in response to termination of the voice communication session between the first client device and the second client device; updating the prepaid balance associated with the first client device; receiving at the control network entity via the control communication session a keep alive signal from the first client device, determining whether a next keep alive signal is received within a predetermined time period, and terminating the decrementing the prepaid calling balance associated with the first client device if the next keep alive signal is not received within the predetermined time period.