Patent ID: 8073472
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: G06Q,H04L,H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for providing prepaid billing services as part of an instant messaging (IM) system, comprising: a prepaid account screener; and an instant messaging (IM) gateway coupled to the prepaid account screener, wherein the IM gateway is operable to: establish a regular IM session for an IM client if the prepaid account screener determines that a prepaid account balance associated with the IM client satisfies a pre-determined criteria, wherein establishing a regular IM session further comprises forwarding an IM client request to an external community IM server; and establish a limited IM session for the IM client if the prepaid account screener determines that the prepaid account balance does not satisfy the pre-determined criteria, wherein establishing a limited IM session further comprises: