Abstract:
Prepaid accounts are replenished during multimedia sessions using the prepaid accounts without interruption of the multimedia sessions. A prepay server monitors and adjusts prepaid account balances based on usage of communications resources as reported by elements of the communications network ( 100 ). If a processor determines that an account balance is low, then a user terminal ( 102 ) is notified and a new session is intiated to permit the user to increase the account balance without interrupting the ongoing communications session.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to multimedia communications systems, and in particular, to the replenishment of wireless prepaid accounts during multimedia sessions.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Wireless communication systems are well known. Wireless communication systems allow mobile radiotelephones to communicate with each other and other networks, such as the Internet and the public telephone network. First and second generation wireless telephone systems are generally constrained in the amount of bandwidth available for communication. This limits capacity and also the types of services that are provided. Third generation wireless systems hold the promise of greater bandwidth and simultaneous communications involving multiple media, thereby increasing capacity and allowing for enhanced services, such as multimedia services. Proposed third generation wireless communications devices include, in addition to a voice communication interface, capability for communication of data and display of data, including video.  
           [0003]    Prepaid accounts for voice or data communications are known. Examples of prepaid accounts are calling cards and prepaid cellular accounts. Customers set up prepaid accounts in order to gain access to services without the hassle of bills, contracts, and the need to carry large amounts of cash. Prepaid accounts are cost efficient because services are provided based on the value of the account. Once the value is depleted, the user has the option to replenish the account for additional usage. Prepaid accounts are typically based on a per unit usage charge, for example, $50 for 200 minutes of “talk” time, $1 for each megabyte of data transferred, or $0.50 for each party added to a conference call. One account may be used for multiple services, with the balance being adjusted according to use. When an account approaches a zero balance, the customer is notified of the balance, including, for example, notification by announcement during a telephone call. To add value to the account, a separate communication, such as a telephone call, must be made to the issuer of the account with a credit card payment or additional value must be purchased at a predetermined location.  
           [0004]    Unfortunately, when an account needs to be replenished and a customer is using the telephone, the customer must end their call in order to make the telephone call to replenish their account. Or, the customer must end the call and go purchase additional value at a predetermined location. The current process is time consuming and inconvenient.  
           [0005]    Therefore, a need exists for a method and system to replenish prepaid accounts during a call.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    A method is provided for replenishing a prepaid account during a communications session. First, a balance for the prepaid account is monitored with respect to a predetermined threshold. The monitoring occurs during a communications session that uses the prepaid account. If the balance for the prepaid account is below a predetermined threshold during this communications session, then a user of the communications session is notified. A user or a service provider preferably sets the predetermined threshold. Preferably, the notification is made via a visual display or audio announcement at the user terminal. After the user is notified, an interactive session is established with the user for adding value to the balance of the prepaid account. The interactive session for adding value is independent of the communications session. Moreover, the communications session continues during the interactive session to add value.  
           [0007]    A multimedia communications system that provides for adding value to a prepaid account includes a first processor, a second processor and a third processor. The first processor monitors a prepaid account associated with the user to determine whether a balance for the prepaid account is below a predetermined threshold. The prepaid account is monitored during a first communications session that uses the prepaid account. If the balance is below the predetermined threshold, as determined by the first processor, a second processor notifies a user terminal of the status of the balance. A third processor initiates an interactive session with the user terminal to add value to the balance for the prepaid account. During the interactive session with the user terminal, communications are maintained for the first communications session. That is, the first communications session is uninterrupted during a period when the prepaid account is replenished. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a multimedia communications system  100  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method to replenish a prepaid account balance for a multimedia session in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a multimedia communications system  100  in accordance with the present invention. Users interact with multimedia communications system  100  via user equipment or user terminals  102 . Multimedia communications system  100  includes a third generation wireless system, as defined and proposed by the 3 rd  Generation Partnership Program, also known as 3GPP (see 3gpp.org). User terminal  102  is typically a mobile device that includes a user interface and an interface for coupling to communications system  100 . The user interface of user terminal  102  is typically referred to as terminal equipment and generally includes an audio interface, such as a microphone and speakers, a visual interface, such as a display, and a user input interface, such as a keyboard or touch pad. The interface for coupling to communications system  100  is typically referred to as a mobile terminal and generally includes an over-the-air interface for transmitting and receiving data.  
         [0011]    The over-the-air interface of user terminal  102  is used to communicate with base stations  104 . In the preferred embodiment, base stations  104  include an over-the-air interface that is complementary to the over-the-air interface of user terminal  102 . Most preferably, user terminal  102  and base stations  104  communicate over the air using a packet-based protocol.  
         [0012]    Multimedia communications system  100  provides users with a variety of options for communication. Users are able to transmit and receive multimedia communications, including audio, voice, video, and all types of data. Multimedia communications system  100  provides access to data networks, such as the Internet, and public telephone networks, including wireless networks.  
         [0013]    In the preferred embodiment, the multimedia communications that are directed to and received from users via base stations  104  are coordinated and transferred using a serving GPRS (GSM Packet Radio System) support node (SGSN)  106 , a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN)  110 , a call session control function (CSCF)  114  and a home subscriber system  118 . SGSN  106  coordinates multimedia transmissions to and from base stations  104 . SGSN  106  is coupled to GGSN  110  via a data link  112 . GGSN  110  interfaces the multimedia communications to and from SGSN  106  to other networks. Call session control function  114  is coupled to GGSN  110  via a data link  116 . Call session control function  114  coordinates and executes a signaling protocol used to establish, maintain and control calls or sessions for communications involving user terminals  102 . A home subscriber system  118  is coupled to call session control function  114  via a data link  120 . Home subscriber system  118  includes subscriber profile information, including information traditionally associated with a home location register for a mobile subscriber.  
         [0014]    To facilitate ancillary and support functions within multimedia communications system  100 , a charging gateway function (CGF)  122  and a media resource function  124  are provided. Charging gateway function  122  is coupled to SGSN  106  and GGSN  110  to account for packets passing through these elements for accounting, billing and other purposes. Media resource function  124  is coupled to call session control function  114  and to GGSN  110 . Media resource function  124  provides resources for conference bridging, tones, announcements, text-to-speech conversion, automatic speech recognition and other service functions for communications through GGSN  110 .  
         [0015]    GGSN  110  couples user terminal  102  to other networks. In particular, GGSN  110  is coupled to an Internet protocol (IP) network  146  via a data link  148 . Data link  148  preferably implements a packet-based protocol for transfers to a data network. Data link  148  and IP network  146  provide access to any elements connected to IP network  146 , such as, for example, a computer  154 . GGSN  110  is also coupled to a media gateway  130  via a data link  150 . Media gateway  130  is in turn coupled to a public switched telephone network  142  via a communications link  152 . Media gateway  130  converts packetized voice received from GGSN  110  to a circuit-switched protocol acceptable to the public switched telephone network  142 . Conversely, media gateway  130  converts circuit-switched communications received from public switched telephone network  142  to packetized communications acceptable to GGSN  110 . Media gateway  130 , data link  150 , and communications link  152  provide an interface for user terminal  102  to the public switched telephone network  142 . By virtue of this connection, user terminals  102  may be coupled to elements attached to the public switched telephone network, such as telephone  144 .  
         [0016]    The signaling and control necessary to interface GGSN  110  with public switched telephone network  142  is controlled and provided by call session control function  114 , a media gateway controller  126  and a transport signaling gateway  134 . Media gateway controller  126  is coupled to call session control function  114  via a data link  128 . Media gateway controller  126  is coupled to control media gateway  130  via data ink  132 . Call session control function  114  determines based on a signaling protocol any necessary media gateway resources needed for a particular communication or session. These needs are transmitted to media gateway controller  126 , which in turns configures and establishes the necessary resources in media gateway  130  and also provides the necessary signaling to transport signaling gateway  134 . The resources in media gateway  130  are configured to transfer the actual (bearer) data between the GGSN  110  and the public switched telephone network  142 . Transport signaling gateway  134  converts the signaling protocol from the media gateway controller  136  to a signaling protocol necessary for public switched telephone network  142 .  
         [0017]    Applications and services are preferably coupled to multimedia communication system  100  for use in interaction with userterminals  102 . In particular, call session control function  114  is coupled to an applications and services network  156  via a data link  158 . Also, home subscriber system  118  is preferably coupled to application and services network  156 . A myriad of services and applications may reside in or be coupled to application services network  156 , including database services from a database  160 .  
         [0018]    In the preferred embodiment, SGSN  106 , GGSN  110 , CGF  122 , media resource function  124 , CSCF  114 , media gateway controller  126 , media gateway  130 , and home subscriber system  118  are processor-based apparatus with data link interfaces for coupling together as described above and shown in FIG. 1. These apparatus include one or more processors that execute programs to implement the functionality described herein and generally associated with third generation wireless systems.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method to replenish wireless prepaid accounts in a multimedia session in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is discussed below with reference to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1. First, a new communications session involving a prepaid account is started ( 200 ). At initiation, a prepay authorization and balance check is completed to insure the communications session is authorized. Preferably, prepay parameters or triggers are sent to the appropriate processors, including call session control function (CSCF)  114 , SGSN  106  and/or GGSN  110 . The real-time data on resource use is collected ( 202 ). In other words the prepaid account balance is monitored. This preferably entails CSCF  114 , SGSN  106  and/or GGSN  110  periodically sending information on resource consumption as directed by a processor serving as a prepay server. Most preferably, the prepay server does the actual account balance checks and adjustments by translating resource usage to monetary amounts. The adjustment to the account balance may be a function of time of day, called party, or other parameters. CSCF  114 , SGSN  106  and GGSN  110  may send data back directly to the prepay server or indirectly via the charging gateway function  122 . The prepay server is preferably a server in applications and services network  156 . Preferably, CSCF  114  reports call control related data, such as minutes used, called party number and conference facilities used. SGSN  106  and GGSN  110  preferably report data such as bytes sent or received for data sessions. In alternate embodiments, the home subscriber system may provide account information. Also, charging gateway function  122  may provide some accounting function.  
         [0020]    A determination is made as to whether the prepaid account balance is below a predetermined threshold ( 204 ). The predetermined threshold is alternatively selected by a user or by a service provider. Preferably, the prepay server in applications and services network  156  adjusts the account balance according to usage and compares the account balance to the predetermined threshold. If the account balance is below the predetermined threshold, then the user is notified ( 206 ). In the preferred embodiment, the notification is displayed on user terminal  102  or made audible on user terminal  102 . For example, text or an image appears on the display of user terminal  102  indicating the balance. Or, an announcement of the balance is made audible on user terminal  102 .  
         [0021]    Next, the user is given the opportunity to start a session to replenish the account ( 208 ). In the preferred embodiment, a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) INVITE message (as defined by Internet Engineering Task Force—IETF-RFC 2543) is sent to user terminal  102  to initiate a session for replenishment of the prepaid account. Most preferably, the user is offered selectable options for replenishing the account. Optional session formats include an interactive text, audio or video session or a connection over a data network, for example, to a Web site. Replenishment is alternatively accomplished by authorizing a withdrawal from or charge to a pre-subscribed account, such as a credit, debit or bank account. Or, a credit card or bank account for debiting may be submitted during the session. In any event, the user accepts the SIP invitation to complete the session for replenishment of the prepaid account. Most preferably, credit card or other account verification and approval is accomplished electronically by data communications with a financial institution or other instituition, with approval or non-approval being communicated to the user.  
         [0022]    Advantageously, the first communications session continues during the session for replenishment of the account. For example, if a user is engaged in a two-way voice conversation when the prepaid account reaches the predetermined threshold, the user may replenish the balance in the account through an independent interactive text session on the user terminal without interrupting the two-way voice conversation. If the user does not replenish the prepaid account and the balance reaches zero, the first communications session is terminated. Preferably the prepay server communicates this termination condition to CSCF  114 , which terminates the communications session.  
         [0023]    The present invention allows a user to replenish a prepaid account during a multimedia session. When a user is engaged in a multimedia session, a processor notifies the user about a low balance in the prepaid account. A new interactive session provides an option for replenishing the account during the multimedia session. During replenishment, the user can continue the multimedia session. That is, the user does not have to end the session and make a separate phone call to replenish the account.  
         [0024]    Whereas the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various changes and modifications will be suggested to one skilled in the art and it is intended that the invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claim.