Abstract:
Subscribers ( 12   1   -12   n ) may receive combined pre-paid and calling card service offered via a telecommunications network ( 20 ) by dialing a telephone number ( 32 ) of a platform ( 26 ) within the network. The platform stores account information for each subscriber, including a pre-paid balance amount and overflow treatment indicator. Upon receipt of a call, the platform verifies the subscriber&#39;s eligibility for service and provides the service while decrementing the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance. When the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance falls below a prescribed value, the platform determines whether the subscriber is entitled to automatic billing of continuing service costs or whether the subscriber must enter information to facilitate billing of such costs based on the overflow indicator. Thereafter, the platform effects continuing call treatment and billing for such continuing call treatment when effected billing in accordance with the overflow indicator.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/080,534, filed May 18, 1998. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a technique for billing the telecommunications cost incurred by a subscriber. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Presently, telecommunications services providers that offer inter-exchange toll call service, as well regional toll call service, typically charge the subscriber making such calls charged by billing the subscriber&#39;s residence or business from which the calls originated. In some instances, a subscriber may wish to originate calls from other locations yet not have the cost for such calls to the originating number. To accommodate that need, some telecommunications service providers, such as AT&amp;T offer calling card service whereby a subscriber can charge the cost of a call to a calling card account. In practice, telecommunications service providers offering calling card service combine the calling card charges with the other call charges billed to the subscriber&#39;s residence or business. Alternatively, the telecommunication service provider may render a separate bill for such calling card charges. As a convenience, some telecommunications services providers now allow a subscriber to bill calling card charges to any of several commercial credit cards, such as Mastercard, Visa, Discover or American Express credit cards. 
     While traditional calling card service affords telephone subscribers the flexibility of making calls from locations other than their home or office, subscribes utilizing this service do not generally have the ability to budget for the call charges. Typical telecommunications service provider calling card accounts do not afford the subscriber the ability to set a limit on call charges. The credit limit, if any, on most calling card accounts usually is very high, representing the total credit worthiness of the subscriber. Most subscribers that subscribe to calling card service do not want their maximum credit limit on their card as the ordinary budget limit for telecommunication call charges. 
     As an alternative to traditional calling card service, telecommunication service providers such as AT&amp;T now offer pre-paid telephone card service. A subscriber obtains pre-paid card service by purchasing a telephone card denominated in a currency amount representing a corresponding value (level) of service. The service provider issuing the card records the denominated amount in an account and typically prints the account number on the card, as well as a telephone number dialed to obtain the pre-paid service. 
     To obtain the pre-paid service, the subscriber dials the telephone number on the card whereupon, the telephone communications service provider prompts the subscriber to enter the pre-paid card account number. If the account number is valid, and the account has a sufficient balance, the telecommunications service provider then affords the subscriber the ability to place a telephone call to a called party. Upon establishing the call, the telecommunications service provider decrements the account balance in accordance with the running cost of the call. Should the account balance fall below a prescribed amount (representing a prescribed amount of call time, say one minute), the telecommunication service provider then warns the subscriber placing the call of the remaining call time. If the subscriber attempts to continue the call beyond the remaining call time, the telecommunications service provider terminates service. U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,275, issued Nov. 10, 1987, in the name of Zvi Kamil, purports to describe such a pre-paid card service. 
     Unlike traditional calling card service, pre-paid card service affords a subscriber the opportunity to budget for telecommunication call costs. A subscriber that wishes to spend only a certain sum for telecommunication costs can purchase one or more calling cards that collectively represent the budgeted amount for call costs. Unfortunately, traditional calling cards offer no flexibility in terms of exceeding the credit balance associated with the card. As discussed, telecommunications service providers offering traditional pre-paid calling card service invariably terminate a pre-paid card call once call cost exceeds the balance remaining on the pre-paid card. While the some pre-paid cards offer the subscriber an opportunity to replenish the card balance, the subscriber must do so during a separate call. Thus, with traditional pre-paid card service, subscribers run the risk of service termination once the pre-paid card account balance falls below the cumulative call cost. 
     Thus, there is need for a call billing mechanism that avoids the disadvantage associated with traditional calling call and pre-paid card service. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention provides a combined calling card and pre-paid card service that allows for call budgeting, yet affords the flexibility to exceed a budgeted amount of service. A subscriber of the combined pre-paid and calling card service of the invention receives such service by placing a call to a telephone number maintained by a telecommunications service provider for the combined pre-paid and calling card service. Upon receipt of the call, the telecommunications service provider verifies the subscribers eligibility by prompting the subscriber to enter an account number that identifies the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance. In addition, the account number specifies an overflow indicator for the subscriber that determines whether the subscriber will receive manual or automatic overflow treatment for call charges that exceed the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance. If the subscriber is eligible, the telecommunications services provider provides the service while monitoring the cost of the call. Once the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance falls below a minimum level, the subscriber&#39;s overflow indicator determines the nature of the overflow treatment accorded the subscriber. Subscribers accorded automatic overflow treatment continue to receive service even after depletion of their pre-paid balance. For such subscribers, the telecommunications services provider bills “continuing” call charges (those exceeding the pre-balance) to the subscriber&#39;s account (either a calling card or major credit card account.) Subscribers accorded manual overflow treatment receive an announcement advising of them of the depletion of their pre-paid balance. At such time, a subscriber accorded manual overflow treatment receives a prompt offering options for continuing the call. For example, the subscriber may (1) continue the call by charging the cost to a calling card account or a separate credit card or, (2) replenish their pre-paid balance. If the subscriber accorded manual overflow treatment does nothing, the call terminates. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts a block schematic diagram of a telecommunications network for practicing the combined pre-paid and calling card service of the invention; and 
     FIG. 2 depicts, in flow chart form, the manner in which a subscriber obtains the combined pre-paid and calling card service of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 depicts a block schematic diagram of a telecommunications network  10  for providing the combined pre-paid and calling card service of the invention to one or more subscribers  12   1 ,  12   2  . . .  12   n  (where i is an integer). In practice, the network  10  includes a plurality of Local Exchange Carriers (LEC)  16   1 ,  16   2  . . .  16   n , each providing local service to a corresponding one of the subscribers. While FIG. 1 depicts a separate LEC for each subscriber, a single LEC may serve a plurality of individual subscribers. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the subscribers  12   1 - 12   n  subscribing to the combined pre-paid and calling card service of the invention receive such service from an Inter-eXchange Carrier (IXC) network  20 , such as the network maintained AT&amp;T. The network  20  includes at least one, and typically, a plurality of interconnected toll switches, represented by the switches  22  and  24 , that are linked at least one LEC. (Although FIG. 2 depicts only the two toll switches  22  and  24  within the IXC network  20 , the network may typically include a multiplicity of such switches.) Each toll switch, such as switch  22 , that is linked to a LEC, such as LEC  16   1 , routes a call received from its associated LEC to another toll switch, say switch  24 , within the network  20 . The receiving toll switch (e.g., switch  24 ) routes the call to the destination LEC, (e.g., LEC  16   2 ), either directly, if the switch serves that LEC, or through one or more via switches (not shown). 
     The network  20  also includes a signaling network (not shown) that links the toll switches  22  and  24 . The signaling network carries signaling messages, such as call set-up messages, between the switches to facilitate the routing of calls through the network  20 . 
     In accordance with the invention, the network  20  includes a platform  26  that provides the combined pre-paid and calling card service of the invention to those of the subscribers  12   1 - 12   n  enrolled to receive to such service. The platform  26  may take the form of the pre-paid card service platform described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,335, issued on Oct. 4, 1994, in the name of Anthony D&#39;Urso et al. (hereinafter incorporated by reference). Among the elements comprising the platform  26  are a switch  28  and a data base  30 . As will be discussed below, the switch  28  receives and process calls made by the subscribers  12   1 - 12   n  enrolled to receive the combined pre-paid and calling card service of the invention. In particular, the switch  28  verifies if the subscriber is eligible to receive the service by querying the database  30  that contains a record for each eligible subscriber. Additionally, the switch  28  serves to prompt the subscriber to enter certain information, as well as processing the subscriber-entered information to enable the subscriber to place a call through the network  20  to another subscriber. Additionally, the switch  28  monitors the running cost of the call and serves to alert the subscriber shortly before depletion of the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance. 
     To enjoy the combined pre-paid and calling card service of the invention, a subscriber, (e.g., subscriber  12   1 ) acquires, typically by purchase, a pre-paid card  32  in a desired denomination corresponding to an equivalent amount of service. The card  32  bears a telephone number  34  that the subscriber dials to reach the platform  26  in the network  20 . Typically, the number  34  comprises a toll free number (e.g., 800, 888 or now 877). In addition to the telephone number  34 , the card  32  bears an account number  36  that corresponds to a data record in the database  30  that stores the subscriber&#39;s account balance and other information related to the subscriber. (Initially, the account balance corresponds to the denominated value on the card  32  but thereafter becomes depleted as the subscriber incurs call charges made using the card.) 
     The card  32  differs from a conventional pre-paid card, such as the type described in the aforementioned Kamil U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,275, in the following respect. With traditional pre-paid cards, the data record in the database  30  identified by the account number  36  only identifies the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance. In accordance with the invention, the account number  36  identifies the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance and also specifies a methodology (“overflow treatment”) that affords the subscriber an opportunity to continue the call upon depletion of the pre-paid balance. As discussed, traditional pre-paid cards terminate the call upon the depletion of the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance. The combined pre-paid and calling card service of the invention affords subscribers the opportunity to continue the call in different ways, depending on the overflow treatment accorded the subscriber. 
     When the subscriber acquires the card  32 , the subscriber elects either automatic or manual overflow treatment. By default, the subscriber receives manual overflow treatment if no treatment is selected. In selecting automatic overflow treatment, the subscriber authorizes the telecommunications service provider offering the combined pre-paid and calling card service to automatically bill the subscriber&#39;s account for call costs upon depletion of the pre-paid balance. For ease of discussion, the call costs incurred after depletion of the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance are hereinafter referred to as “continuing” call charges. For example, when selecting automatic overflow treatment, the subscriber may pre-arrange with the telecommunications services provider to bill the subscriber&#39;s calling card account, the subscriber&#39;s home telephone or the subscriber&#39;s office telephone for such “continuing” charges. Alternatively, the subscriber may pre-arrange with the telecommunications services provider offering the combined pre-paid and calling card service to bill the continuing call charges to a major credit card (e.g., VISA, Mastercard, Discover or American Express). To afford such automatic overflow treatment, the record in the database  30  identified by the subscriber&#39;s card account number  36  contains not only an indication of such treatment, but the account information needed to bill such continuing call charges. 
     When a subscriber elects manual overflow treatment (or makes no election at all, thereby obtaining manual overflow treatment by default), the record in the database  30  identified by the subscriber&#39;s account number  36  will so indicate. Indeed the account number  36  itself may directly indicate the overflow treatment, by virtue of the number of its digits or their value. Subscribers accorded manual overflow treatment do not enjoy automatic billing of continuing call charges. Rather, upon depletion of their pre-paid balance, subscribers accorded manual overflow treatment must manually elect such billing. As will be appreciated following a discussion of FIG. 2, subscribers electing manual overflow receive a prompt from the platform  26  shortly before depletion of their pre-paid balance asking the whether they wish to continue the call. If the subscriber elects to continue the call, then the subscriber must select a payment option (e.g., a calling card account or major credit card) for billing purposes. Failure to enter such information typically results in call termination. 
     Regardless of the type of overflow treatment, subscribers of the combined pre-paid and calling card service of the invention can elect to replenish their pre-paid balance during or after a call, or prior to a subsequent call. In practice, the platform  26  will notify the subscriber (via an announcement) of the depletion of their pre-paid balance shortly before actual depletion occurs. During the announcement, the platform  26  will prompt the subscriber to indicate whether he/she desires to replenish their pre-paid balance. If the subscriber so elects, then the platform  26  prompts the subscriber enter the necessary information (i.e., the telephone number, calling card account number or credit card number) for the cost of card replenishment. If the subscriber elects replenishment and enters the appropriate information, the switch  28  in the platform  26  will update the record in the database  30  to replenish the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance. 
     FIG. 2 depicts, in flow chart form, the steps associated with providing a subscriber with the combined pre-paid card and calling card service of the invention. A subscriber, having acquired the card  32  of FIG. 1, obtains service (step  100  of FIG. 2) by dialing the number  34  of FIG. 1 associated with the platform  26  of FIG.  1 . Thereafter, the platform  26  of FIG. 1 verifies the subscribers account (step  110  of FIG.  2 ). The platform  26  verifies the account by prompting the subscriber to enter the account number  36  of FIG.  1 . In addition, the platform  26  may prompt the subscriber to indicate the call destination (e.g., domestic or foreign), in order to determine whether the account is “good”, “bad” or is “insufficient.” A good account is one that is valid and has a sufficient pre-paid balance to entitle the subscriber to initiate a call. An account is “bad” if the account number is invalid. In accordance with the invention, a third possibility exists; the account is valid, but an insufficient balance exists. (Previously, an account with an insufficient balance, although valid, was deemed “bad.”) 
     During step  110 , the platform  26  of FIG. 1 verifies the subscriber&#39;s account by comparing the entered account number to a list of valid account numbers. If the subscriber-entered account number does not match a valid account number, the platform  26  of FIG. 1 deems the account “bad” and terminates the call (step  120  of FIG. 2.) Rather than terminate the call immediately, the platform  26  of FIG. 1 may prompt the caller to enter the account number again. If the subscriber does not enter a valid account number after a prescribed number of attempts, the platform  26  deems the account bad and terminates the call. 
     Should the platform  26  of FIG. 1 deem the account good, the platform executes step  130  of FIG.  2  and typically announces the subscribers current pre-paid balance and prompt the subscriber to enter the dialed number of the called party. Next, the platform  26  establishes (sets-up) the call between the subscriber and the called party (step  140 ). After establishing the call during step  140 , the platform  26  periodically computes the call cost and checks whether the subscriber&#39;s pre-paid balance is depleted (step  150 ). After checking whether the pre-paid balance is depleted, the platform  26  checks whether the call is completed (step  160 ). If the call is completed, then the platform  26  terminates the call (step  160 ). Otherwise, the platform  26  again re-executes steps  150  and  160  and continues to do so periodically in succession until the pre-paid balance is depleted or the call is completed. 
     Upon detecting a depleted pre-paid balance during step  150 , or upon detecting an insufficient balance during step  110 , the platform  26  of FIG. 1 executes step  170  of FIG.  2  and checks the overflow treatment accorded the subscriber. The subscriber&#39;s data record stored in the database  30  of FIG. 1 indicates whether the subscriber has indeed chosen manual or automatic treatment. (If the subscriber selected no treatment, the subscriber receives manual overflow treatment by default.) Following step  170 , the platform  26  of FIG. 1 executes step  160  for subscribers accorded automatic overflow treatment. In this way, a subscriber selecting automatic overflow treatment can continue a call, with the charges now billed to the subscriber&#39;s telephone number, calling card account or major credit card. Although not shown, subscribers accorded automatic overflow treatment could receive an announcement after step  170 , alerting them of the automatic “toggling” of their service from pre-paid to calling card. 
     Subscribers that enjoy automatic overflow treatment typically receive an announcement (step  180 ) after call termination (step  120 ) affording them the option to replenish their pre-paid balance or continue using their card as a calling card. If the subscriber hangs up during step  180  rather than make a selection, then the subscriber will typically receive a similar message during step  110  upon a subsequent call to the platform  26 . 
     Following step  170 , subscribers accorded manual overflow treatment receive a prompt during step  190 . The prompt requests the subscriber to indicate whether continue the call as a calling card or credit card call or if the subscriber wishes to replenish his/her pre-paid balance (by charging the cost to a telephone number, calling card or credit card.). Next during step  200 , the platform checks whether the subscriber entered a valid response to the prompt made during step  190 . Upon determining that the subscriber made a valid choice during step  200 , the platform  26  executes step  160 . If the subscriber elected to continue using the card as a calling card, the platform  26  would bill continuing charges to the subscriber&#39;s calling card account, telephone number, or major credit card. Like subscribers accorded automatic overflow treatment, subscribers accorded manual overflow treatment could have the option to replenish their pre-paid balance or continue using their card as a calling card. If subscriber makes no entry during step  200 , the platform  26  terminates the call. 
     The foregoing describes a combined pre-paid and calling card service that affords subscribers the ability to continue a call as a calling or credit card call upon expiration of their pre-paid balance, either automatically, or manually. 
     It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various modifications and changes may be made thereto by those skilled in the art, which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.