Patent EA-003432-B1 (EA)
Title: Enhanced communication platform and a communication method using the platform
Inventor: JOYCE SIMON JAMES
IPC: G07F7/08
Filed: 1999-09-14
Abstract: 1. A communication method using an enhanced services platform for providing prepaid services and commercial transactions via a plurality of networks, comprising: accepting, via the enhanced services platform, a request from an authenticated user for providing at least one of a communication service, a commercial transaction and user account information, the request originating from any one of a plurality of networks of different types; verifying, via the enhanced services platform, that the authenticated user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service, the commercial transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the authenticated user has a sufficient amount available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the commercial transaction; providing, via the enhanced services platform, the at least one of the communication service, the commercial transaction and the user account information based upon said accepting and verifying; charging, via the enhanced services platform, an authorized account associated with the authenticated user for providing the at least one of the communication service and the commercial transaction, said charging including using rating engines for dynamically calculating usage charges associated with at least the communication service; and processing, via the enhanced services platform, real-time settlement data for the at least one of the communication service and commercial transaction. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of a communication and commercial transaction is provided by any one of a plurality of different service and transaction providers. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein accepting a request and providing the at least one of the communication service and commercial transaction is accomplished through a wireless communication network. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein accepting a request and providing the at least one of the communication service and commercial transaction is accomplished through a global or wide area computer network. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein accepting a request and providing the at least one of the communication service and commercial transaction is accomplished through a landline communication network. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein accepting a request and providing the at least one of the communication service and commercial transaction is accomplished through at least one of a plurality of networks comprising: a landline communication network; a wireless communication network; or a global or wide area computer network. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein charging an authorized account comprises decrementing a charge from a user pre-paid account or adding a charge to a user credit account. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication service to be provided comprises at least one of a wireless telecommunication service and a landline telecommunication service. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication service to be provided comprises an Internet service. 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing services, via the enhanced services platform, of at least one of user account management functions, payment administration functions, rate plan functions, and security functions. 11. A method of providing pre-paid communication services via a network or networks, the method comprising: receiving from a user a personal identification number; authenticating the personal identification number; accepting, on an enhanced services platform, from the user, upon authentication of the personal identification number, at least one of a request for a communication service, a commercial transaction and a request for user account information originating from any one of a plurality of networks of different types, wherein a user requesting account information includes at least one of a service customer, a transaction customer, a service provider, and a transaction provider; verifying, by the enhanced services platform, that the user is authorized to receive the at least one of the communication service, the commercial transaction, and the user account information, and that an account linked to the personal identification number has sufficient value to pay for the least one of the communication service and commercial transaction; providing, by the enhanced services platform, the at least one of the communication service, the commercial transaction and the user account information to the authorized user via a network or networks comprising at least the Internet; and charging, via the enhanced services platform, an authorized user account for providing the at least one of the communication service and the commercial transaction. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of providing the communication service is accomplished through at least one of a network or networks further comprising: a landline communication network; a wireless communication network; a wide area network; a global computer network; a cable network; or a satellite network. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said providing step uses a high level application programming interface executing on the enhanced services platform independent of any hardware connecting the platform to the network or networks. 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of charging comprises decrementing a charge from an online pre-paid user account or adding a charge to an online credit account. 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the communication services comprise at least one of: out-calling functions; Internet services; voice mail functions; and call conferencing functions. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the communication services further comprise at least one of: administration functions; card management functions; account management functions; external carrier and rate plan functions; sales administration functions; and system security functions. 17.The method according to claim 15, wherein the communication services are accessed with a personal identification number access card. 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the enhanced services platform is an interactive voice response system. 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the communication services are accessed by a user through any type of switch, without upgrading the switch. 20. The method according to claim 11, wherein said providing step uses a high level application programming interface executing on the enhanced services platform independent of any hardware connecting the platform to the switch. 21. The method according to claim 11, wherein the communication services at least one of comprise: call forwarding functions; call waiting functions; automatic alarm functions; abbreviated dialing functions; voice mail functions; call conferencing functions; call acceptance/rejection functions; call back functions; password functions; and interception functions. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the communication services are accessed by a user with a personal identification number access card. 23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the enhanced services platform is an interactive voice response system. 24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the enhanced communication services are accessed by a user through any type of switch, without upgrading the switch. 25. A telephony platform providing pre-paid telecommunication services to users, the telephony platform comprising: an input device to receive a personal identification number from a user, to receive at least one of an enhanced telecommunication service selection from a user from a plurality of enhanced telecommunication services, a commercial transaction and a user request for user account information, wherein a user requesting account information includes at least one of a service customer, a transaction customer, a service provider, and a transaction provider; a storage device storing account data related to the user; a verification module to authenticate the personal identification number input by the input device, to verify that the user is authorized to receive the user-selected enhanced telecommunication service, the commercial transaction, and/or the user account information, and to verify that the stored account data comprises an account balance sufficient to pay for the user-selected enhanced telecommunication service; and a processor programmed to provide the user-selected enhanced telecommunication service, the commercial transaction, and/or the user-requested account information to the user, via a network or networks comprising at least the Internet, upon successful completion of the verification module's authenticating an input number and verifying an authorized user. 26. The platform according to claim 25, wherein the telephony platform is coupled to at least one of a network or networks further comprising: a landline communication network; a wireless communication network; a wide area network; a global computer network; a cable network; or a satellite network. 27. The platform according to claim 26, further comprising a high level application programming interface, wherein the telephony platform is independent of any hardware coupling the platform to the network or networks. 28. The platform according to claim 25, wherein the processor is programmed to include the cost of providing the user-selected enhanced telecommunication service in the user's account data. 29. The platform according to claim 25, wherein the enhanced telecommunication services further comprise at least one of: out-calling functions; voice mail functions; and call conferencing functions. 30. The platform according to claim 29, wherein the enhanced telecommunication services further comprise at least one of: adm