Patent Publication Number: US-2005123110-A1

Title: Pre-pay conference call service

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a method, a system and computer program product for enabling pre-pay conference calling. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method, a system and a computer program product for an interface enabling pre-paid conferencing between multiple parties.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      Generally, teleconferencing services are used to provide call conferencing between parties. Typically, these teleconferencing services are subscription based services. A subscriber to a teleconferencing service is provided with an access number and a passcode. The passcode can be an identifier that uniquely identifies a subscriber, such as a pin number. In some cases, the subscriber is required to reserve a time for when a conference call will be performed. Upon reserving a time for the conference call, the number of parties that are to participate in the conference call is also specified. The party coordinating the conference call, such as a moderator and owner, provides each party to the conference call with the access number and passcode. At the time designated for the conference call, each party dials the access number and enters the passcode when prompted.  
      These type of teleconferencing services pose several problems. Often the parties schedule to participate in the conference call become unavailable at the designated time. As a result, the conference call must be reschedule in hopes that at the re-scheduled time all the parties will be available to participate in the re-conference call.  
      An additional drawback to these type of systems is that the number of parties to the conference call is static. Because each party to the conference call has to access the system themselves, the party scheduling the conference call cannot include additional parties dynamically based on needs that arise during the conference call. This requires that another conference call is scheduled to include these additional parties. Alternatively, someone must exit the conference call, attempt to contact the additional parties, provide the additional parties with the access number and passcode, rejoin the conference call, then wait for the additional parties to join to conference call already in progress. As you can see this process is quite tedious and time intensive, resulting in a substantial amount of unproductivity during the conference call.  
      Another problem with these type of teleconferencing systems is that access numbers and passcodes must be disseminated to the parties in advance. For security purposes passcodes must be changed occasionally to prevent fraudulent use of the subscriber&#39;s teleconferencing account by a party privy to the passcode. This also is a tedious task which takes up a considerable amount of time.  
      Other teleconferencing services allow subscribers to perform conference calls without having prior reservations. However, these type of teleconferencing services also suffer from the similar problems as reservation based teleconferencing services discussed above.  
      Thus, there is a need for a method of providing teleconferencing services. There is also a need for the method to provide teleconferencing services on a pre-paid basis. There is also a need for the method to provide teleconferencing between multiple participants. There is also a need for the method to provide teleconferencing between multiple parties under the direction of a touch tone interface. There is also a need for the method to provide teleconferencing services where the charges are based on legs of communication between parties.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      According to embodiments of the present invention, a method, a framework, and a computer program product for providing pre-paid conference calls are provided. The method receives access number data and pin number data. Upon receiving a valid pin number the method establishes a conference call whereby an owner can dynamically add additional parties to the conference call. The method receives a destination number from the owner and determines whether there is a call connection established with a device at the destination number. If there is an answer at the destination number the owner and the party at the destination number are made part of the conference call. If there is no answer at the destination number the owner can enter a reject code that returns the owner to the conference call. This process can be repeated iteratively for a number of destination numbers.  
      In an embodiment of the present invention, the method of providing pre-paid multi-party conference services includes initiating a conference call, receiving a first destination number from a first device, receiving a first code from the first device specifying whether to include the destination number to the conference, and including the first destination number to the conference call based on the first code.  
      In an embodiment of the present invention, the system for providing pre-paid multi-party conference services includes a system operable to initiate a conference call, receive a first destination number from a first device, receive a first code from the first device specifying whether to include the destination number to the conference, and include the first destination number to the conference call based on the first code. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated with reference to the detailed description and appended figures in which:  
       FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary block diagram of a system of  FIG. 1  which can find application according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  depicts an exemplary block diagram of a system of  FIG. 1  which can find application according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary flow diagram of a method of initiating a pre-paid telephone conference according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary flow diagram of a method of including parties to an established conference call according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is now described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings that show exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The present invention, however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Appropriately, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete, and fully convey the scope of the present invention.  
      According to embodiments of the present invention, a method, a framework, and a computer program product for providing pre-paid conference calls are provided. The method receives access number data and pin number data. Upon receiving a valid pin number the method establishes a conference call whereby an owner can dynamically add additional parties to the conference call. The method receives a destination number from the owner and determines whether there is a call connection established with a device at the destination number. If there is an answer at the destination number the owner and the party at the destination number are made part of the conference call. If there is no answer at the destination number the owner can enter a reject code that returns the owner to the conference call. This process can be repeated iteratively for a number of destination numbers.  
      An exemplary block diagram of a system in which the present invention can find application according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , system  100  may be implemented to perform pre-paid multiparty teleconferencing service between a calling party, such as a conference owner and moderator, and conference participants. In the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the present invention, system  100  includes Service Provider System  108 , PIN database  110 , PSTN  102 , device  104  and devices  106 A- 106 N. The system  100  may transmit using the network  102 , any combination of voice, video and/or data between device  104  and devices  106  as well as between devices  106 .  
      In the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the present invention, the Service Provider system  108  is coupled to PIN database  110  and Public Switch Telephone Network (“PSTN”)  102 . There can be a plurality of systems  108  provided at various regional locations, where each regional system  108  is coupled to network  102 . The Service Provider System  108  can provide pre-paid telephone services, and pre-paid multi-party teleconferencing services employing PSTN  102  between device  104  and devices  106  as well as between devices  106 . The Service Provider System  108  may be any apparatus from which, and to which, any combination of voice video and/or data may be transmitted over a network, such as the Internet, or PSTN  102 . The Service Provider System  108  can be provided by a provider of pre-paid telephone and multi-party teleconferencing services.  
      In the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the present invention, PIN database  110  may be any computer that stores PIN numbers as well as structured information managed by applications developed and used by Service Provider System  108 , such as PIN numbers, remaining PIN number account values, telephone numbers, and cost per call between locations. The PIN database  10  may directly transfer information to Service Provider System  108  in response to a request from Service Provider System  108 . The PIN database may be physically or logically connected to Service Provider System  108 .  
      In the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the present invention, PSTN  102  couples to device  104  and devices  106 A- 106 N. The PSTN  102  represents any portion, or the entire, world wide telephone system. The PSTN  102  can receive dialed telephone numbers, such as a pre-paid service provider&#39;s access number, and transmit voice and data between device  104  and devices  106 A- 106 N as well as between devices  106 A- 106 N employing Service Provider System  108 .  
      In the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the present invention, device  104  and devices  106 A- 106 N are coupled to the PSTN  112  in a normal and conventional fashion. Device  116  and devices  118 A- 118 B include, but are not limited to, a telephone or computer. Device  16  and devices  118 A- 118 B can be equipped with DTMF tones capability. In the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the present invention, devices  116  and  118  are coupled to PSTN by communications including, but is not limited to, a telephone line and a wireless network.  
      An exemplary block diagram of a systems  108  of  FIG. 1  which can find application according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2 . In the  FIG. 2  embodiment of the present invention, the Service Provider System  108  includes input/output device interface, and display interface  204  and network adapter  206 , system memory  208  and CPU  202 . The CPU  202  is connected by a bus  212  or other suitable interface means to system memory  208 , input/output device interface, and display interface  204  and network adapter  206 . The CPU  202  executes program instructions in order to carry out the functions of the present invention.  
      Input/output device interface  204  provides the capability to input data to, or output data from system  102 . For example, input/output device interface  204  includes, but is not limited to, input devices such as a readers, keyboards, mice, touchpads, trackballs, etc., output devices such as video, monitors, printers, etc., and input/output devices such as dialer/modems, etc. Input/output device interface  204  enables access by, and use of, PSTN  102  employing a PIN number and an access number of a pre-paid telephone service provider through device  104  and devices  106 A- 106 N. Network adapter  206  interfaces system  108  with network  102 .  
      Systems memory  208  stores program instructions that are executed by, and data that are used and processed by, CPU  202  to perform the functions of Service Provider System  108 . Systems memory  208  may include electronic memory devices, such as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, etc., and electromechanical memory, such as magnetic disk drives, tape drives, optical disk drives, etc., which may use an integrated drive electronics (IDE) interface, or a variation or enhancement thereof, such as enhanced IDE (EIDE) or ultra direct memory access (UDMA), or a small computer system interface (SCSI) based interface, or a variation or enhancement thereof, such as fast-SCSI, wide-SCSI, fast and wide-SCSI, etc, or a fiber channel-arbitrated loop (FC-AL) interface.  
      In the  FIG. 2  embodiment of the present invention, systems memory  208  includes, operating system  214 , data  216  and pre-paid telephone service application  218 . Operating system  214  provides overall system functionality. The data  216  includes account information for all customers of the pre-paid telephone and teleconferencing services provider. The pre-paid telephone service application  218  provides the functionality for performing multiparty teleconferencing and outdialing, providing voice mail and interactive voice response, activating PIN numbers, managing access to pre-paid telephone services, rate plans, PIN number usage and security.  
      The call conferencing functionality allows for multiparty calling using an interface, such as touch tone dialing. Activation of a PIN number includes receiving notification that a pre-paid telephone service transaction has occurred, selection of a unique PIN number from PIN database  110 , associating a value amount from the pre-paid service transaction with the PIN number. The outdialing functionality allows for initiation of a call to a dialed party upon entry of a valid PIN number. A valid PIN number is one that is active and has a balance that is not zero. The voice mail functionality allows for storage of audio messages in a mailbox. The interactive voice response allows for audio messages to guide user&#39;s in using the system. The management functionality allows for verification that a PIN number is valid and has a remaining balance, determining the monetary value of a transaction, and deduction of PIN number balance.  
      An exemplary flow diagram for a method of initiating a pre-paid telephone conference according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3 . In the  FIG. 3  embodiment, the process begins with step  300 . At step  300 , a multi-party conference call is initiated. A multi-party conference call is initiated when the calling party, the owner of the conference call, dials an access number which connects him directly to system  108  via the PSTN  102 . At step  302 , the system  108  receives an inbound call indication that a calling party has initiated a telephone call and instructs the software  218  to answer the call. The software receives information from the PSTN  102 . Specifically, the PSTN provides Service Provider System  108  with Automatic Number Identification (ANI) digits identifying the calling party as well as Dialed Number Identification (DNIS) digits.  
      At step  304 , a DTMF receiver is put up. At step  306 , the calling party is prompted to provide their pre-paid PIN number. The PIN number can be obtained by purchasing a dollar amount of pre-paid services from a pre-paid telephone service provider including, but not limited to, depositing the dollar value into an account set up for purchasing pre-paid services from the pre-paid telephone service provider, and providing the dollar value to a merchant partnered with the pre-paid telephone service provider to receive funds for pre-paid telephone service. The PIN number enables the purchase to receive pre-paid telephone service from the pre-paid telephone service provider in the dollar amount purchased.  
      At step  308 , it is determined whether a timeout period for the owner to enter the pre-paid PIN number has expired. If the timeout period has not expired, the process proceeds to step  310 . At step  310 , it is determined whether the correct number of digits has been entered for the PIN number. If the correct number of digits for the PIN number has not been entered the process proceed to step  312 .  
      At step  312 , it is determined whether the owner has exceed an allotted number of attempts by system  108 . In the  FIG. 3  embodiment of the present invention, the system  108  allots three attempts for the proper entry of the owner&#39;s PIN number. If the owner has not exceed the allotted number of attempts, the process proceeds to step  314 .  
      At step  314 , the owner is prompted that the PIN number entered is invalid and, the process returns to step  304 . If the owner has exceeded the allotted number of attempts, the process proceeds to step  316 . At step  316 , the owner is prompted that he has exceed the allotted number of attempts. At step  318 , the owner is disconnected. If the owner has entered the correct number of digits, the process proceeds to step  320 .  
      At step  320 , DNIS, ANI and the PIN number entered are provided to a database, such as PIN database  110 . At step  322 , it is determined whether the PIN number entered is validated. Validating the PIN number can include, but is not limited to, determining whether the PIN number entered corresponds with a PIN number in the pin database  10 , determining whether the PIN number is flagged as active, and determining whether there are sufficient funds associated with the PIN number to receive a pre-paid service offered by the pre-paid telephone service provider. A validated PIN number allows the calling party access to the pre-paid services offered by the pre-paid telephone service provider. If the PIN number is not valid, the process proceeds to step  312 . If the PIN number is valid, the process proceeds to step  324 . At step  324 , call conferencing capabilities are established for owner to dynamically add parties to the conference call.  
      An exemplary flow diagram for a method of including conference parties to an initiated conference call according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 4 . In the  FIG. 4  embodiment, the process begins with step  402 . In step  402 , a digit receiver is put up. This includes, but is not limited to, enabling a switch to accept DTMF tones.  
      At step  404 , the calling party is prompted to enter a potential conferencee&#39;s destination telephone number. This can include providing instructions to direct the calling party, such as moderator or owner, on how to correctly provide the conferencee&#39;s destination telephone number.  
      At step  406 , it is determined whether the destination telephone number is a valid destination number. If the destination number is not a valid the process proceeds to step  408 .  
      At step  408 , it is determined whether three attempts at entering a destination number has been performed. If three attempts to enter the destination number has not been performed the process proceeds to step  410 . At step  410 , the calling party is prompted to re-enter the destination number and, the process returns to step  406 . If three attempts to enter the destination number has been performed the process proceeds to step  412 . At step  412 , the calling party is prompted to contact customer service The process proceeds to step  414 . At step  414 , the calling party is disconnected from the system  108 . If the destination number is valid the process proceeds to step  416 .  
      At step  416 , a receiver is put up for accept code and reject code. This includes, but is not limited to, enabling a switch to accept DTMF tones corresponding to accept codes and reject codes. At step  418 , one group is outsized to the destination number of the called party. This includes, but is not limited to, establishing a call connection to the destination number. At step  420 , it is determined whether the called party answers at the destination number answers. If there is no answer at the destination number the process proceeds to step  426 . If there is an answer the process proceeds to step  422 .  
      At step  426 , it is determined whether the calling party entered a reject code. The reject code includes, but is not limited to, a set of digits, a set of symbols and a combination thereof, on the calling party&#39;s device, such as device  104  or  106 . Entry of the reject code generates DTMF tones corresponding to the code. These DTMF tones are received and recognized by system  108 . If the reject code is entered, the process proceeds to step  428 .  
      At step  428 , the calling party returns to the conference in progress. The process then proceeds to step  430 . At step  430 , the calling party is in the conference in progress. At step  444 , it is determined whether the calling party, such as owner, entered an add to conference code. The add to conference code includes but is not limited to, a set of digits, a set of symbols and a combination thereof, on the calling party&#39;s device, such as device  104  or  106 . Entry of the add to conference code generates DTMF tones corresponding to the code. These DTMF tones are received and recognized by system  108 . In response to the DTMF tones, system  108  returns to step  402 . If there is no entry of add to conference code the process returns to step  430 . If there is no entry of a reject code the process proceeds to step  432 .  
      At step  432 , it is determined whether a timeout period has elapsed. The timeout period provides the calling party with a period of time in which to enter the reject code. If the timeout period has not elapsed, the process returns to step  420 . If the timeout period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step  434 .  
      At step  434 , the calling party returns to the conference in progress. The process then proceeds to step  430 . At step  430 , the calling party is in the conference in progress. At step  444 , it is determined whether the calling party, such as owner, entered an add to conference code. The add to conference code includes but is not limited to, a set of digits, a set of symbols and a combination thereof, on the calling party&#39;s device, such as device  104  or  106 . Entry of the add to conference code generates DTMF tones corresponding to the code. These DTMF tones are received and recognized by system  108 . In response to the DTMF tones, system  108  returns to step  402 . If there is no entry of add to conference code the process returns to step  430 .  
      At step  422 , it is determined whether the calling party entered an accept code. The accept code includes, but is not limited to, a set of digits, a set of symbols and a combination thereof, on the calling party&#39;s device, such as device  104  or  106 . Entry of the accept code generates DTMF tones corresponding to the code. These DTMF tones are received and recognized by system  108 . In response to the DTMF tones, system  108  performs specific functions represented by the DTMF tones in step  424 . If there is no entry of an accept code the process proceeds to step  436 .  
      At step  436 , it is determined whether a timeout period has elapsed. The timeout period provides the calling party with a period of time in which to enter the accept code. If the timeout period has not elapsed, the process remains at step  422 . If the timeout period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step  438 .  
      At step  438 , the calling party returns to the conference in progress. The process the proceeds to step  430 . At step  430 , the calling party is in a conference in progress. At step  444 , it is determined whether the calling party, such as owner, entered an add to conference code. The add to conference code includes but is not limited to, a set of digits, a set of symbols and a combination thereof, on the calling party&#39;s device, such as device  104  or  106 . Entry of the add to conference code generates DTMF tones corresponding to the code. These DTMF tones are received and recognized by system  108 . In response to the DTMF tones, system  108  returns to step  402 . If there is no entry of add to conference code the process returns to step  430 . If the accept code is entered, the process proceeds to step  424 .  
      At step  424 , the cost of the conference call is re-rated. This includes taking into consideration the cost for the additional leg of telephone service that includes the destination number. At step  440 , the called party at the destination number is included in the conference in progress.  
      At step  442 , it is determined whether the calling party, such as owner, entered an add to conference code. The add to conference code includes but is not limited to, a set of digits, a set of symbols and a combination thereof, on the calling party&#39;s device, such as device  104  or  106 . Entry of the add to conference code generates DTMF tones corresponding to the code. These DTMF tones are received and recognized by system  108 . In response to the DTMF tones, system  108  returns to step  402 . If there is no entry of add to conference code the process returns to step  440 .  
      While specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art that changes can be made to those embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.