Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/609,085, filed Sep. 10, 2012 and entitled “System and Method for Prepaid Account Replenishment,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/312,647, filed Dec. 6, 2011 and entitled “System and Method for Prepaid Account Replenishment,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/365,426, filed Aug. 2, 1999 and entitled “System and Method for Prepaid Account Replenishment,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,095,463, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This application relates generally to the use and replenishment of prepaid accounts that are used to purchase goods or services and more specifically to a system and method for replenishing prepaid accounts for wireless telephone service. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Credit, debit and prepaid calling card services are known and are used to purchase goods and services. Traditionally, prepaid accounts were used by consumers that had a poor or unestablished credit history or by consumers who did not desire to use any credit card. However, more recently, pre-paid calling services are increasingly used by consumers who simply wish to pay cash, who do not want to give out credit information or who believe they will receive a better long distance rate with a prepaid calling card. A prepaid calling service allows consumers to charge telephone calls made from both wireline and wireless telecommunications system against a prepaid account. Calls made through the prepaid service provider&#39;s system are charged against the customer&#39;s prepaid account. Typically, a customer may purchase a prepaid calling card from a retail outlet or from vending machines located at various sites, Calling cards are available in various denominations and by purchasing such a calling card a consumer is essentially purchasing a fixed amount of call time that will be metered out depending on the specifics of each call. 
         [0004]    Prepaid account replenishment is currently supported by schemes wherein carriers sell prepaid cards at retail outlets. There are two different prepaid schemes in use today, one for long distance (LD) and one for wireless. They differ in the method of use. LD prepaid allows the consumer to use any phone to place a pre-paid call. Each call requires the consumer to dial a prepaid access number, which is typically an 800 toll free number. Then the user enters a prepaid account number from the prepaid card and the actual number to be called. The database tracks the amount on the prepaid account. If the balance is non zero the process can be repeated until a zero balance is reached. At that point (zero balance) the account is void and the consumer has to purchase another card with another account number. These account numbers are sometimes called “PINS”. The wireless prepaid operation is different in that the wireless consumer is only allowed to place and receive the prepaid calls from one wireless telephone. The consumer purchases a prepaid card as in the LD prepaid case and then calls an 800 number. For wireless prepaid, the user enters the telephone number of the wireless telephone and the PIN from the card. From then on, the prepaid value is associated with the wireless telephone and not with the prepaid account, and the wireless phone can be used in a normal manner to place calls. Typically, a wireless customer buys a wireless phone and is provided with a prepaid card. The customer then breaks a seat on the card to reveal a code. The customer may then call a toll-free number provided with the card to activate the account. To activate the account the customer has to provide his telephone number and the code on the card. The wireless service provider then correlates the code with a database to determine the amount on the card and credits the customer&#39;s wireless telephone with the purchased amount. The customer may then utilize wireless services of the carrier against that account up to the balance in the customer&#39;s prepaid account. Once such an account has been credited to the wireless phone account, the physical card itself becomes useless and is disposable. 
         [0005]    Once the customer has used up the balance in the prepaid account, he has to purchase another card from the retail outlet and go through the same process of replenishing the account. There are many problems inherent in the prior art. The customers have to find a retail outlet that sells such cards every time the customer desires to replenish his or her account. This requirement can be burdensome, especially for roaming customers. Furthermore, customers have to purchase new cards with new codes and possibly different toll-free numbers to call each time they want to replenish their account. Furthermore, with wireless services, they have to make sure that the prepaid calling card they purchase at retail outlets are accepted by their wireless carrier. 
         [0006]    Since most prepaid calling cards are purchased through retail outlets, there are overhead expenses associated with marketing these cards. Thus, existing prepaid calling cards inherently have a retail distribution chain mark up in the card&#39;s cost. This adds an expense to the prepaid calling card that is not recovered by the user in extra calling time. Thus, there is a need in the art for a system to allow prepaid customers to replenish their accounts at an increased number of locations and at the same time reducing the markup associated with such retail distribution to reduce the cost of prepaid services. 
         [0007]    The existing scheme of selling cards requires that all outlets have stock of prepaid cards. This may have been possible when prepaid phone only operated within defined geographic areas, however, wireless prepaid networks are now being enhanced to allow roaming Wireless networks will allow prepaid customers to roam and use wireless telephones virtually anywhere in the United States and the world. Thus, it is extremely important that consumers have access to a large number of distribution points to enable them to replenish their prepaid accounts or have access to a network that will allow then to replenish from virtually anywhere. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention allows prepaid customers to replenish a prepaid service account at retail locations, at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), via the Internet or even via the wireless telephone itself in one embodiment, the consumer receives a permanent prepaid account card incorporating information that identifies the prepaid account. The consumer adds value to the prepaid account at any location that accepts conventional credit cards. When the customer needs to replenish his account, he presents the card at a retail outlet and indicates to the sales clerk that the transaction is a replenishment transaction. The user provides the clerk with cash or equivalent and the clerk then rings up the sale by swiping the prepaid card like a conventional credit card. The replenishment transaction is processed by a bank connected to the retail location and sent to the replenishment system for authorization and confirmation. The user is provided with a receipt indicating the amount of sale and a transaction number to confirm the transaction. 
         [0009]    The banking network of a credit card provider processes the transaction and forwards the transaction to the replenishment service provider. The replenishment service provider then updates the customer&#39;s prepaid account with the amount of replenishment and informs the customer of the replenishment within minutes of the initial transaction. The customer may now use the prepaid account balance to purchase services and products from participating merchants. 
         [0010]    The advantage of the present invention is that it uses an existing network of credit card services to allow customers to replenish their prepaid accounts. Thus, the overhead associated with prior art systems which use disposable calling cards is reduced. At the same time, the present invention allows customers greater flexibility and provides them with a choice of retail outlets to replenish their prepaid accounts. Customers would no longer be limited to purchasing prepaid calling cards from the limited number of specialized retail outlets that provide these services. Furthermore, the costs associated with maintaining a separate network to provide prepaid services is eliminated. Also, due to the reduction in overhead costs, prepaid services may now be provided to consumers at a lower cost, thus making the prepaid market attractive to more consumers who had until now stayed away from this market. Since the present invention uses a form of credit card transaction to replenish a customer&#39;s account, prepaid service providers may now reach a national consumer base that is already using existing credit card networks. Furthermore, since the account is replenished over a credit card network, any retail outlet that honors credit card transactions can be used to replenish a prepaid account. 
         [0011]    Where the prepaid service is the use of a wireless telephone, the wireless device itself may be used to initiate replenishment transactions. The unique Mobile Identification Number (MIN) assigned to each wireless telephone may be used to authenticate transactions for a particular account. 
         [0012]    The present invention is not limited to prepaid telephone services nor does it require possession of a prepaid account card. Prepaid credit accounts of any kind can be replenished using the systems and methods described herein. 
         [0013]    An object of the present invention to provide enhanced prepaid services to consumers while reducing the cost of providing prepaid services and allowing customers to replenish their prepaid accounts at a number of locations. 
         [0014]    A further object of the present invention is to use an existing network to facilitate such replenishment and to update the customer&#39;s account soon after an authorized agent receives cash so that the customer may use the replenished account within minutes of replenishment, Customers may also replenish prepaid accounts using ATMs or the Internet or by dialing certain feature codes on a wireless telephone. 
         [0015]    Still a further object of the present invention is to allow the customer to use the new balance to purchase services and products over the Internet or other communications medium. 
         [0016]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof; reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of one embodiment of a prepaid account replenishment system; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of exemplary steps followed in a point of sale replenishment transaction; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of one embodiment of the steps followed by a replenishment system to process replenishment transactions; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of exemplary steps followed in a replenishment transaction using a wireless telephone. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a high level block diagram illustrating the components of an exemplary system  10  for providing prepaid account replenishment. System  101  provides the replenishment capability by serving as an interface between with bank  102  and prepaid engine  103 . It will be understood that in the present invention the term “bank” can mean a banking institution or any system that supports a point of sale network. For example, bank  102  is not necessarily a true bank, but it  102  can be credit card transaction processor. Bank  102  maintains a number of accounts for handling the funds involved in the replenishment transactions. A number of geographically diverse terminals, such as POS  104  and ATM  105 , provide consumers and prepaid account users with locations for completing prepaid account replenishment transactions. Point of Sale (POS) terminal  104  and Automated Teller Machine (ATM)  105  are linked to bank  102  and exchange financial transaction data with bank  102 . In other embodiments, users can perform replenishment transactions via Internet  106  and Personal Computer (PC)  107  or via the user&#39;s mobile phone  108 . Replenishment system  101  may be coupled to database  109 , which is used to store information about users, banks, points of sale, prepaid accounts and the like. 
         [0023]    Prepaid engine  103 , which is known in the art and will not be described in detail herein, monitors and verifies current prepaid account balances. Wireless service providers are in communication with prepaid engine  103  to ensure that users have sufficient funds to pay for calls. Wireless telephone  108  is in communication with a wireless network. For example, wireless device  108  communicates with wireless network  110  via Mobile Switching Center (MSC)  111 . Users may also communicate via a wireline network, such as network  112 , using wireline telephone  113 . Other well known wireless or wireline infrastructure and equipment, such as base stations, switching offices and signaling nodes, are not shown in  FIG. 1  to simplify the diagram. 
         [0024]    In one exemplary embodiment, a consumer will desire to use a prepaid account to pay for wireless telephone service. In this example, the user will be issued a permanent account card, similar to a credit card, which uniquely identifies the user&#39;s prepaid account. The user may receive the account card upon purchasing a wireless telephone. Alternatively, the user may already have a wireless telephone and therefore be or she only needs to receive an account card to use the prepaid service. In either case, the user is issued the permanent account card and the card is activated for use. As part of the activation process the card is uniquely associated with the consumer&#39;s wireless telephone or telephones. More than one card may be associated with a particular wireless telephone. 
         [0025]    The permanent account card has no value in and of itself and serves only as a means of transmitting a prepaid account number to facilitate replenishment transactions. However, the account card is associated with a prepaid account at replenishment system  103 , Wireless device  108  is also associated with the prepaid account at prepaid engine  103  and with prepaid account number in replenishment system  103  during the account card activation process. Upon activation of the permanent account card, an initial sum of money is deposited into the prepaid account. The user is then able to make and receive calls via wireless telephone  108 . The cost of calls to and from wireless telephone  108  are charged to the prepaid account at a previously agreed to rate. Systems and methods for completing wireless or wireline telephone calls using a prepaid account are known in the telecommunications industry and, therefore, will not be further discussed herein. As the user makes and receives calls via prepaid wireless telephone  108 , the prepaid account balance is reduced and eventually the user will have to make a deposit to the depleted account in order to make additional tails. 
         [0026]    The permanent account card preferably has an account number that indicates an issuing bank or other institution operating the replenishment system  101 , and the specific prepaid account. In addition, the card may comprise other features that facilitate replenishment transactions, such as a magnetic stripe that duplicates the account number and that can be read by swiping the card through a card reader. The account card may also comprise a Universal Product Code (UPC) or machine readable bar code that identifies the card as a prepaid account card. As discussed above, the account card may be issued with a new wireless telephone or the account card may be issued separately. The account card can be activated by the user in person at a retail location when the user receives the card or the user may activate the card by calling a Customer Service Representative (CSR) or an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. Information, such as the wireless telephone number, the Mobile Identification Number (MIN), the wireless carrier identity, the prepaid account card number and the like is provided to replenishment system  101  to activate the card. 
         [0027]    In the preferred embodiment, the user will be able to replenish the prepaid account at any location that is capable of conducting credit card transactions. The replenishment transaction may be performed by following the steps illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 2 . In step  201 , the user presents the permanent prepaid account card to a clerk at point of sale location  104 . The user also provides cash or the equivalent for the amount of money that is to be added to the prepaid account in step  202 . It will be understood that the user can provide replenishment funds in any form that is acceptable to the retail location, such cash, check, money order, credit card and the like. The clerk rings up the Prepaid Replenishment Transaction or sale in step  203  for the amount of the transaction. To facilitate the transaction, the clerk may scan a UPC code on the permanent account card. In step  204 , the clerk swipes the permanent prepaid account card through an authorization terminal in the same manner that a credit card or debit card is swiped in known systems. The authorization terminal is preferably the same terminal that is used for performing credit card and/or debit card transactions. However, the authorization terminal may be a separate device that is specifically used for the prepaid replenishment transactions described herein. 
         [0028]    The authorization terminal at point of sale location  104  is coupled to bank  102 . In step  205 , transaction information, such as an account number and an amount of funds to be credited to the prepaid account, is sent to bank  102 , which recognizes the transaction as a prepaid account replenishment transaction. Bank  102  then confirms the transaction in step  206  by sending a transaction identification number or confirmation number to the user at POS location  104  after bank  102  has received confirmation from the replenishment system  101 . 
         [0029]    The transaction number will be unique such that it will not be reused for a specified period of time, such as no repeated numbers for  24  months. The transaction number may include checksum digits that can be used to verify the validity of the number. The user may receive a receipt that indicates the transaction amount and the transaction identification number. The transaction identification number can be used later to identify a specific transaction in order to correct any errors that occurred during the transaction, such as a failure to properly credit the designated prepaid account. Preferably, once the transaction is complete and the user is issued a transaction number, the user can immediately use wireless telephone  108  to make calls that are charged against the prepaid account. Alternatively, there may be a delay before the prepaid engine is updated while bank  102 , replenishment system  101  and prepaid engine  103  process the transaction. 
         [0030]    The transaction funds remain in pending or revenue accounts at bank  102  and they are not actually transferred to replenishment system  101  or prepaid engine  103 . Instead, bank  102  will notify replenishment system  101  that the user has deposited a certain amount of funds that are to be credited to a particular prepaid account for the wireless carrier. Replenishment system  101  acts as an interface between bank  102  and prepaid engine  103 . Bank  102  formats transactions into separate transaction records and sends them to replenishment system  101  in real time. Preferably there is a dedicated link between bank  102  and replenishment system  101 . The transaction records include information such as a transaction number or confirmation number provided to the user, a transaction record identification number, date of purchase, time of purchase, location of purchase, amount of transaction, and the like. Each transaction will be processed by replenishment system  101  and the transactions are acknowledged after the information is stored in a non-volatile memory, such as database  109 . 
         [0031]    Replenishment system  101  will authorize prepaid transactions only after verifying certain information in the transaction record. For example, the transaction will be authorized only if the permanent account card number has been activated and only if the location identification is correlated to a list of authorized replenishment locations. Replenishment system  101  will also verify that the transaction identification number is not a duplicate of a previously used number. 
         [0032]    Replenishment system  101  sends a transaction message to prepaid engine  103  for each prepaid replenishment transaction. The transaction message includes information such as the transaction identification number, the transaction amount, and the Mobile Identification Number (MIN) or other identification for wireless telephone  108 . The replenishment system  101  supports multiple prepaid engines  103  each of which may be associated with different wireless operators. A replenishment system  101  database will route replenishment transaction information to the correct prepaid engine based on the association established during the activation process. Each transaction message that is sent to prepaid engine  103  is logged. Preferably, the transaction messages to prepaid engine  103  are sent immediately following the receipt of a corresponding transaction record from bank  102  in order to minimize the time between the prepaid transaction and the availability of funds for prepaid calls. 
         [0033]    Once every day, bank  102  will transfer a reconciliation file to replenishment system  101 . The reconciliation file will comprise the information for every transaction record that was sent in the previous  24  hours. This allows replenishment system  101  to compare the bank&#39;s transaction records with the transaction records that are sent in real-time. Any records that do not match between the reconciliation file and the individual transaction records will be logged to an exception file. A replenishment service provider can access the exception file to resolve any unreconciled transactions. 
         [0034]    After processing the reconciliation file, replenishment system  101  calculates the disbursement of funds and executes an online banking transaction to move funds into the correct accounts. Funds deposited by users will be allocated to the replenishment service provider, the wireless carrier, the retailer at point of sale locations, the bank and other entities involved in the replenishment transactions. It is expected that the retailer, the bank and the replenishment service provider would each receive a predetermined percentage of each transaction or a preselected fee for each transaction. The wireless service provider will typically receive the remaining funds, which will be used to pay for prepaid calls. 
         [0035]    Replenishment system  101  will provide other features related to the replenishment transactions, such as the capability to reverse transactions, to correct transactions or to force transactions. Under certain conditions bank  102  may desire to cancel or reverse a transaction. In such a situation, bank  102  will send a reversing transaction, which identifies the initial transaction. Replenishment system  101  will search for the transaction number of the original transaction and then verify that the account number and transaction amount of the original transaction match the reversing transaction. If the original and reversing transactions match, replenishment system  101  verifies the reverse transaction with bank  102  and sends a reversing entry to prepaid engine  103 . If the original transaction has not yet been sent from replenishing system  101  to prepaid engine  103 , then upon receipt of a reversing transaction replenishment system  101  can delete the original transaction from a queue of messages to be sent to prepaid engine  103 . If the transaction number for an original transaction cannot be matched to the reversing transaction, then replenishment system  101  will assume that the original transaction was not completed and no changes will be made. 
         [0036]    Bank  102  may need to make corrections to the transaction records, for example if a clerk entered the wrong transaction amount. In such situations, bank  102  may manually correct the transaction records by sending a reversing transaction for the original transaction and a new transaction for the correct amount. The reversing transaction and the correction entry shall contain the same transaction identification code. 
         [0037]    In the preferred embodiment, prepaid replenishment transactions will not be allowed when the link between bank  102  and replenishment system  101  is down. However, in alternative embodiments, bank  102  may accept prepaid transactions even when replenishment system  101  is offline. Thereafter, when the link between bank  102  and replenishment system  101  is reestablished, bank  102  will provide transaction records for all transactions made while replenishment system  101  was offline. 
         [0038]    All connections between bank  102 , replenishment system  101 , and prepaid engine  103  are dual so that no single point of failure exists in the prepaid replenishment system. All transactions between and among bank  102 , replenishment system  101 , and prepaid engine  103  will be acknowledged within a preset time limit. Failures during a transaction will be detected when an acknowledgment is not received within the preset time limit. During such as failure, the transmitting device will time out awaiting acknowledgment and either cancel the transaction or resend the information. Any resent information, such as a transaction record or message, will include the same transaction identifier as the original information so that duplicates can be identified if both sets of information are received. 
         [0039]    Customer service representatives (CSRs) for the wireless carrier and/or the replenishment system provider will have access to replenishment system  101  and database  109  to allow verification and correction of individual transactions and customer records. Read/write access to individual records and record entries shall be selectable depending upon the querying party&#39;s authorization to access the record. For example, a wireless carrier may be allowed to access transactions involving only their customers regardless of which bank or point of sale is involved in the transactions. CSRs shall have the capability to update and correct accounts, including updating or correcting the M N, carrier, or account number. CSRs may also search for and correct prepaid transactions. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the operation of replenishment system  101 . In step  301 , replenishment system  101  receives real time replenishment transaction data from bank  102 . This data is then parsed into its component elements in step  302 . Replenishment system  101  verifies the account number in step  303 . The account number verification step may involve a number of substeps, such as using checksum digits, checking that the account is not expired, verifying that the account number is within a valid range and/or that a valid MIN is assigned to the account- If the account number fails in step  303 , then the transaction is logged to an exception file in step  304 . The exception file may be used by a CSR or by bank  102  in step  305  to manually correct any incorrect or missing account information. Once the information has been corrected, the transaction may be resubmitted for processing in step  301 . Preferably, replenishment system  101  includes fraud prevention and control checks in step  305  to identify and prevent fraudulent attempts to credit prepaid accounts. 
         [0041]    Valid account transactions are further processed in step  306 , wherein a transaction message is formulated for prepaid engine  103 . This transaction message is sent to prepaid engine  103  to update the user&#39;s prepaid account balance for future calls. Replenishment system  101  logs the NUN, transaction amount, account number and other information in step  307 . This transaction information is then used to track the replenishment transactions or to generate reports, such as monthly revenue reports in step  308 . Revenue reports may be generated for each carrier or for each bank. The transaction information is stored in a database in step  309 . At preset intervals, such as every  24  hours, in step  310 , bank  102  sends a reconciliation file summarizing all transactions during the period. In step  311 , replenishment system  101  compares the reconciliation file to the log of individual transactions to verify that all transactions have been recorded correctly. An email message is generated in step  312  identifying any exception cases that do not match between the reconciliation file and the transaction log. These records are then analyzed to resolve any discrepancies. In step  313 , replenishment system  101  sends a message to bank  102  containing instructions on how the funds are to be distributed among the bank, retailer, and wireless service providers&#39; accounts. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  also illustrates series of exemplary steps to be performed when activating prepaid account cards using an IVR system. In step  315  replenishment system  101  receives data from an IVR system. This information is parsed into its component parts in step  316  and the account number is verified in step  317 . The account number can be verified on activation by using a checksum, verifying that it is not expired and that the account number is within a valid range. If the account number fails step  317 , then the information is logged to an exception file in step  304  and the user can be connected to a CSR or customer care facility in step  305  to resolve the errors. Once the account number problems have been corrected, the activation process is restarted in step  316 . 
         [0043]    Activation information including valid account numbers is then checked in step  318  to verify that the MIN is valid. If the MIN is not valid, then a message is sent to the IVR to prompt the user to reenter the MIN information in step  319 . Alternatively, the user may be connected to a CSR to resolve the MIN errors. If the account number and the MIN are both valid, then the MIN is assigned to the prepaid replenishment account in step  320  and a confirmation message is sent to the IVR in step  321 . The IVR then informs the customer that the account is active and the prepaid replenishment card can be used. 
         [0044]    Replenishment system  101  monitors all transactions for fraud attempts and logs all fraud attempts to a fraud file. Specialized reports are then generated from the fraud file to aid in fraud detection. System  101  also provides bank  102  and the prepaid service provider an audit trail for accounting of all funds involved in the replenishment transactions. 
         [0045]    In addition to using a point of sale location to replenish the prepaid accounts, in other embodiments users may use an ATM to add funds to a prepaid account. For example, bank  102  may provide replenishment services such as processing of transactions from POS  104 . Bank  102  may also provide a replenishment transaction via its ATMs  105 . Upon swiping or inserting their debit or bank card, users may be offered the typical options of withdrawing, depositing or transferring funds into or among accounts at bank  102 . ATM  105  may be configured to also offer the option to transfer money from the user&#39;s checking or savings account to the user&#39;s prepaid account. The user then selects the transaction amount and confirms the transaction. Bank  102  then notifies replenishment system  101  of the transaction and the user&#39;s account balance in prepaid engine  103  is updated. 
         [0046]    Alternatively, ATM  105  may be configured so that the user can swipe more than one card during a transaction. For example, the user would first swipe a debit or bank card to identify the account to remove funds from and then swipe a permanent prepaid account card to identify the prepaid account to which funds are to be deposited, Bank  102  would then inform replenishment system  101  that the user&#39;s prepaid account should be credited a certain amount. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment, the user may access replenishment system  101  via PC  107  to transfer funds to a prepaid account. For example, the user may access replenishment system  101  through a web site via Internet  106  or the user may access replenishment system  101  directly through a proprietary computer interface or network. Replenishment system  101  would prompt the user for an identification code and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) or password before conducting the prepaid transactions. When activating the prepaid account, the user may identify a specific bank account to be debited for replenishment transactions. Thereafter, whenever the user desires to replenish the prepaid account, he or she can access replenishment system  101  via PC  107  and, after entering an identification code, PIN or password, the user can transfer funds from the preselected debit account to the prepaid account. Replenishment system  101  will then send a message to bank  102  to verify that the funds are available in the debit account and, if they are available, to transfer the replenishment amount to the appropriate pending account. Replenishment engine  101  will send a confirmation message to the user at PC  107 . The confirmation message may include the prepaid account number, a transaction or confirmation number and the amount transferred. Replenishment system  101  also sends a message to prepaid engine  103  to update the prepaid account balance for the user. 
         [0048]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in another embodiment of the replenishment system in which the user adds value to a prepaid account via wireless telephone  108 . In step  401 , the user preauthorizes a specific account that will provide funds to replenish the prepaid account. This debit account may be predesignated by the user during activation of the replenishment account. To replenish the prepaid account, the user enters the appropriate dialed digits in step  402 . The dialed digits can be any length and may include a feature code, telephone number, transaction amount, PIN or other information. Certain feature codes may be correlated to specific replenishment amounts. For example, “*25” may correspond to a $25 replenishment transaction. Accordingly, when the user enters the feature code plus a PIN, wireless network  110  converts the dialed digits in step  403  to a message to replenishment system  101 . Continuing the example, the user may send the dialed digits “*25123456”, wherein “*25” is a feature code and “123456” is the PIN. This information is converted to a message to be sent to replenishment system  101 . Using the “*25” feature code, the system knows that the transaction amount is to be $25. Signals from wireless telephone  108  include the MIN assigned to the device and this information can be used to uniquely identify a specific wireless telephone and an assigned prepaid account. The wireless network further confirms the validity of the phone through existing authentication methods. 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, wireless network  110  converts the dialed digits and MIN to an Origination Request message that is used to initiate the transaction. Wireless network  110  interfaces with replenishment system  101  and then, in step  404 , sends a confirmation tone or announcement to the user to indicate that the replenishment transaction is being performed. 
         [0050]    No call is actually completed to the replenishment system  101 . Alternatively, if the transaction cannot be sent to replenishment system  101 , then a deny announcement or tone will be sent to the user. After sending the appropriate tone, the call connection between wireless telephone  108  and network  110  can be broken while replenishment system  101  attempts to complete the transaction. 
         [0051]    In step  405 , replenishment system  101  attempts an electronic banking transaction with the user&#39;s bank. If replenishment system  101  is unable to contact bank  102  or if the banking transaction fails, then replenishment system  101  initiates an email or Short Message Service (SMS) message to wireless telephone  108  in step  406  to notify the user that the transaction failed. If the transaction is successfully processed by bank  102 , then in step  407  replenishment system  101  initiates an SMS message to wireless telephone  108  indicating that the replenishment transaction was completed. The SMS message may comprise a transaction number, the amount transferred or other such information. In step  408 , replenishment system  101  sends a message to prepaid engine  103  to update the prepaid account balance for the user. In step  409 , bank  102  transfers funds from the user&#39;s predesignated account to the appropriate account for prepaid transactions. 
         [0052]    It will be understood that, although the exemplary system described above was directed to the replenishment of a prepaid wireless telephone services account, the present invention can be used to replenish prepaid accounts for wireline telephone service. For example, a prepaid account that is used for wireline telephone services may also be replenished in the manner described above. A user may desire to make calls from wireline telephone  113  using a prepaid account. Whenever the account for prepaid wireline services needs to be replenished, the user may add funds to the account via a point of sale location  104 , ATM  105 , or PC  107 . Alternatively, the user may perform replenishment transactions from telephone  113  by dialing a predetermined replenishment telephone number. The user may then be connected to an IVR system that prompts the caller for account number information and a transaction amount. Such an IVR system may be incorporated with replenishment system. 
         [0053]    If the user predesignated a prepaid account that is to be associated with telephone  113 , then the caller identification (caller ID) functions, such as calling number delivery or automatic number identification (ANT), can be used to identify the appropriate prepaid account. Also, specific replenishment telephone numbers may be predesignated for selected replenishment amounts, such as “1-800-555-2525” for a $25 replenishment transaction or “1-800-555-5050” for a $50 replenishment. Accordingly, the user could dial “1-800-555-2525 from telephone  113  and the answering replenishment IVR system would know that the user desired a $25 replenishment. The answering IVR system would also identify telephone  113 , the associated prepaid account and the preselected debit account information based upon the caller ID from telephone  113 . As a result to complete the transaction, the IVR system would only need to prompt the user for a password or PIN to complete the transaction. The replenishment IVR system would then provide the user with a transaction number or confirmation number. A receipt including the transaction number and the transaction amount may also be sent to the user via electronic, SMS, or regular mail. Replenishment system  101  updates the prepaid account balance in prepaid engine  103  and performs an electronic banking transaction with bank  102  to move the funds among the appropriate accounts. 
         [0054]    It will be further understood that the present invention may be used to replenish any prepaid accounts without regard to how the prepaid account is used. Funds may be added to any prepaid account using the systems and methods described herein. Funds may also be used to pay existing post paid or credit accounts, such as normal phone bills or utility bills including cable or telephone bills. Many people use prepaid credit cards that can be used to make purchases at any location that accepts regular credit cards. These prepaid credit cards may be replenished in the manner described above. For example, the user could present the prepaid credit card at a point of sale location  104  along with a cash amount to be added to the account balance. A clerk at the retail location would then ring up the replenishment transaction for the appropriate amount and swipe the prepaid credit card in an authorization terminal The transaction would be confirmed by bank  102 . In such a transaction, replenishment system  101  may be a dedicated system that is used by bank  102  to perform credit card replenishment transactions. 
         [0055]    Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Technology Category: g