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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing
access to a voice mailbox associated with a pre-paid mobile phone
subscriber's account after the expiration of the subscriber's credits.
A call processing system may be configured to receive a call from
a calling party and to connect the call to a voice mailbox system.
The call processing system may allow the calling party to record
a voice message that can subsequently be accessed by the subscriber
for an access fee. The call processing center may also be configured
to allow the calling party to add credit to the subscriber's account.
Access fees are paid and credits are added to the account by way
of pre-paid calling cards, smart cards, credit cards, debit cards,
electronic fund transfers.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
I claim:
1. A method for providing access to a voicemail backup system associated
with a pre-paid mobile phone account, comprising: determining whether
an amount of credits associated with the account has reached a triggering
amount; determining whether an existing voice mailbox is associated
with the account; keeping the associated voice mailbox active after
the account balance has reached the triggering amount when the existing
voice mailbox is associated with the account; providing a new service
comprising, associating a newly created voice mailbox with the account,
when no existing voice mailbox is associated with the account; and
routing calls made to the account, to either the existing, or the
newly created voice mailbox.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving
payment for access to the voice mailbox on a pay as you go basis
after the account has reached a zero balance.
3. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable
instructions for performing the method of claim 1.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of limiting
the duration of allowed access to the voice mailbox after the account
has reached a zero balance.
5. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable
instructions for performing the method of claim 4.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of establishing
a tolled access number associated with the account.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein an access fee is paid by a toll
charge billed to a phone bill, a prepaid calling card, a credit
card or a debit card.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: receiving
an incoming call; requesting an access code to be entered; verifying
that the entered access code is valid; and determining the features
available for the calling party based on the entered access code.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the features available are selected
from one of the group consisting of recording an outgoing greeting,
playing all messages left for the subscriber, adding credits to
the account, and leaving messages for the subscriber.
10. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable
instructions for performing the method of claim 8.
11. A system for providing access to a voicemail backup system
associated with a pre-paid mobile phone account, comprising: means
for determining whether an amount of credits associated with the
account has reached a triggering amount; means for placing a system-initiated
outgoing contact to a predetermined party; means for determining
whether the predetermined party provides payment to add credits
to the account if the party receives the outgoing contact; means
for adding the credits to the account if the predetermined party
provides the payment; means for determining when an existing in
voice mailbox is associated with the account if the predetermined
party is not contacted or if the party does not provide payment;
means for associating a newly created voice mailbox with the account
when no existing voice mailbox is associated with the account; and
means for routing calls made to the account, to either the existing,
or the newly created voice mailbox.
12. The system of claim 11, further comprising means for receiving
payment for access to the voice mailbox on a pay as you go basis
after the account has reached a zero balance.
13. The system of claim 11, where the outgoing contact is attempted
by means of a phone call by a live operator, an automated interactive
voice response unit solicitation, or an e-mail to the predetermined
party.
14. The system of claim 11, further comprising means to provide
the predetermined party with the phone number associated with the
account and a personal identification number to allow the predetermined
party to add credit to the account.
15. The system of claim 14 where the personal identification number
is issued to the subscriber for redistribution to parties of the
subscriber's choice.
16. The system of claim 11, where the predetermined party adds
credit to the account by a credit card, debit card, prepaid calling
card, electronic funds transfer from the predetermined party's checking
account, or a charge to the predetermined party's phone account.
17. The system of claim 11 further comprising means for limiting
the duration of allowed access to the voice mailbox after the account
has reached a zero balance.
18. The system of claim 11, further comprising means for establishing
a tolled access number associated with the account.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein an access fee is paid by the
subscriber through a toll charge, a prepaid calling card, a credit
card, or a debit card.
20. The system of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: means
for receiving an incoming call; means for requesting an access code
to be entered; means for verifying that the entered access code
is valid; and means for determining the features available for the
calling party based on the entered access code.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the features available include
recording an outgoing message, playing messages left for the subscriber,
adding credits to the account, and leaving messages for the subscriber.
22. A system for providing access to a voicemail backup system
associated with a pre-paid mobile phone account, comprising: a call
processing system for determining whether an amount of credits associated
with a subscriber's account has reached a triggering amount; a telecommunication
interface for placing a system-initiated outgoing contact to predetermined
party; a payment processing module for determining whether the contacted
party provides payment to add credits to the subscriber's account
if the contacted party answer the outgoing contact; a payment processing
module for adding the credits to the subscriber's account if the
contacted party provides the payment; a voice mail database for
determining whether an existing voice mailbox is associated with
the subscriber's account if the called party does not answer or
if the contacted party does not provide payment; a voice mail database
for associating a newly created voice mailbox with the subscriber's
account when no existing voice mailbox is associated with the subscriber's
account; and a personal identification number database for establishing
access codes corresponding to different levels of access to features
in either the existing, or the newly created voice mailbox.
23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a personal identification
number database for providing the access codes to the subscriber
or another predetermined party.
24. The system of claim 22, further comprising a call processing
system for establishing a tolled access number associated with the
subscriber's account.
25. The system of claim 22, wherein an access fee is paid by the
contacted party using a toll charge billed to a phone bill of the
contacted party, a prepaid calling card, a credit card, or a debit
card.
26. The system of claim 16, further comprising: a call processing
system for receiving an incoming call from a calling party; an input/output
interface for requesting an access code to be entered by the calling
party; a personal identification number database for verifying that
the entered access code is valid; and a personal identification
number database determining the features available for the calling
party based on the entered access code.
27. The system of claim 20, wherein the features available for
the calling party arc selected from the group of features consisting
of recording a message for the subscriber, playing a message recorded
by the subscriber, providing access to all recorded messages, and
adding credits to the subscriber's account.
28. The method of claim 1, wherein the triggering amount is equal
to a zero balance.
29. The system of claim 11, wherein the triggering amount is equal
to a zero balance.
30. The system of claim 11, wherein the predetermined party is
not the prepaid mobile subscriber.
31. The system of claim 22, further comprising means for routing
a call to either the existing, or the newly created voice mailbox
after credits associated with the subscriber's account have reached
the triggering amount.
32. The system of claim 22, wherein the triggering amount comprises
a zero balance.
33. The system of claim 22, wherein the predetermined party is
not the prepaid mobile subscriber.
34. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for routing
a call to either the existing, or the newly created voice mailbox
after credits associated with the subscriber's account have reached
the triggering amount.
35. The system of claim 11, further comprising means for routing
a call to either the existing, or the newly created voice mailbox
after credits associated with the subscriber's account have reached
the triggering amount.
36. The system of claim 11, further comprising means for keeping
the existing voice mailbox active after the account balance has
reached the triggering amount, if an existing voice mailbox is associated
with the account.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to temporary voice messaging
services in a prepaid telecommunication system. More particularly,
the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing
temporary voice mail access for prepaid mobile phone customers whose
accounts are not associated with an automatic means of replenishing
their accounts and whose accounts have expired, through alternative
access voice mail systems associated with the customer's account.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A significant number of individuals subscribe to prepaid mobile
phone networks for convenience in payment options. Subscribers to
prepaid mobile phone networks generally purchase a mobile phone
and pay upfront for the amount of credits desired to operate the
mobile phone. The credits are depleted through the usage of the
mobile phone to place calls, receive calls, access voicemail, and
in some instances the subscriber's credits are depleted when a caller
leaves a message on the voice mailbox associated with the subscriber's
account. Credits may likewise be forfeited for non-use within a
specified time frame, such as non-use within 30 days of adding the
credit. Typically, when the subscriber reaches a threshold number
of credits remaining on the account, a payment may be made to add
more credits without interruption of mobile phone service. However,
when a subscriber's account reaches a zero balance of credits the
mobile phone becomes inactive and becomes unable to place calls,
receive calls, or access voicemail features.
Mobile phone service providers typically give clients the option
to associate a credit card or bank account to replenish the prepaid
account automatically by charging the credit card or automatically
withdrawing from the bank account a fixed amount (i.e. $20.00) when
the account balance reaches a triggering amount (i.e. $5.00), or
by adding credit at a fixed interval (i.e. every 30 days credit
the prepaid account $50.00). However, many persons who use prepaid
mobile phones lack credit cards, or are unbanked, and so this option
is unavailable to them. These persons must add credit to their account
while the account still has credit remaining to keep it active.
Failure to do so may result in the subscriber losing his phone number,
or being charged a fee to "reactivate" the account. In
some instances a prepaid mobile phone subscriber, while not having
the ability himself to add credit to his account, may have a family
member who would be willing to add credit to the account to keep
it active if given the opportunity. This circumstance might be found
where a child has gone off to college and is temporarily out of
money, and the parent would be willing to keep the child's prepaid
mobile phone active if asked. When the account credits lapse, the
subscriber can no longer use the mobile phone to place or receive
calls. Furthermore, when the account credits lapse, the voice mailbox
associated with the account can no longer be accessed by the subscriber.
Thus, a lapse in account credits effectively terminates, what in
many cases, is an individual's only means of telephonic communications.
Furthermore, the lack of access to the subscriber's voice mailbox
can have severe negative consequences if the subscriber's family
or friends need to contact the subscriber for emergency purposes.
Therefore, there remains a need for a system to allow a prepaid
mobile phone user to have continued access to their voice mailbox
after the exhaustion of prepaid credits.
It is well known that prepaid mobile phones are largely marketed
to lower income individuals. Many times these individuals rely on
the prepaid mobile phone as their sole form of telephonic communication.
The families and friends of these prepaid mobile phone subscribers
generally can only reach these individuals through a telephone call
placed to the phone number associated with the prepaid mobile phone
account. When the credits associated with the account are exhausted,
the telephone number becomes inactive and the messages saved on
the associated voice mailbox are purged or otherwise unavailable.
Vital messages can be lost or made inacessible and the mobile phone
subscriber is without means of receiving what may be emergency messages
from individuals calling the subscriber's mobile phone number, and
while the subscriber may not have the minimum amount required to
activate the mobile phone, he may be able to pay a lesser amount
to hear an anticipated message. Therefore, there remains a need
for an associated voice mailbox, with alternative means of access,
so as to allow a subscriber, whose prepaid credits have been exhausted,
to receive and check messages left on a voice mailbox associated
with the subscriber's mobile phone number.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the above-described needs by providing
a system and method for activating or maintaining a voice mailbox
associated with a prepaid mobile phone account when the credits
associated with the mobile phone account are exhausted. Credits
for a prepaid mobile phone account become exhausted in two situations.
One situation may be when the mobile phone subscriber uses all available
credits before making a payment to add additional credits to the
mobile phone account. A second situation is where credits associated
with a mobile phone account have a limited time in which they expire
based on a particular date (i.e., credits are valid only for a thirty
day period).
The system tracks the level of available credits and may be set
to respond with appropriate actions either on the exhaustion of
the credits or when the level of credits in a subscriber's account
reaches a triggering amount set by the system administrator, for
example, when only two credits are remaining on the account. Alternatively,
the triggering amount may reached when the account reaches a zero
credit balance. When either of these states are reached by the subscriber's
account, the system responds by determining the status of the subscriber's
voicemail account. If the subscriber's prepaid mobile account has
an active voicemail function associated therewith, then this active
voicemail account will be utilized by the system. However, if no
voicemail account is associated with the subscriber's account, one
will be created by the system for usage during the time period where
the subscriber's credit is exhausted.
In a preferred embodiment of the system, the subscriber, or an
individual designated by the subscriber, will be notified when the
credit associated with the mobile phone account becomes exhausted
or reaches the designated triggering amount. This call may be operated
through the use of an interactive voice response unit or other similar
telephonic menu structure that allows the called party to add credit
to the exhausted account, before other action within the system
becomes necessary. If the subscriber or the designated individual
cannot be reached or does not add credit to the mobile phone account
then the system proceeds with establishing or verifying the existence
of a voice mailbox associated with the subscriber's account.
Once a voice mailbox associated with the subscriber's account is
established or verified to already exist, the subscriber's phone
number may be directly routed to the voice mailbox. When a phone
call is placed to the telephone number associated with the subscriber's
mobile phone account, the call accesses the voice mailbox system
as opposed to accessing the mobile phone directly. In one embodiment,
the voice mailbox system is operated in conjunction with an interactive
voice response unit. The interactive voice response unit ("IVR"),
may act as the host to the system, providing various options to
the caller including the opportunity to add credits to the subscriber's
account.
In a further exemplary embodiment, access to the voice mailbox
by the subscriber can be regulated through the use of a toll number
(i.e., a so-called "900 number"), or an alternative access
number. In the case of an alternative access number, the subscriber
will be required to provide some means of payment to access the
system through the use of a credit card, debit card, prepaid calling
card, or other electronic monetary transfer means.
Multiple PIN numbers may be established and provided to the subscriber
which may then used by any calling party to access the voice mailbox
system. Entry of a PIN number may be required for a calling party
to access certain features in the system. One such feature allows
the calling party to add credits to the subscriber's account so
that the mobile phone number may once again be active and the system
may return to its normal operating state.
These and other features, aspects and embodiments of the invention
will be described in more detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system in accordance
with certain embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2, comprising FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, is a flow diagram illustrating
an exemplary method for establishing or maintaining a voice mailbox
associated with the subscriber's account after the triggering amount
has been reached in accordance with certain embodiments of the present
invention.
FIG. 3, comprising FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, is a flow chart illustrating
an exemplary method for processing a call to the call processing
system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing
access to a voice mailbox associated with a pre-paid mobile phone
subscriber's account after the expiration of the subscriber's credits.
In one embodiment, no separate charge is made by the system to a
party who attempts to call the subscriber and whose call is then
forwarded to the voicemail system to leave a message, as anyone
calling the lapsed account will believe that the mobile phone subscriber
has merely turned his mobile phone "off". Likewise anyone
calling the lapsed account, who then is forwarded to voicemail,
having the appropriate PIN, may add credit to the account. However,
access to the voice mailbox account's other features are paid by
way of pre-paid calling cards, smart cards, credit cards, debit
cards, etc. supplied by the calling parties or through the use of
a tolled access number ("900 number"). A call processing
system may be configured to receive a call and connect the call
to a voice mailbox system.
Although the following description of exemplary embodiments will
be described in the context of pre-paid mobile phones, it should
be understood that the description may also be applicable in other
embodiments to other pre-paid telephonic systems where usage of
the telephone by the person is dependent on having a positive credit
balance. Thus, the term "pre-paid mobile phone" as used
herein should be broadly construed as to encompass any type of pre-paid
telephonic system where the subscriber's account is terminated when
credits corresponding to the subscriber's account have expired.
The present invention may be used to establish a new revenue stream
for participating phone companies. Presently, prepaid phone service
providers earn no income from client's between the time the client's
account balance reaches zero and the time the client adds credit
to his account to make the mobile phone functional. Utilizing the
disclosed invention takes advantage of this time by providing the
client a means to access messages left for him for a fee, while
still giving him an incentive to add credit to his phone so that
he may make outgoing calls on his mobile phone. A further incentive
may be for the service provider to limit access to the voicemail
system while the account has a zero credit balance to a short duration,
such as 72 hours. As an example, revenue may be collected by a phone
company for each and every access to the voicemail account after
the subscriber has exhausted their account credits. Payment may
be secured each and every time the voice mail system is accessed.
Furthermore, the system creates previously non-existent opportunities
for the phone company to have third parties, such as the subscriber's
friends or family, add credit to a subscriber's account, which beforehand
would have simply been terminated at the expiration of the subscriber's
credits. The phone company also may save on administrative costs
involved with the creation of a new account for a subscriber who
is forced to sign up for a new account after their prior one has
been terminated.
The present invention also provides benefits to friends and family
members of pre-paid mobile phone subscribers. Through use of the
invention, these parties will be able to stay in communication with
a subscriber, even after the subscriber's pre-paid mobile phone
credits expire. The messaging services of the present invention
may allow a subscriber, whose only means of telephonic communication
is their pre-paid mobile phone, to be reached by family members
or friends in the case of an emergency, where before the voice mailbox
account would simply be terminated or otherwise inaccessible.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter
be described with reference to the figures, in which like numerals
indicate like elements throughout the several drawings. FIG. 1 is
a block diagram illustrating an exemplary operating environment
for implementation of certain embodiments of the present invention.
The exemplary operating environment includes at least one public
or private telephone separate from the pre-paid mobile phone ("outside
phone") 104 and a call processing system 106. A telecommunication
system 108 connects the outside phone 104 and the call processing
system 106.
The telecommunication system 108 may be any public and/or private
communication network. In certain embodiments, the telecommunication
system 108 is the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The
telecommunication system 108 may include wired and/or wireless segments
and may carry digital and/or analog signals. In alternate embodiments,
the telecommunication system 108 may take other forms, such as a
voice over IP network or other types of data networks. The various
components and functionality of typical telecommunication systems
108 are well known in the art and are therefore not reiterated herein.
The outside phone(s) 104 may be any traditional telephones or other
communication devices that are configured to interact with a telecommunication
system 108. For example, the outside phone(s) 104, may be analog
or digital, such as Touch-Tone telephones, rotary telephones, cellular
or mobile phones, and the like. In other embodiments, the outside
phone(s) 104 could be replaced or supplemented by other communication
devices, such as personal computers, laptop computers, hand-held
computers, personal digital assistants ("PDA"), pagers,
etc., as may be appropriate.
The call processing system 106 is contemplated as being a processor-driven
device or collection of devices that is configured for receiving
and processing telephone calls. The call processing system 106 may
further be configured for accessing and reading associated computer-readable
media having stored thereon data and/or computer-executable instructions
for implementing the various methods of the present invention. In
particular, the call processing system 106 may be driven by a processor
110 for processing data and executing computer-executable instructions.
The call processing system 106 also includes a memory 112, which
may take the form of any computer-readable medium. The memory 112
may be logically and/or physically divided into multiple units.
The memory 112 stores data and program modules, such as, for example,
an operating system ("OS") 114, a database management
system ("DBMS") 116, an Interactive Voice Response ("IVR")
module 118, a voice mail module 120, and a payment processing module
123. These and/or other programs may be executed by the call processing
system 106 to perform the various methods of the present invention.
By way of example, the IVR module 118 may provide functionality
for responding to voice or other responses, such as Touch Tones,
provided by a caller to the call processing system 106. The voice
mail module 120 may provide functionality for recording, storing
and retrieving voice messages. The payment processing module 123
may provide functionality for accepting payment from a calling party
to provide access to the voicemail module 120 or to add credit to
the subscriber's pre-paid account.
IVR functionality, voice mail functionality and payment acceptance
functionality are well known in the art and are therefore not explained
in detail herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
such functionality may be combined into fewer program modules or
distributed among a greater number of modules than are illustrated
in FIG. 1. In addition, such functionality may be distributed across
multiple processor-driven devices, such as dedicated network servers,
that collectively form the call processing system 106.
The call processing system 106 may include or be in communication
with one or more databases. By way of illustration only, the call
processing system 106 may be in communication with a billing database
124a for storing payment information, a voice mail database 124b
for storing voice messages and a personal identification number
database 124c for storing a list of PIN numbers and their associated
access privileges within the call processing system 106.
These and/or other databases may of course also store any other
data used or generated by the call processing system 106. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the illustrated databases
124a-c may be physically and/or logically separate from one another.
For security, the call processing system 106 may have a dedicated
connection to the databases 124a-c, as shown. However, the call
processing system 106 may also communicate with one or more of the
databases 124a-c via the telecommunication system 108 or other network.
The call processing system 106 may communicate periodically with
the billing database 124a to determine the level of credits remaining
in a subscriber's account. A triggering amount may be predetermined
by a system administrator corresponding to a minimum level of credits
remaining in a subscriber's account. If no triggering amount is
predetermined, the system may operate as described by treating zero
credits as the triggering amount. While the subscriber's account
credits remain at a level greater than the triggering amount, the
system operates as normal.
When the call processing system 106 determines that a subscriber's
account credit level has reached the triggering amount, the IVR
module 118 may operate to place a call to the subscriber. In an
alternative embodiment, the subscriber may designate a third party
individual to be contacted in the event that the triggering point
is reached in the subscriber's account. The IVR module 118 may place
a call to the pre-determined phone number. The called party may
then be informed as to the status of the subscriber's account credit
level. Subsequently, the IVR module 118 may query the called party
as to whether they will add credits to the subscriber's account.
It should be understood that the operation of the IVR module 118
may also be performed by an email message being sent to the designated
third party with instructions on how to add credit to the subscriber's
account, or a live individual calling the predetermined party or
other interactive menu systems known in the art.
If the called party chooses to add credits to the subscriber's
account, the call processing system, 106 operates through the payment
processing module 123 and requests that the called party input payment
information. For example, the IVR module 118 may instruct the calling
party to indicate the amount of credit which they would like to
add to the subscriber's account and subsequently input a valid pre-paid
calling card number, credit card number, debit card number, or other
form of payment.
If the called party chooses not to add credits to the subscriber's
account, then the phone call to the called party is terminated.
The system may then query the voice mail module 120 to determine
if the subscriber's account has an associated voice mailbox. If
no voice mailbox exists associated with the subscriber's account,
the voice mail module 120 may create a voice mailbox and associate
it with the subscriber's account. If a voice mailbox is already
associated with the subscriber's account, then the established voice
mailbox may be used for the purposes of this invention.
Telephone calls may be received at the call processing system 106
through a telecommunication interface 126. The telecommunication
interface 126 may take the form of a telephony line card or other
suitable hardware and/or software for connecting the call processing
system 106 to the telecommunication system 108 and providing the
logical connection between the call processing system 106 and outside
phones 104. The telecommunication interface 126 thus allows the
caller to interact with the call processing system 106 by providing
voice commands or Touch-Tone commands that can be interpreted by
the IVR module 118 and/or other program modules. The call processing
system 106 may be configured with additional and/or other communication
interfaces for providing logical connections to other types of communication
devices and networks.
The call processing system 106 may also include input/output ("I/O")
interface(s) 128 for providing logical connections to various I/O
devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a printer, a
scanner, speakers, a display, etc. A system administrator may utilize
these and other I/O devices to interact with the call processing
system 106. For example, a system administrator may interact with
the call processing center 106 to populate and edit the PIN number
database 124c, download billing and payment information from the
billing database 124a, alter the parameters for the IVR module 118,
the voice mail module 120 and other program modules, etc. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the call processing system
106 may include alternate and/or additional components, hardware
or software.
Thus configured or similarly configured, the call processing system
106 may provide the hardware and software to support the creation
and maintenance of a voice mailbox system associated with a subscriber's
account. The call processing system 106 may be programmed to receive
calls from an outside phone 104. The call processing system 106,
by way of the IVR module 118 for example, may require the calling
party to enter a PIN number and the system 106 may then make a determination
of whether to allow access to the voice mailbox. Using this technique,
the subscriber can limit the number of individuals with the privilege
to leave voice messages for the susbscriber, as the subscriber will
be responsible for paying for access to listen to the recorded messages.
The call processing system may also determine whether the calling
party will be allowed to add credit to a subscriber's account. If
no valid PIN number is entered by the calling party, the call may
be terminated.
If the outside party's call is accepted for processing, the call
processing system 106 may prompt the calling party to indicate whether
instructions for using the service should be provided in English,
Spanish or another available language option. For example, the IVR
module 118 may prompt the calling party to press a key corresponding
to a language selection or to say the name of the desired language.
The IVR module 118 may also be programmed to advise the calling
party that outside calling parties will incur charges to leave voice
messages for the subscriber. Other terms and conditions for use
of the services provided by the call processing system 106 may be
audibly presented to the calling party, for example by the IVR module
118.
When a calling party accesses the call processing system 106 from
an outside phone 104, the calling party may be prompted to choose
whether he or she desires to add credit to the subscriber's account
or to access the voice mail system. By way of example, if the calling
party desires to add credit to the subscriber's account, the IVR
module 118 may instruct the calling party to indicate the amount
of credit which they would like to add to the subscriber's account
and subsequently input a valid pre-paid calling card number, credit
card number, debit card number, or other form of payment. The call
processing system 106 may then add the indicated number of credits
to the subscriber's account. In this manner, the subscriber's account
again becomes active and the subscriber may be notified by the system,
for example, via a SMS textmessage or IVR automated call, that the
pre-paid mobile phone account is now active. The call processing
center 106 may also inform the subscriber of the amount of credits
which have been added to the account. Other methods for accepting
payment though a telephonic system are known in the art and are
contemplated herein. In the preferred embodiments, all payment processing
and verification services involving the calling party are handled
by the telecommunication system 108, for example by a participating
telephone company.
If the calling party selects not to provide payment for the purpose
of adding credits to the subscriber's account, the call processing
system 106 (e.g., via the IVR module 118) may inform the calling
party of other options available on the system, such as leaving
a voice message for the subscriber or listening to a voice message
from the subscriber. An access code and pre-paid calling card number,
credit card number, debit card number, or other form of payment
may be required to gain access to these features. As one example,
an access code may consist of the personal identification number
predetermined by the subscriber or the system administrator that
is assigned to a particular level of access within the system. The
call processing system 106 may provide the access code and the phone
number for the voice mail system to the outside party or the responsibility
to disseminate that information may be left to the subscriber. In
certain embodiments, the call processing system 106 may separately
mail or otherwise communicate the PIN number and/or the "900
access number" assigned to the subscriber's temporary account
to one or more outside parties designated by the subscriber.
If the calling party desires to access the voice mail system, the
IVR module 118 may interact with or pass the call off to the voice
mail module 120. The voice mail module may be configured for recording,
storing and playing voice messages. In certain embodiments, a subscriber
may be allowed only a single outgoing voice message and anyone with
access to the outgoing voice mailbox may be able to hear the message
stored therein.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating environment
shown in and described with respect to FIG. 1 is provided by way
of example only. Numerous other operating environments, system architectures
and device configurations are possible. For example, the call processing
center may in certain embodiments be implemented at or within the
an existing telecommunications system. In other embodiments, various
components of the PSTN may be adapted for performing the functionally
described with respect to the present invention. Accordingly, the
present invention should not be construed as being limited to any
particular operating environment, system architecture or device
configuration.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for determining
whether a subscriber's account credits have reached a triggering
point and the establishment or maintenance of an associated voice
mailbox, in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.
The method begins at starting block 201 which represents the normal
operating state of an active subscriber's account containing credits
greater than the triggering amount. The method progresses to block
202, where the call processing system 106 queries the billing database
124a to determine the amount of credits in the subscriber's account.
If the determined number of credits in the subscriber's account
is greater than the amount represented by the triggering amount,
then the method returns to starting block 201, and the system continues
normal operation. In certain embodiments of this invention, the
triggering point may simply represent the point at which credits
in the subscriber's account become exhausted.
If the call processing system 106 determines that the number of
credits in the subscriber's account is at a level equal to or below
the triggering point then the method progresses to block 204. At
block 204 the IVR module 118 may initiate contact to the subscriber
or to a party that the subscriber has previously designated to receive
the phone call in this situation. While the present embodiment is
described wherein the contact is made via a telephone call, it is
understood that the contact may take place through other means,
such as electronic mail. If, at block 205, the IVR module 118 reaches
the called party, the method progresses to block 206, where the
IVR module 118 proceeds to inform the called party about the status
of the subscriber's account. The IVR module may describe the possible
means by which the called party may add credits to the subscriber's
account. If, at block 205, the IVR module 118 cannot reach the called
party, the method progresses to block 214.
The method then progresses to block 208 where the IVR module 118
may query the called party as to whether or not they wish to add
credits to the subscriber's account. If the called party indicates
that they do not wish to add credits to the subscriber's account,
the phone call is terminated and the method proceeds to block 214.
However, if the called party chooses to add credits to the subscriber's
account, the method progresses to block 210 where the IVR module
118 requests relevant payment information from the called party,
including the amount the called party wishes to add to the subscriber's
account and the means by which they will pay, which may be input
for example through voice responses or the pressing of keys on the
telephone keypad. The payment processing module 123 then may attempt
to validate the payment information. If the provided payment information
proves to be valid, then the indicated number of credits is added
to the subscriber's account and the method returns to starting block
201, and the system continues normal operation. If the payment information
is not valid, the IVR module 118 may request the information be
re-input a second time. If after a pre-determined number of attempts,
the call processing system 106 may terminate the call at block 212
and the method progresses to block 214.
At block 214, if the called party did not add credit to the subscriber's
account, the call processing system 106 may query the voice mail
module 120 to determine if the subscriber's account has an associated
voice mailbox. If the system determines that a voice mailbox exists
which is associated with the subscriber's account, then the method
progresses to block 218. However, if no voice mailbox exists which
is associated with the subscriber's account, the method progresses
to block 216, where one may be created by the voice mail module
120. The newly created voice mailbox becomes associated with the
subscriber's account, and the method progresses to block 218.
Once a voice mailbox is established and associated with the subscriber's
account, block 218 proceeds by determining the means of access to
the voice mailbox account. This determination may be made on a case
by case basis, for example, or may be made based on certain criteria
as defined by the system administrator. For illustration, the call
processing system 106, may continue using the telephone number currently
associated with the subscriber's account as the access number to
the voice mailbox. In other embodiments, a "900 number"
may be established for purposes of accessing the system. Once the
access number for the subscriber's voice mailbox is established,
the method progresses to block 220.
In an exemplary example of the system, separate PIN numbers may
become associated with accessing the subscriber's voice mailbox.
At block 220 the system may associate PIN numbers from the PIN number
database 124c with the subscriber's account. Each PIN number may
correspond to a different level of access within the system. For
example, one PIN number may solely provide the calling party access
to the feature which allows the calling party to add credits to
the subscriber's account. A second PIN number may provide the calling
party the ability to add credits to the subscriber's account, plus
the ability to leave messages for the subscriber.
It is understood that the present invention is not limited to these
options and PIN numbers may be created with any combination of access
levels and associated features. Once the PIN numbers are established,
the method progresses to block 222 where the PIN numbers and access
numbers are communicated to the subscriber or other pre-designated
party. This communication may take place through an automated phone
call, a live operator phone call, or through mailing the relevant
numbers to the subscriber. Alternatively, PIN numbers, with their
associated capabilities, may be issued to the subscriber at the
same time the pre-paid mobile phone is purchased by the subscriber
and the account is activated. Other methods of communicating information
through mail or telephone are well known and not described herein.
After communication of the PIN numbers and access numbers, the exemplary
method ends at block 248.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for processing
an incoming call placed to the call processing system 106, in accordance
with certain embodiments of the invention. The method begins at
starting block 301 and progresses to block 302, where a call is
initiated to the call processing system 106 using an outside phone
104. The incoming call may be placed by dialing the phone number
associated with the subscriber's account, by dialing a pre-assigned
"900 number" assigned to the voice mailbox associated
with the subscriber's account, or some other access number (e.g.,
an "800 number" where the party must pay with a credit
card). While the following method is described in terms of a non
"900 number" phone call, it would be clear to those skilled
in the art how to replace billing by credit card with "900
number" tolls.
Next at block 304, the call processing system 106 receives the
incoming call and requests the entry of an access code, for example,
requesting a PIN number through the IVR module 118. A list of authorized
PIN numbers and their corresponding access levels may be stored,
for example, in a PIN number database 124c. Thus, as an incoming
call is received by the call processing center 106, the PIN number
may be identified and the database 124c may be interrogated based
on the entered PIN number. If the PIN number cannot be verified
as valid to enter the voice mail system, the exemplary method ends
at block 326.
In certain embodiments, any call placed from an outside phone 104
may be accepted by the call processing system 106 for the purpose
of adding credit to the subscriber's account. In such embodiments,
the call processing system 106 must be configured to allow payment
to add credits to the subscriber's account prior to requesting a
PIN number to access voice mailbox services. Again, a PIN number
database 124c may be interrogated to determine if the inputted PIN
number is recognized as being valid to access voice mailbox functionality.
If the PIN number cannot be identified as valid, the call processing
system 106 may allow the calling party to re-enter the PIN number
a second time. After a predetermined number of allowed attempts
by the calling party to enter a valid PIN number, the call may be
dropped and the exemplary method ends at block 326.
If the incoming call is verified through the entry of a valid PIN
number, the method proceeds to block 306, where the IVR module 118
may present a menu to the calling party. In an exemplary example
of the present invention, the menu presented may consist of four
options. The calling party may choose to add credits to the subscriber's
account, leave a message for the subscriber, access the subscriber's
voicemail inbox, and exit the system. Each option may correspond
to a number to be input to the system by the calling party through
speaking the option or depressing the corresponding key on the telephonic
keypad. If the calling party chooses to add credits to the subscriber's
account, the method progresses to block 308 where the IVR module
118 requests relevant payment information from the called party,
including the amount the called party wishes to add to the subscriber's
account and the means by which they will pay, which may be input
for example through voice responses or the pressing of keys on the
telephone keypad.
The payment processing module 123 may then attempt to validate
the payment information. If the provided payment information proves
to be valid, then the indicated number of credits is added to the
subscriber's account and the call may be terminated, and the exemplary
proceeds to block 324. If the payment information is not valid,
the IVR module 118 may request the information be re-input a second
time. After a pre-determined number of attempts, the call processing
system 106 may terminate the call and the method progresses to block
326. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, if the
payment information is not valid, the system may return the calling
party to block 306 to allow the calling party to access other functions.
If, at block 306, the calling party chooses to leave a message
to the subscriber, the method progresses to block 310 where the
PIN number entered by the calling party is verified by the PIN number
database 124c to determine if the calling party has access to the
feature of leaving a message for the subscriber. If it is determined
at block 310 that the PIN number does permit access to the feature
of leaving a message for the subscriber, the exemplary method progresses
to block 312 where payment may be secured from the calling party.
If the PIN number does not permit access to the selected feature,
the method may return to the main menu at block 306. In alternative
embodiments of the present invention, if the PIN number does not
permit access to the selected feature, the exemplary method ends
at block 326 and the call is terminated.
At block 312, the IVR module 118 may request relevant payment information
from the calling party, indicating the amount the calling party
needs to pay to leave a message for the subscriber and requesting
the means by which they will pay, which may be input for example
through voice responses or the pressing of keys on the telephone
keypad. The IVR module 118 may also present an option for the calling
party to return to the main menu. If this option is selected, the
method returns to block 306. Otherwise, the payment processing module
123 then may attempt to validate the payment information. If the
provided payment information proves to be valid, then the method
progresses to block 314. If the payment information is not valid,
the IVR module 118 may request the information be re-input a second
time. After a pre-determined number of attempts, the call processing
system 106 may terminate the call and the method progresses to block
326.
Once payment is secured by the payment processing module 123 the
exemplary method proceeds to block 314, where the messages may be
recorded and stored on the voice mail database 124b. The recorded
messages may be stored in a voice mail database 124b associated
with the call processing system 106, or may be part of an independent
voice mail system to which the calling party's message is forwarded.
After the message has been recorded from the calling party, the
exemplary method proceeds to block 316 where IVR module 118 may
query the calling party as to whether they would desire to re-record
the message, return to the main menu, or exit the system. If the
calling party chooses to quit, the exemplary method ends at block
326. If the calling party chooses to record the message again, the
exemplary method returns to block 314 so that the message may be
rerecorded. If the calling party chooses to return to the main menu,
the exemplary method returns to block 306.
If, at block 306, the calling party, which may be the subscriber,
chooses to retrieve messages from the subscriber's voice mailbox,
the method progresses to block 318 where the PIN number entered
by the calling party may be verified through the PIN number database
124c to determine if the calling party has access to the feature
of retrieving messages from the subscriber's voice mailbox. If it
is determined at block 318 that the PIN number does permit access
to the feature of retrieving messages from the subscriber's voice
mailbox, the exemplary method progresses to block 320 where payment
may be secured from the calling party. If the PIN number does not
permit access to the selected feature, the method may return to
the main menu at block 306. In alternative embodiments of the present
invention, if the PIN number does not permit access to the selected
feature, the exemplary method ends at block 326 and the call is
terminated.
Once payment is secured by the payment processing module 123 the
exemplary method proceeds to block 322, where messages in the subscriber's
voice mailbox are retrieved and played. Voice messages may be retrieved
and played, for example, in successive order from newest to oldest.
The calling party may be provided with the opportunity to skip messages,
replay messages, delete messages and to perform other typical voice
mail functions. After the calling party finishes listening to voice
messages at block 322, the method progresses to block 324 where
the IVR module 118 may query the calling party as to whether they
would desire to return to the main menu or exit the system. If the
calling party chooses to quit, the exemplary method ends at block
326. If the calling party chooses to return to the main menu, the
exemplary method returns to block 306.
As may be seen from the foregoing, the present invention provides
systems and methods for providing voice mail service for a pre-paid
mobile phone subscriber whose account credits have expired. It should
be appreciated that the exemplary aspects and features of the present
invention as described above are not intended to be interpreted
as required or essential elements of the invention, unless explicitly
stated as such. It should also be appreciated that the foregoing
description of exemplary embodiments was provided by way of illustration
only and that many other modifications, features, embodiments and
operating environments are possible. Accordingly, the scope of the
present invention should be limited only by the claims to follow.
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