Title:
METHODS FOR PROVIDING PREPAID TELEPHONY SERVICE VIA AN INTERNET PROTOCOL NETWORK SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2001035605
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed for providing prepaid telephony service via an Internet protocol (IP) network system (300, 500). A first method provides controlling at least one media agent (304) or call routing station/switch (310, 312) of an IP network system (300) for allowing and/or blocking call media streams from traversing through the media agent. A second method provides directing all signaling messages transmitted by a signaling agent (502) or station (510, 512) and all media packets transmitting voice and data communications through at least one common device within the IP network system (500). The methods further provide for continuously monitoring a subscriber's account balance and terminating the prepaid telephony service if the account balance is less than a predetermined amount.
Inventors:
DONOVAN STEVEN R
Application Number:
PCT/US2000/041990
Publication Date:
October 04, 2001
Filing Date:
November 08, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
MCI WORLDCOM INC (US)
International Classes:
H04L12/14; H04M3/42; H04L29/06; H04M3/00; H04M11/00; H04M15/00; H04M17/00; (IPC1-7): H04M17/00
Foreign References:
| US6137869A | 2000-10-24 | |||
| US5864610A | 1999-01-26 | |||
| US5889774A | 1999-03-30 | |||
| US5907547A | 1999-05-25 | |||
| US5923659A | 1999-07-13 | |||
| US5953504A | 1999-09-14 | |||
| US5956391A | 1999-09-21 |
Other References:
See also references of EP 1232648A4
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