Patent Application
20080085698
Each of the figures referenced above depict an embodiment of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that one or more other embodiments of the structures, methods, and systems illustrated herein may be used without departing from the principles of the present invention.
In the following description of embodiments of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
In general, embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for prepaying for wireless service using an identifier displayed using the wireless device for which the wireless service is sought. More particularly, in one or more embodiments, a customer may use his/her wireless device to download a unique identifier linked to the customer's account. The unique identifier may be displayed on the wireless device and presented to, for example, a point of sale terminal at a retail establishment. The customer may then pass funds to the retail establishment, whereby the funds are effectively added to the customer's account via the association between the displayed unique identifier and the customer's account.
Further, the wireless device 12 may wirelessly communicate via one or more of various wireless protocols. For example, the wireless device 12 may communicate voice data based on code division multiple access (CDMA) technology. Moreover, the wireless device 12 may communicate via an 802.11-based standard. In still another example, the wireless device 12 may communicate data using radio signals.
The wireless device 12 is in effective communication with a wireless network 14. The wireless network 14 may be any type of network. For example, the wireless network 14 may be a cellular-based network. Moreover, the wireless network 14 may be a local area network (LAN). In still another example, the wireless network 14 may a wide area network (WAN). Moreover, the wireless network 14 may be a satellite-based network.
The wireless network 14 is in effective communication with a wireless service provider 18 via any one or combination of the various protocols and technologies described above. As used herein, the “wireless service provider” 18 may be, for example, any one or more of a server, a database, a computer system, and a corporate or retail establishment. In general, the wireless service provider 18 provides wireless service for the wireless device 12. As such, the wireless service provider 18 may maintain an account associated with the wireless device 12. Should there be insufficient funds in the account for a wireless service requested by the wireless device 12, the wireless service provider 18 may at least temporarily suspend wireless service until the account is sufficiently replenished.
In cases when, for example, (i) a wireless service requested by the customer is denied for lack of sufficient funds, (ii) the customer wishes to add funds to his/her account, or (iii) the wireless service provider 18 sends a “low funds” message to the wireless device 12, the customer may use the wireless device 12 to initiate a payment process in accordance with one or more embodiments. The payment process begins with the customer using his/her wireless device 12 to request to download an identifier uniquely identifying the account associated with the wireless device 12 (further described below with reference to
In response to the request from the wireless device 12, the wireless service provider 18 identifies the particular wireless device 12 as being the source of the request based on information (e.g., packet header data) in the request. The wireless service provider 18 accordingly generates or retrieves an identifier uniquely identifying the account associated with the wireless device 12.
In general, the identifier generated or retrieved by the wireless service provider 18 encodes information identifying the account associated with the wireless device 12. In one or more embodiments, the identifier may encode other information. For example, the identifier may encode the current account balance. Moreover, the identifier may encode information relating to an identity of the customer (e.g., name, address, phone number, date of birth, social security number). In still another example, the identifier may encode information relating to the customer's payment history or a maximum/minimum payment amount.
The identifier generated or retrieved by the wireless service provider 18 may be in one or more of various forms. For example, the identifier may be a computer-readable bar code. Those skilled in the art will note that various types of standard or custom bar codes may be used—numeric-only, alphanumeric, two-dimensional, etc. Moreover, in one or more embodiments, the identifier may be a computer-readable label or image.
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The identifier may be displayed at a point of sale terminal of a retail establishment 16. The point of sale terminal 16 is equipped to read the displayed identifier. For example, the point of sale terminal 16 may be provided with a bar code reader for reading bar code type identifiers.
The point of sale terminal 16 (and more generally, the retail establishment) is in effective communication with the wireless service provider 18. The communication between the point of sale terminal 16 and the wireless service provider 18 may be wired or wireless. For example, the point of sale terminal 16 and the wireless service provider 18 may be connected over the Internet via a dedicated connection (e.g., a T1 line, a cable modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL)). Moreover, in one or more other embodiments, the point of sale terminal 16 and the wireless service provider 18 may communicate over the wireless network 14. In still another example, the point of sale terminal 16 may communicate with the wireless service provider 18 via non-computer means, such as by postal mail, by telephone, or by person.
In addition to displaying the identifier as part of the payment process, the customer provides funds at the point of sale terminal 16. The funds may be paid by, for example, cash, check, credit card, debit card, money order, or traveler's check. The payment is accepted at the point of sale terminal 16, and then, the amount of the payment and the identifier are communicated to the wireless service provider 18. In response, the wireless service provider 18 applies the payment amount (less any service fees due for use of the point of sale terminal 16 to make the payment) to the account uniquely identified by the identifier.
Once the customer's account has been credited, the wireless service provider 18 may allow wireless service requests previously denied due to a lack of sufficient funds. Moreover, in one or more embodiments, upon payment to the customer's account, the wireless service provider 18 may transmit an electronic receipt to the wireless device 12 confirming the payment, including, for example, the amount of the payment, the method of payment, the location of the payment, the date and time of the payment, and/or the account balance after the payment.
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Further, the various features and options shown in the UIs of
If the customer wishes to make a payment ST58, an identifier is requested and retrieved as described above with reference to
Further, those skilled in the art will note that in one or more embodiments, funds may be added to a customer's wireless service account in cases other then when the account has insufficient funds. In other words, the customer may add funds to his/her account at any time. For example, if the customer is about go on a trip where he/she will not have access to the Internet or a point of sale terminal for making payment, he/she may make a relatively large payment so as not to be inconvenienced with having to make any payments during the trip.
Advantages of the present invention may include one or more of the following. In one or more embodiments, a wireless device may be used to make payments for prepaid wireless services. Further, the payment amount may be selectable by the customer.
Further, in one or more embodiments, a wireless device may be used to allow a customer to make a cash payment that is instantly credited to an account for the wireless device.
Further, in one or more embodiments, a wireless device may be used to allow a customer to make an instant payment to an account for the wireless device, where the instant payment is made via a credit or debit card not previously approved by the wireless service provider.
Further, in one or more embodiments, a wireless device may be used to request and display an identifier that uniquely identifies an account associated with the wireless device. The identifier may be displayed at a point of sale terminal, where the customer may make a cash or non-cash payment that is instantly, or at least promptly, applied to the account (which is identified by the displayed identifier).
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of the above description, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the present invention as described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be limited only by the appended claims.
