Claims
- 1. A method for effecting delivery of a refill code by a distributor of refill codes to an end user of prepaid telecommunications services associated with a provider of said services, comprising the steps of:
displaying refill code information to an end user at a station, said station being linked to a computer network and having a visual display; receiving a refill code request from said end user; obtaining a refill code corresponding to said refill code request; delivering said refill code to said end user by at least one of electronic mail, facsimile, short message system, visual display at said station, physical display on a printed medium, voice mail, and, transmission of said refill code to said provider in association of said refill code with said end user's telephone number for crediting said end user's telephone number;
wherein said refill code information is displayed to said end user on a web site of a distributor.
- 2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said web site of said distributor emulates a web site of a retailer of refill codes.
- 3. The method as in claim 1, the step of obtaining a refill code further comprising:
encrypting said refill code; and storing said encrypted refill code.
- 4. The method as in claim 1, the step of obtaining a refill code further comprising:
obtaining said refill code from at least one of said distributor, an operator, a provider of telecommunication services, and a random number generator.
- 5. The method as in claim 1, the step of obtaining a refill code further comprising:
obtaining said refill code from an inventory of refill codes maintained by said distributor.
- 6. The method as in claim 1, the step of delivering further comprising:
delivering said refill code upon proof of payment therefor by said end user.
- 7. The method as in claim 1, wherein said refill code has been associated with said provider.
- 8. The method as in claim 1, additionally comprising:
reserving a refill code for said end user prior to securing payment from said end user.
- 9. The method as in claim 8, additionally comprising the step of:
delivering said refill code upon proof of payment therefor by said end user.
- 10. The method as in claim 8, additionally comprising the step of:
delivering said refill code upon proof of payment therefor by said retailer.
- 11. The method as in claim 1, wherein payment for said refill code is effected by credit card.
- 12. The method as in claim 1, wherein payment for said refill code is made to said retailer or said distributor.
- 13. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of:
receiving from said end user delivery information indicating how said refill code is to be delivered to said end user.
- 14. The method as in claim 1, wherein:
said refill code information comprises a plurality of refill code types; and, said refill code request comprises selection of a refill code type.
- 15. The method as in claim 11, comprising prior to the step of delivering said refill code the steps of:
receiving from said end user an address for delivery to said end user of a verification code; delivering said verification code to said address; and, receiving said verification code from said end user.
- 16. The method as in claim 1, wherein payment for said refill code is effected by funds transfer.
- 17. The method as in claim 1, wherein payment for said refill code is effected by charging an account authorized for use by said end user.
- 18. The method as in claim 17, wherein said account is associated with said retailer.
- 19. The method as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said end user and said retailer provides method of payment information to said distributor prior to delivery of said refill code.
- 20. The method as in claim 1, wherein said retailer receives a commission on the refill code delivered by said distributor.
- 21. A system for effecting delivery of a refill code by a distributor of refill codes for resale to an end user of prepaid telecommunications services associated with a provider of said services as authorized by prescribed authorization indicia, comprising:
a refill code inventory containing available refill codes; an interface occupied by a set of refill code types, each refill code in inventory having been assigned a corresponding refill code type and having been associated with a provider; a processor receiving a refill code type request and obtaining an available refill code of said requested type from said inventory and upon delivery thereof designating said obtained refill code as an unavailable refill code; means for verification of said prescribed authorization indicia; and, means for delivering said obtained refill code.
- 22. The system of claim 21, wherein said prescribed authorization indicia is for authorizing a terminal operator of a retailer of refill codes to access said processor.
- 23. A system as in claim 21, further comprising means for granting or withdrawing authorization to said prescribed authorization indicia.
- 24. A system as in claim 21, additionally comprising:
an input device receiving said refill code type request and at least one of an identifier of said end user and said end user's telephone number.
- 25. A system as in claim 21, wherein the prescribed authorization indicia comprises a card.
- 26. A system for effecting delivery of a refill code by a distributor of refill codes for resale to an end user of prepaid telecommunications services associated with a provider of said services, comprising:
a refill code inventory containing available refill codes; an interface occupied by a set of refill code types, each refill code in inventory having been assigned a corresponding refill code type and having been associated with a provider; a processor receiving a refill code type request and obtaining an available refill code of said requested type from said inventory and upon delivery thereof designating said obtained refill code as an unavailable refill code; and means for replenishing an end user's prepaid telecommunications services account with said obtained refill code upon receiving at least one of verification of said end user and said end user's telephone number.
- 27. A method for effecting delivery through a computer network of a refill code by a distributor of refill codes to an end user of prepaid telecommunications services associated with a provider of said services, comprising the steps of:
obtaining a refill code from an inventory of refill codes; displaying an available refill code type to an end user on a web site; receiving a refill code request from said end user; and, delivering said refill code to said end user across said computer network.
- 28. The method of claim 27, wherein a retailer is interposed between said distributor and said end user, said retailer transmitting said request to said distributor.
- 29. The method of claim 28, said retailer obtaining payment from said end user and transmitting proof of payment to said distributor.
- 30. A method for effecting delivery of a refill code by a distributor of refill codes to an end user of prepaid telecommunications services associated with a provider of said services, comprising the steps of:
displaying refill code information to an end user at a station, said station being linked to a computer network and having a visual display; receiving a refill code request from said end user; obtaining a refill code corresponding to said refill code request; and, delivering said refill code to said end user;
wherein said refill code information is displayed to said end user on a web site of a distributor.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from both provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/318,777, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REFILLING MOBILE TELEPHONE PREPAID PHONE CARDS VIA ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION OF REFILL CODES, filed Sept. 13, 2001 and provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/338,691, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REFILLING MOBILE TELEPHONE PREPAID PHONE CARDS VIA ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION OF REFILL CODES, filed Nov. 6, 2001.
Provisional Applications (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60318777 |
Sep 2001 |
US |
|
60338691 |
Nov 2001 |
US |