US20050100149A1 - Method and apparatus for validating pre-pay and post-pay communication services using the same integrated database - Google Patents
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- US20050100149A1 US20050100149A1 US11/005,683 US568304A US2005100149A1 US 20050100149 A1 US20050100149 A1 US 20050100149A1 US 568304 A US568304 A US 568304A US 2005100149 A1 US2005100149 A1 US 2005100149A1
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- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 title claims description 148
- 238000010200 validation analysis Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 92
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- H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
- H04M15/70—Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for validating pre-pay and post-pay calls using an integrated validation database. The integrated validation database receives a pre-pay query including a pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a pre-pay validation parameter based on the pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database then transmits a pre-pay validation response including the pre-pay validation parameter. The integrated validation database receives a post-pay query including a post-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a post-pay validation parameter based on the post-pay account code. The integrated validation database transmits a post-pay validation response including the post-pay validation parameter.
Description
- This patent application is a continuation of pending patent application Ser. No. 09/597,368; filed Jun. 19, 2000; entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VALIDATING PRE-PAY AND POST-PAY COMMUNICATION SERVICES USING THE SAME INTEGRATED DATABASE;” and which is hereby incorporated by reference into this patent application.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to communication networks, and more particularly, to a system for providing pre-pay and post-pay calls using an integrated service platform connected for a portion of the calls.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- As is the case for most businesses, telecommunication service providers desire to increase their profits. Typically, profits are increased by offering new products and services, and by reducing costs associated with providing products and offering services. Communication service providers typically offer services on a very large scale, such as on a nationwide basis. In this environment, communication providers can substantially reduce costs by decreasing the number of network resources required for offering a service.
- Communication providers today offer many types of communication services, including pre-pay and post-pay calling card services. In a pre-pay calling card service, a caller obtains a pre-pay account with an amount such as monetary amount or a period of time that is debited against when a pre-pay call is made. Typically, a caller calls an 800 number to place the pre-pay call and enters the pre-pay account number and destination phone number. In a post-pay calling card service, the caller pays for the post-pay call after the post-pay account is charged with the post-pay call and the caller is billed. With some post-pay calling card services, there is a credit limit that is not to be exceeded for a post-pay account. Current implementations of these services require different platforms, despite the similar functions being performed to implement these services. For example, current implementations of pre-pay and post-pay calling card services use separate and distinct validation servers.
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FIG. 1 depicts a system level block diagram for prior solutions of pre-pay calling card services, post-pay calling card services, and “connect to resource” services.FIG. 2 depicts a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providing pre-pay calling card services. InFIG. 2 , afirst switch 110 receives a pre-pay call over alink 102. Thefirst switch 110 then processes the pre-pay call and transmits a route query for a Service Control Point (SCP) 150 via alink 106, asignal transfer point 140, and alink 108. Thefirst switch 110 receives a routing instruction from theSCP 150. Using information from the routing instruction, thefirst switch 110 routes the pre-pay call to aservice platform 160 via alink 112, athird switch 130, and alink 128. Theservice platform 160 then collects the digits from the pre-pay call for the pre-pay account code and destination number. Theservice platform 160 validates and rates the collected digits. If the pre-pay account code and destination number are valid, theservice platform 160 extends the pre-pay call to the destination phone via thelink 128, thethird switch 130, alink 126, asecond switch 120 and alink 124. Theservice platform 160 monitors a duration of the pre-pay call and terminates the pre-pay call if the call duration exceeds the number of remaining units on the pre-pay account. One disadvantage with this solution is the pre-pay call is extended through thefirst switch 110,third switch 130, theservice platform 160, and thesecond switch 120. Thus, many network resources are utilized, which unnecessarily burdens theservice platform 160 and the 3rdswitch 130 for the pre-pay call to reach its destination. -
FIG. 3 depicts a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providing post-pay calling card services. InFIG. 3 , thefirst switch 110 receives the post-pay call over thelink 102. Thefirst switch 110 then processes the post-pay call. Thefirst switch 110 collects the digits from the post-pay call for a post-pay account code and a post-pay destination number. Thefirst switch 110 then transmits a validate code query for theSCP 150 via thelink 106, thesignal transfer point 140, and thelink 108. Thefirst switch 110 receives a validate code response from theSCP 150. If the post-pay account code is valid based on the validate code response, thefirst switch 110 extends the post-pay call to the destination phone via alink 114, thesecond switch 120, and thelink 124. Once the post-pay call is completed, thefirst switch 110 generates billing information for the post-pay account code. The disadvantage with this solution is the maintenance and cost problems of providing the post-pay call service. In this solution, thefirst switch 110 performs the majority of the post-pay call service such as collecting digits and validating caller digits. Thus, a simple change in post-pay call service would have large costs to distribute the change to each switch that performs post-pay call service. -
FIG. 4 depicts a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providing “connect to resource” call processing services. InFIG. 4 , thefirst switch 110 receives the call over thelink 102 from a user that requires voice response interaction before the call is connected to the called destination. Thefirst switch 110 then processes the call and transmits a route query for theSCP 150 via thelink 106, thesignal transfer point 140, and thelink 108. Thefirst switch 110 receives a routing instruction from the SCP 150 that routes the call from thefirst switch 110 to theservice platform 160. The SCP 150 also transmits a context message containing call information to theservice platform 160 via thelink 116. Using information from the routing instruction, thefirst switch 110 routes the call to theservice platform 160 via thelink 112, thethird switch 130, and thelink 128. After receiving the call and the context information from the SCP 150, theservice platform 160 plays a prompt message and collects information from the caller. Theservice platform 160 processes the call by processing the information and sending a transfer request message to the SCP 150 via thelink 116. TheSCP 150 processes the transfer request message and transmits a destination instruction to thefirst switch 110 via thelink 108, thesignal transfer point 140, and thelink 106. Thefirst switch 110 then disconnects the call between the first switch and theservice platform 160 and extends the call to the destination phone via thelink 114, thesecond switch 120, and thelink 124. - The “connect to resource” solution is further described in a pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/063,902 entitled “Telecommunications Resource Connection and Operation Using a Service Control Point”, filed on Apr. 21, 1998, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
- Current pre-pay and post-pay implementations do not provide enough flexibility for providing new services, such as providing customized greetings that are easily and dynamically changeable. Currently, post-pay call greetings are played to a customer by a switching system and a voice response unit, which cause the greetings to be very expensive to change, and do not provide enough flexibility.
- The invention solves the above problem by validating pre-pay calls and post-pay calls using an integrated validation database. In accord with the invention, the integrated validation database receives a pre-pay query including a pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a pre-pay validation parameter based on the pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database then transmits a pre-pay validation response including the pre-pay validation parameter. The integrated validation database receives a post-pay query including a post-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a post-pay validation parameter based on the post-pay account code. The integrated validation database transmits a post-pay validation response including the post-pay validation parameter.
- One advantage of the invention is the validation systems for pre-pay calls and post-pay calls are combined into a single integrated support system. The time and costs to modify pre-pay and post-pay support services can then be reduced.
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FIG. 1 is a system level block diagram for prior solutions of pre-pay calling card services, post-pay calling card services, and “connect to resource” services. -
FIG. 2 is a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providing pre-pay calling card services. -
FIG. 3 is a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providing post-pay calling card services. -
FIG. 4 is a message sequence chart for a prior solution of “connect to resource” call processing services. -
FIG. 5 is system level block diagram in an example of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a message sequence chart for the operation of a pre-pay calling card service in an example of the invention. -
FIG. 7 is a message sequence chart for a post-pay calling card service in an example of the invention. -
FIG. 8 is a system level block diagram for a system including a billing system and a validation system in an example of the invention. -
FIG. 9 is a message sequence chart for the operation of a pre-pay calling card service for a system including a billing system and a validation system in an example of the invention. -
FIG. 10 is a message sequence chart for the operation of a post-pay calling card service for a system including a billing system and a validation system in an example of the invention. - Pre-Pay and Post-Pay Call System—
FIGS. 5-7 -
FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram in an example of the present invention. Alink 502 is connected to aswitching system 504. Theswitching system 504 is connected to anintegrated service platform 508 via alink 506. Theintegrated service platform 508 includes a pre-pay andpost-pay validation system 512. Alink 510 is also connected to theswitching system 504. - The
switching system 504 could be a conventional communication switch configured in accord with the invention. Theswitching system 504 receives calls and extends the calls to theintegrated service platform 508. Theswitching system 504 then receives a destination number and a validation parameter generated by theintegrated service platform 508 and releases the call extension to theintegrated service platform 508. For pre-pay calls, theswitching system 504 extends the pre-pay call using the pre-pay destination number, monitors a duration of the pre-pay call, and terminates the pre-pay call if the duration exceeds a pre-pay amount indicated by the pre-pay validation parameter. For post-pay calls, theswitching system 504 releases the post-pay call extension to theintegrated service platform 508, and extends the post-pay call using the post-pay destination number if the post-pay validation parameter allows the post-pay call. - The
integrated service platform 508 could be a conventional communication system configured in accord with the invention. Theintegrated service platform 508 receives calls from theswitching system 504. Theintegrated service platform 508 obtains the destination number and the validation parameter for the call. Theintegrated service platform 508 then transfers the destination number and the validation parameter to theswitching system 504. The pre-pay andpost-pay validation system 512 validates the pre-pay account code and the post-pay account codes. In other embodiments of the invention, the pre-pay andpost-pay validation system 512 is separate from theintegrated service platform 508. -
FIG. 6 depicts a message sequence chart for the operation of a pre-pay calling card service in an example of the invention. InFIG. 6 , theswitching system 504 receives the pre-pay call via thelink 502. Theswitching system 504 then extends the pre-pay call to theintegrated service platform 508 via thelink 506. Upon receiving the pre-pay call, theintegrated service platform 508 obtains the pre-pay destination number and the pre-pay validation parameter for the pre-pay call. Theintegrated service platform 508 transfers the pre-pay destination number and the pre-pay validation parameter to theswitching system 504 via thelink 506. After receiving the pre-pay destination number and the pre-pay validation parameter, theswitching system 504 releases the pre-pay call extension to theintegrated service platform 508. Theswitching system 504 then extends the call using the pre-pay destination number through thelink 510. As the pre-pay call is in progress, theswitching system 504 monitors the duration of the pre-pay call. If the duration exceeds the pre-pay amount indicated by the pre-pay validation parameter, theswitching system 504 terminates the pre-pay call. -
FIG. 7 depicts a message sequence chart for the operation of a post-pay calling card service in an example of the invention. InFIG. 7 , theswitching system 504 receives the post-pay call via thelink 502. Theswitching system 504 then extends the post-pay call to theintegrated service platform 508 via thelink 506. Upon receiving the post-pay call, theintegrated service platform 508 obtains the post-pay destination number and the post-pay validation parameter for the post-pay call. Theintegrated service platform 508 transfers the post-pay destination number and the post-pay validation parameter to theswitching system 504 via thelink 506. After receiving the post-pay destination number and the post-pay validation parameter, theswitching system 504 releases the post-pay extension to theintegrated service platform 508. Theswitching system 504 then extends the call using the post-pay destination number through thelink 510 if the post-pay validation parameter allows the post-pay call. - Pre-Pay and Post-Pay Call System with Billing System and Validation System—
FIGS. 8-10 -
FIGS. 8-10 disclose one embodiment of the invention, but the invention is not restricted to the configuration provided below. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations in pre-pay and post-pay call system configuration and operation that are within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate how the principles illustrated in this example can be used in other examples of the invention. A particular reference number in one figure refers to the same element in all of the other figures. - In
FIG. 8 , illustrated is an embodiment of the present invention which comprises aswitching system 800, an originatingcommunication device 810, adestination communication device 820, anintegrated service platform 830, a service control point (SCP) 840, avalidation system 850, and arating platform 862. In addition, the first embodiment optionally includes abilling system 860 for performing billing functionality in the case of post-pay calls. - As illustrated, switching
system 800 includes aswitching element 802, acall processor 804, and some memory/storage 806 for maintaining instructions and data readable bycall processor 804. As would be understood by one skilled in the art, the presented invention is not limited to a particular switching system; rather, many different switching system configurations are possible in keeping with the scope and spirit of the present invention. -
Switching system 800 is connected to originatingcommunication device 810 vialink 815, and todestination communication device 820 vialink 825. The present invention presentslinks origination communication device 810 be directly connectedswitching system 800. Furthermore, although not required by the present invention, there are cost advantages in makingswitching system 800 the originating switching system for the call. Similarly, there is no requirement thatdestination communication device 820 be directly connected to switchingsystem 800. Rather, in most calls provided according to the present invention,destination communication device 820 will be connected to another switching system interconnected to switchingsystem 800 via a public switched, cellular, or private telephone network, or some combination of these networks. - As illustrated in
FIG. 8 ,switching system 800 is further connected to servicecontrol point 840 vialink 845, and tointegrated service platform 830 vialink 835.Integrated service platform 830 andservice control point 840 are additionally connected tovalidation system 850 vialinks service control point 840 is connected tobilling system 860 vialink 865.Service control point 840 is connected torating platform 862 vialink 864.Service control point 840 is connected tointegrated service platform 830 vialink 885. In an embodiment,links communication device 810 and theintegrated service platform 830. - In
FIGS. 9 and 10 , illustrated are message sequence charts depicting the flow of signaling messages in one or more embodiments of the present invention. The operation of an embodiment for providing pre-pay calls is now further described with reference to the message sequence chart illustrated inFIG. 9 . The operation of an embodiment for providing post-pay calls is then described with reference to the message sequence chart illustrated inFIG. 10 . - In
FIG. 9 , originatingcommunication device 810 initiates a pre-pay call to switchingsystem 800. Preferably, the pre-pay communication service is accessed by dialing a predetermined “800” telephone number (e.g., 1-800-xxx-xxxx, 1-888-xxx-xxxx).Switching system 800 recognizes the “800” type call, and sends a route query to servicecontrol point 840 requesting call handling information.Service control point 840 returns a route instruction including the network address ofintegrated service platform 830. A voice path is then established between originatingcommunication device 810 andintegrated service platform 830. For simplicity, messages to any intervening network elements between switchingsystem 800 andintegrated service platform 830 are not described inFIG. 9 . - Next,
integrated service platform 830 requests context information fromservice control point 840 and receives this context information. This context information includes a call-leg count that indicates the number of call-legs that are successfully established. For example, a connection from theswitching system 800 to theintegrated service platform 830 represents one call-leg, and a connection from theswitching system 800 todestination communication device 820 represents a second call-leg. The present invention allows several call-legs to be added and dropped during a single call. -
Integrated service platform 830 then plays a welcome message and prompts the originating caller to enter a pre-pay account code. The pre-pay account code is then received byintegrated service platform 830 from originatingcommunication device 810.Integrated service platform 830 then prompts for and receives the destination telephone number corresponding to thedestination communication device 820. In parallel with or subsequent to the request for the destination telephone number, theintegrated service platform 830 sends a pre-pay query to thevalidation system 850 with the received pre-pay account code, and a pre-pay validation response is returned to theintegrated service platform 830. This pre-pay validation response typically contains an indication whether the pre-pay account code is currently valid or not; and if the user is authorized, then the message contains a pre-pay validation parameter. The pre-pay validation parameter may indicate a monetary value or a period of time. In an embodiment, the pre-pay validation parameter is announced to the originating caller. For example, an audible announcement is played to the originating caller indicating the time, monetary duration, or credit available for the pre-pay call. - The
integrated service platform 830 passes a transfer request message indicating the pre-pay validation parameter and the telephone number of thedestination communication device 820 to theservice control point 840, which relays, and possibly reformats to a transfer instruction, this information to switchingsystem 800. - In one embodiment of the invention,
service control point 840 transmits a query with the pre-pay validation parameter torating platform 862 for a cost per minute table to determine how many minutes a call can be in progress before exceeding an available dollar amount. Therating platform 862 then transmits a response including the calculated remaining minutes to switchingsystem 800 vialink 864,service control point 840, and link 845. Therating platform 862 may also receive update instructions to update the rating information for an account. -
Switching system 800 then extends the pre-pay call through the communication network so the pre-pay call is connected between the originatingcommunication device 810 and thedestination communication device 820.Switching system 800 then monitors the pre-pay call. Optionally, and preferably, switchingsystem 800 imparts an audible indication identifying when the duration of the pre-pay call approaches the duration limit. For example, switchingsystem 800 might use voice synthesis technology to state that there is “two minutes left”, “one minute left”, and “time expired;” or alternatively, various audible tones are used as duration indicators. - After the pre-pay validation parameter has been announced, the voice path between the originating
communication device 810 and theintegrated service platform 830 is disconnected, as the present invention does not require this resource to be unnecessarily tied up for the call duration as required by previous systems. Typically, the voice path between the originatingcommunication device 810 and theintegrated service platform 830 is disconnected in parallel with operation of connecting the pre-pay call and performance of other operations. - When the duration of the pre-pay call reaches or exceeds a pre-pay amount indicated by the received pre-pay validation parameter, switching
system 800 terminates the pre-pay call.Communication switch 800 sends a notice of termination to theservice control point 840.Communication switch 800 also sends a notice of termination to theservice control point 840 when the pre-pay call terminates normally.Service control point 840 updates the pre-pay validation parameter with the duration of the pre-pay call and transmits a pre-pay update instruction including the pre-pay validation parameter and the pre-pay account code tovalidation system 850.Service control point 840 prepares a standard call detail record and sends this message tobilling system 860.Validation system 850 then updates its database to reflect the new pre-pay validation parameter and the pre-pay account code. - Referring now to
FIG. 10 , originatingcommunication device 810 initiates a post-pay call to switchingsystem 800. Preferably, the post-pay communication service is accessed by dialing a predetermined “800” telephone number (e.g., 1-800-xxx-xxxx, 1-888-xxx-xxxx).Switching system 800 recognizes the “800” type call, and sends a route query to servicecontrol point 840 requesting the network address (i.e., phone number) ofintegrated service platform 830.Service control point 840 returns a route instruction including this network address. A voice path is then established between originatingcommunication device 810 andintegrated service platform 830. For simplicity, messages to any intervening network elements between switchingsystem 800 andintegrated service platform 830 are not described inFIG. 10 . - Next,
integrated service platform 830 requests context information fromservice control point 840 and receives this context information. This context information includes a call-leg count that indicates the number of call-legs that are successfully established. For example, a connection from theswitching system 800 to theintegrated service platform 830 represents one call-leg, and a connection from theswitching system 800 todestination communication device 820 represents a second call-leg. The present invention allows several call-legs to be added and dropped during a single call. -
Integrated service platform 830 then plays a welcome message and prompts the originating caller to enter an authorized post-pay account code. The post-pay account code is then received byintegrated service platform 830 from originatingcommunication device 810.Integrated service platform 830 then prompts for and receives the destination telephone number corresponding to thedestination communication device 820. In parallel with or subsequent to the request for the destination telephone number, the integrated service platform sends a post-pay query to thevalidation system 850 with the received post-pay account code, and a post-pay validation response is returned to theintegrated service platform 830. This post-pay validation response typically contains an indication whether the post-pay account code is currently valid or not. - In an optional embodiment, the post-pay validation response additionally contains a post-pay credit parameter which is used like a pre-pay validation parameter for pre-pay calls as previously described herein. In this case, switching
system 800 would similarly monitor the call duration, provide the audible indication messages, and terminate the post-pay call when the authorized service duration is reached or exceeded. - The
integrated service platform 830 passes a transfer request message indicating the telephone number of thedestination communication device 820 to theservice control point 840, which relays, and possibly reformats to a transfer instruction, this information to switchingsystem 800.Switching system 800 then extends the post-pay call through the communication network so the post-pay call is connected between the originatingcommunication device 810 and thedestination communication device 820. - After, or in parallel with the completion of the post-pay call, the voice path between the originating
communication device 810 and theintegrated service platform 830 is disconnected, as the present invention does not require this resource to be unnecessarily tied up for the call duration as required by previous systems. When the post-pay call is terminated (e.g., the originatingcommunication device 810 ordestination communication device 820 goes on-hook), communications switch 800 sends a notice of termination to theservice control point 840.Service control point 840 prepares a standard call detail record and sends this message tobilling system 860. Billing systems for processing and invoicing customers are well-known in the art. - The above-described elements can be comprised of instructions that are stored on storage media. The instructions can be retrieved and executed by a processor. Some examples of instructions are software, program code, and firmware. Some examples of storage media are memory devices, tape, disks, integrated circuits, and servers. The instructions are operational when executed by the processor to direct the processor to operate in accord with the invention. Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, processor, and storage media.
- Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of the above-described embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples and illustrations discussed above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims (20)
1. A method of providing a pre-paid communication service and a post-paid communication service, the method comprising:
in a communication system, receiving a pre-paid communication service request from a first user and responsively establishing a first communication link between the first user and an integrated service platform;
in the communication system, receiving a post-paid communication service request from a second user and responsively establishing a second communication link between the second user and the integrated service platform;
in the integrated service platform, interacting with the first user over the first communication link to obtain first user information, processing the first user information to obtain a pre-paid communication service validation parameter, and transferring the pre-paid communication service validation parameter to the communication system;
in the integrated service platform, interacting with the second user over the second communication link to obtain second user information, processing the second user information to obtain a post-paid communication service validation parameter, and transferring the post-paid communication service validation parameter to the communication system;
in the communication system, releasing the first communication link between the first user and the integrated service platform, establishing a third communication link between the first user and a first destination, and controlling the third communication link based on the pre-paid communication service validation parameter; and
in the communication system, releasing the second communication link between the second user and the integrated service platform, establishing a fourth communication link between the second user and a second destination, and controlling the fourth communication link based on the post-paid communication service validation parameter.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the pre-paid communication service validation parameter indicates a time limit for the pre-paid communication service.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the pre-paid communication service validation parameter indicates a monetary limit for the pre-paid communication service.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the communication system, monitoring the third communication link between the first user and the first destination and releasing the third communication link based on the pre-paid communication service validation parameter.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the post-paid communication service validation parameter indicates a credit limit for the post-paid communication service.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the communication system, monitoring the fourth communication link between the second user and the second destination and releasing the fourth communication link based on the post-paid communication service validation parameter.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the communication system, transferring a first update message to the integrated service platform after providing the pre-paid communication service to the first user.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the communication system, transferring a second update message to the integrated service platform after providing the post-paid communication service to the second user.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
in the integrated service platform, processing the first user information to determine the first destination and indicating the first destination to the communication system; and
in the integrated service platform, processing the second user information to determine the second destination and indicating the second destination to the communication system.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first user information comprises a first account code, and wherein the second user information comprises a second account code.
11. A communication network to provide a pre-paid communication service and a post-paid communication service, the communication network comprising:
a communication system configured to receive a pre-paid communication service request from a first user and responsively establish a first communication link between the first user and an integrated service platform;
the communication system further configured to receive a post-paid communication service request from a second user and responsively establish a second communication link between the second user and the integrated service platform;
the integrated service platform configured to interact with the first user over the first communication link to obtain first user information, process the first user information to obtain a pre-paid communication service validation parameter, and transfer the pre-paid communication service validation parameter to the communication system;
the integrated service platform further configured to interact with the second user over the second communication link to obtain second user information, process the second user information to obtain a post-paid communication service validation parameter, and transfer the post-paid communication service validation parameter to the communication system;
the communication system further configured to release the first communication link between the first user and the integrated service platform, establish a third communication link between the first user and a first destination, and control the third communication link based on the pre-paid communication service validation parameter; and
the communication system further configured to releasing the second communication link between the second user and the integrated service platform, establish a fourth communication link between the second user and a second destination, and control the fourth communication link based on the post-paid communication service validation parameter.
12. The communication network of claim 11 wherein the pre-paid communication service validation parameter indicates a time limit for the pre-paid communication service.
13. The communication network of claim 11 wherein the pre-paid communication service validation parameter indicates a monetary limit for the pre-paid communication service.
14. The communication network of claim 11 wherein the communication system is further configured to monitor the third communication link between the first user and the first destination and release the third communication link based on the pre-paid communication service validation parameter.
15. The communication network of claim 11 wherein the post-paid communication service validation parameter indicates a credit limit for the post-paid communication service.
16. The communication network of claim 11 wherein the communication system is further configured to monitor the fourth communication link between the second user and the second destination and release the fourth communication link based on the post-paid communication service validation parameter.
17. The communication network of claim 11 wherein the communication system is further configured to transfer a first update message to the integrated service platform after providing the pre-paid communication service to the first user.
18. The communication network of claim 11 wherein the communication system is further configured to transfer a second update message to the integrated service platform after providing the post-paid communication service to the second user.
19. The communication network of claim 11 wherein:
the integrated service platform is further configured to process the first user information to determine the first destination and indicate the first destination to the communication system; and
the integrated service platform is further configured to process the second user information to determine the second destination and indicate the second destination to the communication system.
20. The communication network of claim 11 wherein the first user information comprises a first account code, and wherein the second user information comprises a second account code.
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US11/005,683 US20050100149A1 (en) | 2000-06-19 | 2004-12-07 | Method and apparatus for validating pre-pay and post-pay communication services using the same integrated database |
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