Telephonic communications – With usage measurement – Call charge metering or monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-26
2002-12-10
Tieu, Binh (Department: 2743)
Telephonic communications
With usage measurement
Call charge metering or monitoring
C379S114030, C379S114120, C379S116000, C379S121020, C379S144010, C379S900000, C370S356000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06493437
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to telecommunication systems and, more particularly, to a system and method for subsidizing PC-based telephony service.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The provision of long distance telephone service is very competitive in today's marketplace. Presently, long distance telephone calls are typically provided by an Inter-eXchange Carrier (IXC). This IXC charges the consumer a per-minute fee for placing long distance calls.
An emerging service is IP-based telephony from a personal computer (PC), known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), in which the subscriber places an outgoing telephone call over a network, such as the Internet, from his PC. In general, the caller subscribes to VolP service and is charged a per-minute usage fee associated with the long distance call.
Because of intense competition, there is a continuing need for telecommunication companies to reduce the cost of existing telecommunications services.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention address this need by providing a mechanism through which the charges for telephone calls can be reduced or eliminated.
A method consistent with the present invention includes authorizing, via a service provider, telephone services over a data network to a client terminal. The service provider establishes a telephone call between the client terminal and a receiving terminal over the data network. During the telephone call, at least one advertisement is displayed at the client terminal. Upon termination of the telephone call, the service provider calculates a bill based on a subsidized billing rate.
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http://www.dialpad.com(Nov. 8, 1999), 16 pages.
Genuity Inc.
Suchyta Leonard Charles
Tieu Binh
Weixel James K.
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