Telephonic communications – With check operated control – Other than coin
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-15
2001-11-06
Nguyen, Duc (Department: 2643)
Telephonic communications
With check operated control
Other than coin
C379S111000, C379S112010, C379S114010, C379S114150, C379S114200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314171
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The invention provides a device and method for extending a pre-paid calling card limit.
2. Description of Related Art
Pre-paid calling cards may be purchased for preset amounts such as increments of $10, $20 and $50, for example. The pre-paid calling card may be used for telephone calls to a called party for a certain number of minutes up to a limit corresponding to the dollar amount of the card, for example. Conventionally, when the limit is reached during a call, the call is terminated immediately and the caller must purchase additional pre-paid calling card time to again call the called party. The above sequence of events is very inconvenient and undesirable. Thus, new technology is required to avoid the above undesirable circumstances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a system and method for extending a limit of a pre-paid calling card without disconnecting the communicating parties. When a calling party makes a call using the pre-paid calling card and the limit of the calling card is reached, a call extender queries another party which could be the called party, other parties or the calling party to obtain an account number to pay for the remainder of the call or to extend the limit by an agreed amount. If one of the parties agrees to pay, the call extender permits the call to continue and bills the accepting party accordingly.
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AT&T Corporation
Nguyen Duc
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
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