At+t Corp.

Other

Rajesh Kapadia

Lee Begeja

Benjamin J Stern

Jeffrey Joseph Farah

Pradeep K Bansal

John Gerow Ramage

Bernard S Renger

Bernard S L Renger

Edward Chapman Durkee

A system, method, and computer program product that reduces calling costs for a wireless phone through the use of multiple mobile identification numbers (MINs). The wireless phone is associated with multiple MINs, which are stored in a profile on the wireless phone network or within the wireless phone. A rate table is used to determine which MIN will incur the lowest calling costs. This MIN is selected for communications between the wireless phone and the wireless phone network.

Reducing calling costs for wireless phones using multiple mobile identification numbers

A method for transferring money is described. This method can include providing a cash card having stored thereon an amount of money; making a telephone call to a predetermined telephone number using the cash card as a payment device for the telephone call; dialing a predetermined suffix to the predetermined telephone number followed by a desired dollar amount; debiting the cash card by the desired dollar amount; and, crediting an account associated with the predetermined telephone number by the desired dollar amount.

Method for transferring money

An individual transfers money from a cash card (or the account that the cash card is tied to) by making a wireless phone call to another individual. A combination of a MONDEX style card with the individual phone cards are used for this purpose. This electronic cash (&ldquo;ecash&rdquo;) ecash/phone card is inserted into the phone to activate it for billing use and serves as the basis for a cash transaction. For example, person A makes a telephone call to person B and dials a suffix after the number to indicate the transaction and the amount. For example, one could transfer money to another card or account holder from one's card by dialing their number followed by CASH&num;200&num; to transfer 200 dollars to the other account. The card is then capable of being used as a cash card to make purchases or as a phone card to make calls. A database links the identity of the caller to the cash account and the transaction appears as part of a bank statement or as part of a wireless phone bill. A user could use his wireless phone to dial an account number and transfer money by entering the amount via DTMF or by speaking the amount to an ASR application connected to the database. A user could also use the phone to make purchases via the card by just dialing a number and having an anonymous purchase made of the item. Since the user would be identified by the wireless network, the user would not have to enter any additional information about identification or credit card. The number that the user dialed could then debit the user's card directly and the item could be delivered without any need for the user to enter more information.

Method and apparatus for transferring money via a telephone call

An emergency breakthrough system allows users to break through a busy signal, using an automated rather than operator assisted technique. Upon receipt of a busy signal, rather than hanging up and dialing an operator to gain a manual assistance for third party call breakthrough, the calling party is able to keypad an enablement request, such as *85, requesting emergency call breakthrough. After that entry, the system awaits a breakthrough passcode, such as a four digit number, which if validated permits the user to breakthrough the busy signal and reach the called party, without operator intervention. Predesignated numbers can gain automated access by ANI identity of the calling number.

Growing community of inventors

Plainsboro, NJ, United States of America

Rajesh Kapadia