MXPA01000301A - Dedicated speed-dial pre-paid telephone calling card - Google Patents

Abstract

System and a method for pre-programming a list of speed dial telephone numbers associated with a dedicated speed-dialing pre-paid telephone calling card. The system includes a data storage area (106) for storing a card identifier, a list of speed dialing numbers and a security code for limiting access to the speed dialing list. If the security code stored in the database (106) is the same as that input by the caller (120) the card processing systems (104) allow those numbers to be dialed, changed or added to.

Description

PREPAID TELEPHONE CALL CARD FOR DEDICATED RAPID MARKING DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to systems and methods that are used to provide enhanced services that can be provided in relation to prepaid telephone calling cards. It is known that prepaid telephone calling cards have been widely used to obtain telephone call services such as long distance call services, etc. For example, consumers can buy prepaid cards at self-service stores and use them to get access to telephone services to call friends and family around the world. As such, many different types of prepaid phone call cards are now available. Consumers can buy prepaid phone cards by having a variety of calling options (national calling options, international calling options, etc.), and a wide selection of prepaid securities. For example, consumers can purchase prepaid calling cards for national use that are charged with 100 national calling units (ie, a unit is typically equal to one minute of being associated with some other amount of time, for example, 50 seconds , etc.).

The fashion of prepaid cards for consumers is largely due to the fact that it usually allows consumers to obtain savings associated with phone calls. In addition, people enjoy using prepaid telephone calling cards since they do not require any other means to make a telephone call (eg, a corresponding telephone line such as a home telephone as required with conventional telephone calling cards, money, etc. .). Prepaid phone cards usually allow consumers to avoid the costs associated with using a conventional telephone calling card that is associated with a particular telephone line (for example, an access call service charge that is added to other fees and regional call charges). As a result of their attraction, many retail sellers have begun to offer and sell prepaid cards. And, since a relatively large selection of pre-paid phone cards can be stacked and presented without requiring an important retail floor space, small merchants can enjoy increased revenue to the maximum in relation to small sections of their showcases. owned or rented. Despite the feeling of prepaid cards for both consumers and sellers, prepaid phone cards are not without problems. For example, the global sensation of prepaid phone cards has created serious problems for providers of prepaid cards and related telephone services. In particular, providers of prepaid telephone calling cards have been forced to distinguish their products in order to compete effectively. To date, the only effective way to distinguish one of the prepaid telephone calling cards has been to continuously reduce telephone service rates to the point of extremely thin or negative margins. And, unfortunately, prepaid cards that promise "lower" phone service rates are usually not enough to capture and retain prepaid card customers. Another problem associated with prepaid phone call cards is their susceptibility to fraudulent or erroneous use. For example, once a prepaid telephone call card has been activated, it can be used simply by dialing an access telephone number, and entering a card identifier that is usually printed on the card. If a prepaid phone call card is provided to a child by his or her parent, for example, to be used in situations of emergency or critical calls, the child may use and spend the prepaid telephone service time (such as during unauthorized telephone calls to friends, etc.), instead of using the card for your intended emergency purpose. Thus, there is a need to provide systems and methods that will allow prepaid telephone call card providers to offer enhanced services in relation to their prepaid cards without requiring providers to reduce their telephone service rates to unreasonable levels, and that will allow consumers to set or pre-program call restrictions such as setting preprogrammed speed dialing numbers only for use with a prepaid phone call card. To be viable, such systems and methods should allow prepaid card users to easily take advantage of such enhanced services while, at the same time, use prepaid cards to obtain telephone call services. The present invention solves the problems described above associated with prepaid telephone calling cards by providing systems and methods that facilitate the provision, processing and use of enhanced services. By providing such systems and methods, prepaid phone call card providers (hereafter "prepaid cards") will be able to effectively compete in the prepaid card market by offering better, feature-rich services that consumers will trust and enjoy. In particular, such systems and methods can be used to provide enhanced services to card buyers who wish to purchase a prepaid card that can only be used with a dedicated group of speed dial numbers (such as numbers corresponding to the house number, a cell phone number, a pager number, etc.). For example, a parent can pre-program such a prepaid type of speed dial card with a specific list of contact numbers (eg, emergency contact numbers). Once programmed with dedicated speed dial telephone numbers, the parent can give the prepaid card to their child who can use the card in emergency situations to contact their parent at a particular telephone number (for example, at a telephone number). the dedicated speed dial numbers). A dedicated speed-dial type prepaid card provided in accordance with the present invention will allow parents to rest assured that their children can be near them during the necessary hours without requiring the children to have money to some other means to make a phone call. As such, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system and method for pre-programming a list of speed dial telephone numbers associated with a dedicated speed dial prepaid telephone call card and for facilitating the use thereof. The system and method include and involve a data storage system for storing a card identification corresponding to a prepaid telephone call card, a list of speed dial telephone numbers to be used in conjunction with the prepaid telephone call card, and a security code to limit access to the list of speed dial telephone numbers. A prepaid telephone call card processing system coupled to the data storage system is configured to receive the card identifier and a request to maintain the list of speed dial telephone numbers during a call to the calling card processing system prepaid telephone through a telephone network. The request includes a security word that will be compared with the security code. If the security word matches the security code stored in the data storage system, the prepaid telephone call card processing system will allow the list of fast dial telephone numbers to be presented (for example, be added, changed, etc.). The prepaid telephone call card processing system will allow users to initiate only speed dial telephone calls according to the stored preprogrammed telephone numbers in relation to their dedicated, private dial-up pre-paid telephone call cards.

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a system diagram wherein prepaid telephone call cards can be associated with dedicated speed dial telephone numbers in accordance with this Fig. 2 is an illustrative data structure diagram corresponding to a data structure that can be used within the system illustrated in Fig. 1 to facilitate the provision and use of dedicated quick dial telephone prepaid calling cards. according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3A is a flow chart of processing and call that illustrates the operations performed within the system 100 for maintaining a list of speed dial telephone numbers in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3B is a continuation call processing and call flow diagram of the processing and call flow diagram initiated in Figure 3A; Figure 3C is a flow chart of processing and call continuation of the processing and call flow diagram initiated in Figures 3A and 3B; Figure 3D is a flow chart of processing and call continuation of the call flow diagram of the processing and call flow diagram initiated in the Figures 3A-3C; Figure 3E is a flow chart of processing and call completion of the processing and call flow diagram initiated in Figures 3A-3D; Figure 4A is a processing and call flow diagram illustrating the use of a dedicated speed dial prepaid telephone call card in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4B is a continuation processing and call flow diagram of the processing and call flow diagram initiated in Figure 4A; Figure 4C is a flow chart of processing and call continuation of the processing and call flow diagram initiated in Figures 4A and 4B; Figure 4D is a flowchart of processing and call continuation of the so-called processing flow diagram started in Figures 4A and 4C; and Figure 4E contains processing and call-to-conclusion flow diagrams related to the processing and call flow diagram initiated in Figures 4A-4D. The present invention will now be discussed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings that were briefly described above. A compendium section is followed by a discussion of the structural aspects of the present invention and a discussion of corresponding data and call flows. Unless otherwise indicated, similar parts, systems and processes are referred to with similar reference numbers.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to systems and methods that can be used to provide improved prepaid card services and aspects. Said services and improved aspects include and involve systems and methods that are provided by the present invention to provide prepaid cards that have associated and dedicated speed dial lists. With such improved prepaid cards and related services, people will be able to pre-schedule quick dialing lists and then provide the corresponding prepaid cards to children, for example, who can use them to initiate an outgoing call to a particular telephone number maintained. in a speed dial list. That is, the present invention will allow the stored data in relation to a particular prepaid card to include a dedicated list of speed dial telephone numbers where telephone calls can be made. As such, the present invention provides a new prepaid card that can be purchased by parentsFor example, pre-programmed with dedicated speed dial only numbers, and then provide them to your children for use in emergencies and other critical calling situations. To facilitate the provision of a prepaid card that can only be used with a pre-programmed list of fast-dial telephone numbers (ie, a prepaid, fast-dial only card), the present invention includes two phases of operation discussed in more detail further with respect to Figures 1, 2, 3A-3E and 4A-4E, respectively. A first phase involves the activation and fixation of the prepaid card, while a second phase includes the use of the card. The first phase, the activation and fixation of prepaid card, involves the actions of a prepaid card vendor along with the actions of a service provider who is responsible for the management of systems to support the use of said prepaid card. The prepaid card setting involves the actions of a card buyer, for example, who is now able to pre-program and maintain a list of speed dial telephone numbers to be used by the user of a card (for example, a child, etc.). The preprogrammed list of speed dial telephone numbers can be accessed by a parent, for example, for maintenance (for example, addition and deletion of speed dial telephone numbers, etc.), during a maintenance call corresponding to a system of prepaid phone call card processing. The second phase mentioned above, the use of the card, may involve the actions of another party (for example, the user of a card such as a child of 8-16 years of age), who intends to make a critical or another type through the use of a prepaid card of only speed dial. The user of a card can now initiate an outgoing call to a selected telephone number that has been preprogrammed by his parent, for example. The preprogrammed list of speed dial telephone numbers can be accessed by a child, for example, to initiate an outgoing call to a number in the preprogrammed list during a telephone call to access through a telephone network (e.g. regional access call to a prepaid telephone call card processing system, etc.). In accordance with the present invention, it is preferred to allow an outgoing telephone call to be initiated only to the telephone number maintained in the pre-programmed list of speed dial telephone numbers. Accordingly, the present invention provides a prepaid telephone call card that can be used by a child in emergency call situations and other critical calling situations without requiring the child to have other means (for example, money or exchange, a general-purpose calling card, etc.) to make an important phone call home, etc.

STRUCTURAL ASPECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The structural aspects of the present invention are described with particular reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 illustrates a system that supports enhanced prepaid cards such as those that can be set to have lists of dedicated speed dial telephone numbers in accordance with the present invention. In particular, system 100 includes a calling party (eg, having a corresponding telephone number 301-993-1234), a called party (eg, having a corresponding telephone number 971-918-1244), the network publicly switched telephone (PSTN) 102, a prepaid telephone call card for the processing system 104 such as one that includes at least one intelligent platform (IN) having at least one service data point (SDP) 106, at least one service switching control point (SSCP) 108, and a customer service center 110, which can be served by living operators. Figure 1, the calling party (eg, a card buyer, a card user, etc.) can use a prepaid card 120 to obtain enhanced prepaid telephone call card services in accordance with the present invention (e.g. , maintaining a preprogrammed speed dial list of telephone numbers and initiating an outgoing call to a particular telephone number selected from the speed dial list of telephone numbers). Also included within the prepared telephone call card processing system 104 is one or more voice response systems 107, which can be used to automatically encourage by voice in accordance with the present invention through a telephone call about a telephone network such as PSTN 102. The use of such voice response systems will be readily apparent and understood by those skilled in the art. The use of a voice response system to facilitate the digitally recorded voice voice will be easily understood by those skilled in the art. The system 100 facilitates both the activation of a card (for example, by a vendor, etc.) and the setting by a card buyer (for example, parents, etc.), such as the use of a card by a user of a card. card (for example, a child, etc.). A prepaid calling card 120 such as the prepaid calling card can be used to obtain a speed dialing telephone service only in accordance with the present invention. As noted above, a prepaid telephone call card processing system 104 is one that includes at least one intelligent network (IN) platform consisting of, among other things, the SSCP 108 and SDP 106 points. As such, a prepaid calling card card purchaser 120 can access the SSCP point 108 through the PSTN 102 (via a hold-up list / card speed dialing call) to perform database and data records related to the prepaid card 120 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a card buyer (e.g., a parent) can set and maintain a prepaid card 120 by pre-programming a list of speed dial telephone numbers where the 120 prepaid card can only be used to place a card phone call corresponding prepaid departure. An exit call made in accordance with the present invention may be initiated by a user of the card (eg, a child) by accessing the prepaid telephone call card processing system 104 through an access call (e.g. a regional access call). During said access call, a card user can be prompted (e.g., through voice prompts, etc.) to enter a speed dial identifier (e.g., a key of the individual digital telephone keypad such as keys 1-6) to immediately cause an outgoing call to be initiated to a corresponding preprogrammed telephone number. The data related to the prepaid card 120 can be stored in SDP 106. Such data can include card usage data such as the remaining minutes, the unit billing rates, and according to the present invention, dialing list data fast including preprogrammed speed dial telephone numbers (eg, a particular number of speed dial numbers such as six, etc., numbers to which outgoing calls can be made automatically). A card purchaser of the prepaid card 120 can make the data related to the prepaid card 120 be made through a live operator session handled through the customer service center 110. The facilities to support the use of a center Customer service or call center to support prepaid cards will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Once the prepaid card 120 has been set according to the present invention (eg, a preprogrammed list of speed dial numbers has been assigned or otherwise maintained, changed, etc.), a user of the card (for example, example, a child) can place a prepaid phone call card call by dialing an access number 1-800 and entering an appropriate PIN / card identification number and a speed dial number identifier (for example, a key entry). of individual digit on a telephone keypad, etc.) to initiate a corresponding exit call. For example, an outgoing call according to the present invention may be made to a preprogrammed telephone number such as one to a called party (eg, the parent, a child's grandfather, etc.) having the telephone terminal station identifier or the telephone number 972-918-1244. In Figure 1, the prepaid card 120 is a prepaid telephone call card similar or similar to one manufactured and / or sold by MCI WORLDCOM, Inc. In accordance with the present invention, the telephone numbers of dedicated and preprogrammed speed dial and / or corresponding labels for them (for example, "HOUSE", "GRANDPARENTS", etc.) can be written or otherwise placed on the prepaid card 120 to facilitate the pre-programming and use thereof. Accordingly, a child, for example, can easily see the label associated with a particular speed dial identifier or prepaid telephone number, and in this way will be satisfied and assured that he is accessing an appropriate telephone number and making an appropriate telephone call, especially during a critical call situation. Referring now to Figure 2, there is illustrated a data structure such as a table data structure that can be stored and maintained within SDP 106 (Figure 1). In particular, the data structure 200 is organized to have columns and rows. The columns of the data structure 200 contain field data such as A CARD IDENTIFICATION, A FAST CHECK SAFETY CODE, A FAST CHECKLIST, CARD USE DATA, REMAINING UNITS, DATE OF EXPIRY OF THE CARD, and other data that may be included within the data structure 200 as indicated by the ellipses, to suit particular design requirements and to illustrate that the data structure 200 is not limited or restricted by the columns / fields included in it . In data structure 200, a data row corresponding to a particular prepaid calling card, such as a prepaid calling card 120 (Figure 1) is maintained.

In particular, row R1 of data structure 100 contains data corresponding to a particular prepaid calling card, such as prepaid calling card 120 (Figure 1) according to the present invention. That is, row R1 includes a CARD IDENTIFICATION of 446-223-3748, a QUICK NUMBER SAFETY CODE number of 1234, a RAPID CHECKLIST of speed dial telephone numbers such as 1301-555-1234 through 6301 -555-1239, CARD USE DATA, such as the last use and duration data of the last call, a remaining number of units in relation to the prepaid calling card 120, the expiration date of the card such as the January 10, 2002, and other field data contained within row R1 of data structure 200 as indicated by the ellipses containing the field. The primary digit of the speed dial telephone numbers identified in Figure 2 (e.g., 63015551239, etc.) is intended to illustrate a speed dial telephone number identifier (e.g., a single digit identifier) that can be used for present and access a corresponding speed-dial telephone number for maintenance (for example, addition, change, etc.) and use thereof. Other aspects for providing such identification may be used and are not limited by the illustrative arrangement shown in Figure 2 and discussed herein. Row R2 of data structure 200 contains ellipses to illustrate the fact that data structure 200 may include many records and data related to numerous prepaid calling cards in accordance with the present invention.

PHASE 1: ACTIVATION AND FIXATION OF PREPAID CARD The structural aspects of the present invention, as described above and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, are designed to operate together to facilitate the phases of operation that were discussed in the summary section thereof. In particular, the structures illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 forming the system 100 are configured to support both the activation of the prepaid card and its fixation as a first phase and use of the card as a second phase. The prepaid card activation involves the operations related to the stored data for the prepaid card 120 in SDP 106 (Figure 1). Said activation operations are intended to place a prepaid card, such as the prepaid card 120, in an active state, ready to be used, (for example, list for the telephone services that will be used in relation to it). Activation of the prepaid card can occur through point-of-sale operations, live operator phone sessions, etc. After the prepaid card 120 has been activated as described above, the card can be set according to the present invention. In particular, a prepaid card can be set by a parent, for example, by making a list of only speed dial telephone numbers that will be preprogrammed and / or maintained such as within a data structure maintained within and / or through SDP. 106 similar to a data structure 200 (Figure 2). After being used in accordance with a (second) use phase related to the present invention, a calling party can initiate an outgoing call to a speed dial telephone number (and only to a preprogrammed speed dial telephone number) after have made an appropriate selection of the same by the user of the card (for example, a child, etc.). The operations and call flows within a system similar to the system 100 (Figure 1) for performing the prepaid card setting and, in particular, the handling of the speed dial list according to the present invention, are illustrated in the Figures 3A-3E. Said operations are self-explanatory, but are discussed herein to further illustrate the novel aspects of the operations that may occur within the present invention. It is considered that within the call flows illustrated in Figures 3A-3E, as discussed below, a calling subscriber such as a parent may have access to the prepaid telephone call card processing system 104 and, in particular, to its SSCP point 108 through a maintenance call (eg, a telephone call) over a telephone network such as PSTN 102. During said maintenance type call, the parent may choose to pre-schedule a QUICK DIAL list which will be used in conjunction with the prepaid call 120. The term "maintenance" refers only to the aspects associated with the prepaid card 120 and not to any particular attribute of a telephone call for the prepaid telephone call process system 104 for performing the list maintenance and / or maintenance by a card buyer (for example, a parent, etc.). Referring now to Figure 3A, there is illustrated the card setting call flows, and, in particular, those that support the automatic quick dialing list pre-programming according to the present invention. In particular, the processing and call flow diagram starts at step S3-1 and may proceed to step S3-2 if the language selection in a conventional manner is to be included within said processing. The processing to produce the selection of language and functionality as indicated in step S3-2 (in vanishing lines) will be immediately understood by those skilled in the art. Assuming that an appropriate language is selected to encourage (for example, encouraging an automatic voice response, such as through a voice response system 107 (Figure 1)) processing proceeds to step S3-3, wherein a calling party will be encouraged for an appropriate card identifier during a maintenance call to the prepaid telephone call card processing system 104 (Figure 1). In step S3-4, the calling party will enter a DTMF sequence corresponding to the card identifier (for example, through his telephone device keypad). Said card identifier can be a strip of digits (for example, 10 digits, etc.) introduced through a telephone device keyboard, etc. Alternatively, if the prepaid telephone call card processing system 104 is so equipped, a card identifier can be entered by the calling party in the form of spoken text that can be processed and recognized by an independent voice response system. of the speaker, which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Then, in step S3-5, the prepaid telephone call card processing system 104 will give access to SDP 106 and the data contained therein that are related to a prepaid card 120. Then, in step S3-6, it will be done a determination that if the calling subscriber entered a valid card identifier by comparing index structures for said card identifiers and that introduced by the calling subscriber. If no match occurs, a cycle construction can be initiated back to step S3-3, whereby the process will be repeated for the calling party to be prompted for a card identifier. Said cycle construction can be performed in a specific number of times (for example, twice, etc.) and if a valid card identifier is not finally entered, a release of the maintenance telephone call can occur, ending said call and returning to a calling port for a busy state. Said processing will be immediately understood by those skilled in the art. If, in step S3-6, a valid card identifier was introduced, the related processing and call flow proceeds up to Figure 3B. In step S3-7, the calling party will be encouraged to access a list maintenance menu (eg, "parent menu"). Then, in step S3-8, the calling party can request the list maintenance menu by pressing an appropriate key on his telephone device keypad (for example, by pressing the "3" key, etc.). Said operation will cause a DTMF sequence to be processed by a prepaid telephone call card processing system and, in particular, by the SSCP point 108. Then, the processing will proceed to step S3-9, where the calling subscriber will be encouraged to enter a security code related to a particular prepaid calling card such as the prepaid calling card 120 (e.g., a four-digit PIN code, etc., as illustrated in Figure 2). It should be noted that the security code is considered to be able to change as a security code used with email, Internet access, a bank account, voice mail systems, and through live and automated operator systems. Also, the security code can be entered by the calling party, as with the card identifier discussed above, as a spoken voice statement that can be processed and recognized by a voice response system independent of the speaker, which will be easily understood by those skilled in the art. Then, in step S3-10, the calling subscriber will enter a security code through the DTMF input (eg, a telephone device keypad entry) and the processing will proceed at the top of Figure 3C. In step S3-12, the prepaid telephone call card processing system 104 will have access to STP 106 and data related to prepaid card 120. Then, in step S3-13, a determination will be made that if a valid security code has been entered by the calling subscriber by comparing the stored data for the prepaid card 120 with the security code sequence entered by the calling subscriber. If not, the processing will proceed back to step S3-11 as illustrated in Figure 3B and in this way a cycle construction will be created. Said construction of the cycle may be made to iterate any number of times such as twice to allow the calling subscriber to enter a correct security code. If a correct security code can not be or is not finally entered, a release of the maintenance call can occur by releasing a call port at the SSCP point 108 to a busy state. If, in step S3-13, a valid security code has been entered, processing proceeds to step S3-14, where the calling party will be alerted to enter a DTMF code as an option menu such as "1"for customer service and" 2"for updating a preprogram list of speed dial telephone numbers in accordance with the present invention. Then, in step S3-15, a determination will be made as to whether the calling subscriber pressed the "1" key on his telephone device keypad. If not, the processing will continue in the upper part of Figure 3D. If the calling subscriber pressed the "1" key, processing will continue at the top of Figure 3D. If the calling party does not press the "1" key, processing will continue at the top of Figure 3E for customer service operations. Accordingly, in the upper part of Figure 3D, and, in particular, in step S3-16 a determination will be made as to whether the calling subscriber pressed the "2" key on his telephone device keypad. If not, the processing proceeds to step S3-17, where the calling subscriber will be encouraged with an invalid entry notification and the processing will proceed in step S3-14 as illustrated in Figure 3C as discussed above. If the calling subscriber pressed the "2" key on his telephone device keypad, the processing proceeds to step S3-18, where a cycle construction can be initiated. In particular, in step S3-18, the calling subscriber will be encouraged to enter a speed dial list identifier such as from 1 to 6 to hear or change a current telephone number associated therewith. Alternatively, the calling subscriber can press the star key to exit the cycle construction initiated in step S3-18, which allows the calling subscriber to add and / or change current telephone numbers kept within a speed dial list . It is important to note that the speed dial list maintained within SDP 106 can finally be used through the use of the individual digit operation dialing list identifier such as the "1" key to the "6" key in a telephone device keyboard. Therefore, a calling party (for example, a child, etc.) can press an individual digit key on its telephone device keypad to automatically initiate an outgoing call corresponding to the telephone number that has been preprogrammed for that key oppression. particular. When entering the asterisk key on a telephone device keypad, the calling subscriber will be alerted, in step S3-19, with a thank-you and the maintenance call will be terminated, accordingly. Processing then ends in step S3-20. As noted above, if, in step S3-15, the calling party seeks customer service from a live operator, the processing proceeds in the upper part of Figure 3E. In step S3-21, the maintenance call will be directed to a customer service center (e.g., customer service center 110) for live operator assistance, etc., to engage in customer service operations including , but not limited to, the recharge related to the remaining minutes left in a particular prepaid card such as the prepaid card 120. Said recharging operations will be understood by those skilled in the art to initiate processes to adjust, (e.g., increase or reduction) the remaining number of minutes of use of the call that may be used in connection with a particular prepaid calling card.

PHASE 2: USE OF PREPAID CARD The aforementioned ussions with respect to Figures 3A-3E involved the activation of the card (for example, in a POS system, etc.) and the fixing of card by a card buyer (for example, a parent) to fix and pre-schedule a list of speed-dial telephone numbers that can be associated and used with a particular prepaid calling card, such as prepaid card 120. After a prepaid card buyer has a speed dial list, he can then ribute the card to a receiver of your choice (for example, a child, etc.).

Then, a card user (e.g., a child, etc.) can access the prepaid telephone call card processing system 104 to initiate an outgoing call to a telephone number maintained within the preprogrammed telephone number list. speed dial (and only one of those numbers). The operations performed within the system 100 to facilitate the use of said prepaid card by a card user are illustrated in the call flow diagrams shown in Figures 4A-4E to which reference will now be made. In Figures 4A-4E, it is assumed that a calling subscriber (eg, a child, etc.) has placed a card in a prepaid telephone call card processing system such as system 104 (Figure 1) through from a regional call of 1-800 (over a telephone network) to initiate an outgoing call to a particular speed dial telephone number maintained in a corresponding list of speed dial telephone numbers, which have been preprogrammed and which they are stored in a storage facility such as SDP 106 (as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2). Said call to a prepaid telephone call card processing system is referred to below as an "access call" to inguish it from the maintenance call ussed above with respect to the call diagrams illustrated in Figures 3A-3E. It should be noted that, however, the term "access call" (and "maintenance call") are merely names that have no impact on the nature of telephone calls for the prepaid telephone call card processing system 104 to initiate outgoing telephone calls to preprogrammed speed dial telephone numbers (or to maintain a list of such numbers) in accordance with the present invention. Referring now to Figure 4A, there is illustrated a flow chart of processing and calling in relation to the use of a prepaid card in accordance with the present invention. In particular, the processing and call flow is initiated in step S4-1 and proceeds to step S4-2. In step S4-2, a calling subscriber (e.g., a child) dials an access number (e.g., a regional access number 1-800) corresponding to the prepaid card 120. Then, in step S4 -3, the calling subscriber is encouraged by a voice response system such as a voice response system 107 (Figure 1) with a welcome message that is automatically broadcast by voice during the access call (e.g., " Thank you for using your prepaid card for speed dial only, please press a speed dial key to make a dedicated speed dial call ", etc.). Then, in step S4-4, the calling party is encouraged to enter a card identifier corresponding to the prepaid card 120. It should be noted that if the calling party fails to enter a card identifier or otherwise allows occur a while out, the caller's access call can be directed to a customer service center for live operator assistance, directed to a voice response system for automatic responses and encourage (eg, form cycle, etc.), drop or otherwise manage based on the particular design requirements. Then, the processing proceeds in the upper part of Figure 4B. In step S4-5, the prepaid calling card processing system 104 gives access to SDP 106 and the data related to the prepaid card 120. Next, in step S4-6, a determination will be made that if the identifier The card entered by the calling subscriber from his telephone device keypad is valid based on a comparison with the data stored in SDP 106. If not, the processing proceeds to step S4-4 as illustrated in Figure 4A and a construction of the cycle is executed a particular number of times before hanging or releasing the access call. Said number of times can be fixed to any number such as 2, for example. If, in step S4-6, a valid card identifier has been entered by the calling subscriber during the access call, the processing proceeds to step S4-8, where the calling subscriber will be encouraged with a usage menu. card and in particular, will be encouraged to press "1" to make a speed dial call (and only to make a speed dial call), "2" for help, or "3" for a parent maintenance menu / list. The processing then proceeds in the upper part of Figure 4C. In the upper part of Figure 4C and in particular, in step S4-9, a determination will be made as to whether or not the calling party presses a "1" key on his telephone device keypad, and if thus, the processing proceeds in the upper one of Figure 4D and, in particular, in step S4-12. In step S4-12, the calling party will be encouraged to enter a speed dial identifier (eg, 1-6, etc.) wherein the prepaid telephone call card processing system 104 will initiate an outgoing call. Then, in step S4-13, a determination will be made that if a valid speed dial telephone number identifier is assigned (eg, it has been preprogrammed by a parent to designate a particular telephone terminus station such as a telephone number home, a cell phone number, a pager, a telephone number of the grandparents' house, etc.). If not, a block construction can be initiated to link any number of times (eg, twice, etc.) back to step S4-12 as described above. If, in step S4-13, a speed dial telephone number identifier is entered, the processing proceeds to step S4-14. In step S4-14, the prepaid telephone call card processing system 104 initiates a corresponding outgoing call based on the preprogrammed speed dial number maintained in SDP 106 (e.g., 301-555-1234 ). Since the prepaid card 120 can be configured to be used in the initiation of outgoing calls only for particular telephone numbers (eg, telephone numbers stored in a list in SDP 106, etc.), the prepaid card 120 can be purchased by a parent and can be given to your child for the intended purpose of emergency or other critical call use. As such, a parent can be sure that their child, for example, can always have a way to be in contact with the parent without needing any other means to make an emergency phone call. Additionally, said prepaid card of only speed dial avoids the risks of fraudulent use by strangers and misuse by card users such as children who may otherwise use a prepaid card for general use for calls other than intended purpose (eg, emergencies, critical call situations, etc.). Accordingly, a prepaid, speed-dial type card in accordance with the present invention can be physically attached (such as a suitcase tag) to a child's clothing., suitcases, purse, purse, etc., to ensure that a child has direct access to an instrument that will allow him to strike his father in a critical call situation. Processing ends in step S4-15. Referring to Figure 4C, if in step S4-9 the calling party did not enter the "1" key to initiate an outgoing call, and instead entered or pressed the "2" key on his telephone device keypad, as determined in step S4-10, the processing proceeds to step S4-16 in the upper part of Figure 4E. In step S4-16, help instructions with voice will be manifested to the calling party during the access call. Said help instructions may be in the form of pre-recorded and / or digitally recorded voice points to assist the calling subscriber in the operation of the aspects related to the prepaid card 120 in accordance with the present ntion. Then, the processing may proceed to step S4-8 and the entire call flow may be restarted, accordingly. Referring again to Figure 4C, if the calling party does not select or initiate an outgoing call to a particular speed dial telephone number or to receive assistance instructions, it may be determined, in step S4-11, that the call subscriber is a parent, for example, who intends to manage / maintain the list of only speed dial telephone numbers maintained within SDP 106 for prepaid card 120. Therefore, in step S4-11, if the subscriber who called enter or press the "3" key on your telephone device keyboard, the processing will proceed to step S4-17 as illustrated in Figure 4E. In particular, in step S4-17 the processing, as defined and illustrated in Figures 3A-3E as discussed above, will begin to allow the call subscriber to maintain and operate the preprogrammed speed dial telephone numbers for the prepaid card. 120 If, in step S4-11, the calling subscriber did not enter or press the "3" key on his telephone device keypad, the processing will proceed to step S4-7 as described above, wherein the construction of the cycle may be initiated after an invalid entry of a menu option initiated in step S4-8. Said construction of the cycle can be performed any number of times (for example, twice) before a release operation occurs in relation to the access call thus leaving a call port at the SSCP point 108 in an inactive one. In this way, having fully described the present invention by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be readily appreciated that many changes and modifications can be made to the invention and any of the illustrative embodiments shown and / or described herein, without depart from the spirit or scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims (26)

1. A system for pre-programming a list of speed-dial telephone numbers associated with a dedicated speed-dial prepaid telephone call card, comprising: a data storage system for storing a card identifier corresponding to a telephone call card prepaid, a list of speed-dial telephone numbers to be used in conjunction with the prepaid telephone call card, and a security code to limit access to such a list of speed-dial telephone numbers; and a prepaid telephone call card processing system coupled to the data storage system and configured to receive the card identifier and a request to maintain said list of speed dial telephone numbers during a call for said card processing system. prepaid phone call through a telephone network, said request including a security word, the prepaid telephone call card processing system is further configured to make the list be carried out according to the request when said security word matches the security code stored in the data storage system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said list of speed dial telephone numbers includes a plurality of telephone numbers to which telephone calls can be automatically initiated through the telephone call card processing system. prepaid

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said request or request includes a group of dialed digits entered during the telephone call.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said security code is a four-digit PIN code.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data storage system and said prepaid calling card processing system are located at separate sites.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data storage system operates to store data related to the use of the prepaid telephone call card, said data including an amount corresponding to the number of units in service available. to be used to make at least one call to a speed dial telephone number stored in said list of speed dial telephone numbers.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein making the list of speed dial telephone numbers is the addition of at least one speed dial telephone number to said list of speed dial telephone numbers.

8. - The system according to claim 1, wherein making the list is a change of at least one speed dial telephone number stored in the list of speed dial telephone numbers.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein each speed-dial telephone number stored in the list of speed-dial telephone numbers is associated with a one-digit speed dial telephone number identifier, the number identifier. One-digit speed dial telephone can operate to allow that speed dial telephone number to be affected or effected in accordance with the request.

10. A method for pre-programming a list of speed-dial telephone numbers associated with a dedicated speed-dial prepaid telephone call card, comprising the steps of: storing a card identifier corresponding to a prepaid telephone call card , a list of speed-dial telephone numbers to be used in conjunction with the prepaid telephone call card, and a security code to be used in limiting access to such a list of speed-dial telephone numbers; receive the card identifier and a request to maintain said list of speed dial telephone numbers, the request including a safety word; and causing said list of speed dial telephone numbers to be made in accordance with the request when the security word matches the security code.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the list of speed dial telephone numbers includes a plurality of telephone numbers to which outgoing telephone calls can be initiated in relation to the prepaid telephone call card.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the request includes a group of dialed digits entered during the telephone call.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the security code is a four-digit PIN code.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the steps of storing and receiving are performed at separate sites.

15. - The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of storing further includes a step for storing data related to the use of said prepaid telephone call card, the data including an amount corresponding to a number of available service units. to be used to make at least one call to a speed dial telephone number stored in said list of speed dial telephone numbers.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein making the list of speed dial telephone numbers is the addition of at least one speed dial telephone number to the list of speed dial telephone numbers.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein making the list is a change of at least one speed dial telephone number stored in the list of speed dial telephone numbers.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein each speed-dial telephone number stored in the list of speed-dial telephone numbers is associated with a one-digit speed-dial telephone number identifier, said telephone number. single-digit speed dial telephone number being operational to allow the speed dial telephone number to be made in accordance with the request.

19. A method for using a dedicated speed-dial prepaid telephone call card, comprising the steps of: accessing a telephone call card processing system prepares during a prepaid telephone call card setting call to said system. processing of prepaid telephone calling card through a telephone network; enter a card identifier corresponding to the data that can be addressed by the prepaid telephone call card processing system, the data including a list of speed dial telephone numbers to be used in conjunction with the prepaid telephone call card and a code security to be used in limiting access to such a list of speed-dial telephone numbers; enter a request to access and make said list of speed dial telephone numbers, said request including a security word; and obtain access to make the list of speed dial telephone numbers when a security word matches the security code.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the list of speed dial telephone numbers includes at least one speed dial telephone number where an outgoing call can be initiated by the calling card processing system. prepaid phone

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein making is the addition of at least one speed dial telephone number to the list of speed dial telephone numbers.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein making is a change to at least one speed dial phone number stored in the list of speed dial telephone numbers.

23. A system for facilitating the use of a dedicated, fast-dial prepaid telephone call card, comprising: a data storage system that stores a card identifier corresponding to a prepaid telephone call card, and a list of preprogrammed and dedicated speed dial telephone numbers to be used in conjunction with the prepaid telephone call card; and a prepaid telephone call card processing system coupled to the data storage system and configured to receive an access call from a calling subscriber through a telephone network, to immediately prompt said caller to enter an identifier card and a speed dial phone number identifier, and to receive the speed dial telephone number identifier during said access call, the prepaid telephone call card processing system automatically initiating an outgoing telephone call to a preprogrammed and dedicated, particular dialing telephone number based on in the speed dial phone number identifier.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the speed dial telephone number identifier is a single digit number corresponding to the particular speed dial telephone number.

25. A method for using a prepaid telephone call card, comprising the steps of: accessing a prepaid telephone call card processing system during a telephone service access call through a telephone network; in response to an acceleration immediately manifested after the access step, enter a card identifier corresponding to the data that can be routed through the prepaid telephone call card processing system, said data including a list of dialing telephone numbers fast, preprogrammed, dedicated, and corresponding speed dial phone number identifiers; entering a speed dial telephone number identifier during said access call, to automatically cause the prepaid telephone call card processing system to initiate an outgoing telephone call through the telephone network to a particular speed dial telephone number corresponding to to said speed dial telephone number identifier.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the speed dial telephone number identifiers are single digit numbers that uniquely identify each corresponding, preprogrammed, dedicated, speed dial telephone number.