MXPA05011051A - Prepaid wireless system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for providing prepaid wireless services. One embodiment includes a mobile unit configured to maintain an amount of time units for which the mobile unit is authorized to utilize wireless services. The amount of time units is preferably prepaid for by the customer. The mobile unit prevents utilization of wireless services upon the expiration of the amount of prepaid time units. Furthermore, it is preferred that a prepaid application server receive notification from the wireless service provider of the use of time units by the mobile unit. In this manner, the prepaid application server may monitor the availability of time units and prevent fraudulent use when the amount of prepaid time units expire.

Description

WIRELESS PREPAID SYSTEM AND METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to telecommunications and, more particularly, to a wireless system for providing prepaid services and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wireless service providers provide communications services between mobile units, such as a cordless telephone, PDA, computer, or the like, and other users. Generally, mobile units communicate with a wireless network via a wireless communication protocol such as CDMA, TDMA, GSM, GPRS, or the like. The wireless network in turn provides connectivity to telecommunications networks, which commonly comprise switches interconnected by cables or fiber and provides communications services to other users. Since the proliferation of wireless services has grown, so has the offer of expanded service types to reach different market segments and to grow the market share of existing market segments. A sector of the population that wireless service providers have tried to address for profit is low-income or high-credit-risk individuals. Generally, wireless services are more expensive than the typical landline telephone. As a result, individuals with low incomes or high credit risk often have trouble maintaining wireless telephone services under current plan offers that require users to pay for used services. Wireless service providers have tried to serve this sector of the population by providing prepaid wireless service plans. Under these plans, a user receives or purchases a wireless phone and prepays for wireless service. For example, a user may purchase a wireless telephone and prepay a specific amount, such as fifty dollars, in advance for wireless service. As the user incurs charges, which include out-of-area charges ("roaming"), long distance charges, and other fees, charges are deducted from the fifty dollars paid in advance. When the user incurs charges totaling the prepaid amount, the wireless service provider discontinues the wireless services to the user. However, prepaid wireless services are often not cost effective for the wireless service provider. Generally, when a prepaid wireless service subscriber attempts to make or receive a telephone call, the network accesses a database to verify that the prepaid wireless service subscriber's account is current and maintains a balance. Many times, access to the database is maintained for the duration of the telephone call to update the subscriber's account. Access to the database to verify the account and update the account is expensive and can use resources that can be used in other ways to provide other services. Consequently, there is a need to provide prepaid wireless services in a cost effective manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION These and other problems are generally solved or evaded, and technical advantages are generally achieved, by preferred embodiments of the present invention, which provides a method and apparatus for providing integrated telephony and Internet services. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile unit comprising memory and a storage means is provided. The storage medium includes computer program code configured to perform the steps of recovering from the memory an available amount of time that the mobile unit is authorized to use for wireless services with the mobile unit; allowing the mobile unit to use wireless services for a first period of time, the first period of time may be less than or equal to the amount available; and deduct the first time period from the available amount. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a mobile unit comprising memory and a storage medium, wherein the storage means includes computer program code configured to perform the steps of: storing in memory a first number of units of fixed rate time that the mobile unit is pre-authorized to use; receiving a first indication that a user is attempting to use the mobile unit to connect to a wireless service provider; charge the first amount of fixed-rate time units of the memory; determine whether the first number of fixed rate time units is above a first limit; and, in determining whether the first number of fixed rate time units is above the first limit, allow the mobile unit to connect to the wireless service provider. In still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a mobile unit comprising memory and a storage medium, wherein the storage means includes computer program code configured to perform the steps of: recovering from the memory a first amount of the fixed rate minutes that the mobile unit is preauthorized to use for wireless services; monitor a first period of time that the mobile unit uses for wireless services; and to cause wireless services to be discontinued when the first period of time is greater than, or equal to, the first number of fixed rate minutes. In still another embodiment, a prepaid application system having a storage means is provided. The storage means includes a computer program code configured to perform the steps of: receiving an indication that a user of a mobile device has prepaid a first number of fixed rate minutes of wireless services; and notifying the mobile unit that the mobile unit is authorized to use the first number of fixed rate minutes of wireless services. In still another embodiment, a prepaid application system having a storage means is provided, wherein the storage means includes a computer program code configured to perform the steps of: receiving an indication that a mobile unit has used a first amount of wireless service time; determine if the first amount of time is greater than or equal to a prepaid amount of fixed rate time; and deactivating the mobile unit if the first amount of time is greater than or equal to the fixed rate time prepaid amount. In still another embodiment, a prepaid application system having a storage means is provided. The storage means includes a computer program code configured to perform the steps of: receiving an indication that a user of a mobile device has prepaid for wireless services; and notifying a plurality of wireless service providers that the mobile device is authorized to use the wireless service provider. The foregoing has more broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. The additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereafter which forms the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the specific concept and embodiment described can be readily used as a basis for the modification or designation of other structures or processes to accomplish the same purposes of the present invention. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram of network comprising the features of the present invention; Figure 2 is a data flow diagram illustrating the steps for preparing a mobile unit for use with a wireless prepaid service in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a data flow diagram illustrating the steps for activating a mobile unit for use with a wireless prepaid service in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a data flow diagram illustrating steps for monitoring the use of a mobile unit with a wireless prepaid service in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a data flow diagram illustrating the steps for deactivating a mobile unit for use with a wireless prepaid service in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a message flow diagram illustrating the steps that can be transmitted during the use of a wireless prepaid service in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 7 is a data flow diagram illustrating the steps that can be performed to enable a mobile unit to interrupt the wireless service providers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE MODALITIES The manufacture and use of currently preferred embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be customized in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. It will be noted that, unless otherwise indicated, all functions described here can be performed on any hardware or software, or some combination of these. In a preferred embodiment, however, the functions are performed by a processor such as a computer or an electronic data processor in accordance with the code such as computer program code, software, and / or integrated circuits that are coded to perform such functions. functions, unless otherwise indicated. Referring now to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 100 designates a network diagram of a portion of a telephony network that encompasses the characteristics of an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art will see that the network diagram 100 has been simplified to better illustrate the features of the present invention. Well known elements have not been shown but are nevertheless part of a telephony network encompassing the features of the present invention. For example, the network encompassed by the present invention may include amplifiers, power supplies, maintenance systems, gates, routers, firewalls, and the like.The network diagram 100 comprises a mobile unit 110. , a base transceiver station (BTS) 112, a telecommunications network 114, a prepaid application server 116, a prepaid application database 118, an activation server 120, a database of activation data 122, and one or more carrier databases 124. The mobile unit 110 is configured by a communicative coupling with the BTS 112, preferably via a wireless communication protocol such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, GPRS, or In addition, the mobile unit 110 is preferably configured to accept a subscriber identity module (SIM) that has a wireless prepaid application stored in the The same, the wireless prepaid application is discussed in more detail below with reference to Figures 2-7. The mobile unit 110 can be, for example, any appropriate access device that can be configured to communicate via telecommunication network 114, such as a cordless telephone, laptop, desktop computer, personal tablet computer, Personal Data Assistant (PDA). English), or similar. It is noted that the user (not shown) operates the mobile unit 110. Accordingly, the mobile unit 110 includes a user or an automated system that provides power and receives output from the mobile unit 110. The BTS 112 is communicatively coupled to the network telecommunications 114, which may consist of wired and wireless network elements. The telecommunications network 114 can be, for example, a network such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a direct connection, a Public Interrupted Telephone Network (PSTN). , a wireless communications network, or the like, to provide communication services between users (not shown). The prepaid application server 116 provides the registration and operational management functions for the wireless prepaid service and is communicatively coupled to a prepaid application database 118 that provides storage capabilities. It should be noted that the prepaid application server 116 is illustrated as a single component for illustrative purposes only and may comprise one or more servers or network elements. In addition, the prepaid application database 118 may be a self-sufficient database system or integrated into the prepaid application server 116. The prepaid application database 118 may comprise an electronic storage medium, such as, for example, a hard disk, a tape memory, optical discs, memory, a storage area network (SAN), or the like. The activation server 120 and the activation database 122 provide mobile unit activation / deactivation capabilities for the wireless prepayment application. Generally, a mobile unit 110 is identified by one or more unique identifiers. In one embodiment, the mobile unit 110 is identified by the combination of the International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI), a SIM card identifier, and a telephone number. The activation server 120 and the activation database 122 activate the mobile unit 110 so that the mobile unit 110 can make and receive telephone calls. The mobile unit 110 may also be deactivated for some predetermined time or predetermined event, such as use of allocated time or the like. It should be noted that the activation server 120 and the activation database 122 may be in a separate entity, or may be integrated into another network element, such as, for example, the prepaid application server 116 and the base of prepaid application data 118, respectively. In one embodiment, the activation server 120 and the activation database 122 are maintained by a third party. Such a third party is a GEMPLUS, located in Dallas, Texas, which provides an activation / deactivation interface between the prepaid application server 116 and the bearer databases 124. The bearer databases 124 represent the databases of wireless service providers of the active mobile units, such as the mobile unit 110. Generally, each wireless service provider (not shown) only allows mobile units that have been authorized or activated to make or receive telephone calls. Thus, the wireless prepayment application can control the ability of the mobile unit 110 to make or receive calls by modification (or instruction of the wireless service provider to modify) the location of the mobile unit 110 in the appropriate carrier database 124 In the same way, as discussed below, the ability of the mobile unit 110 to use different networks of wireless service providers can be controlled by modifying each carrier database of the wireless service provider 124 independently. The operation and interaction of the wireless prepaid service is discussed below with reference to Figures 2-7. Figure 2 is a data flow diagram representing the steps that can be used to configure the mobile units, such as mobile unit 110 of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process begins at step 210, where the manufactured mobile units are received, and step 212, where the mobile units are configured. Generally, manufacturers produce mobile units and sell mobile units in quantity to wholesalers. At this point, the mobile units are not configured for operation, and thus, must be properly configured before being used in accordance with the present invention. Each mobile unit is preferably identified exclusively by one or more identifiers. In one embodiment of the present invention, each mobile unit is uniquely identified by the IMIE and a telephone number. In the preferred embodiment discussed above in which the mobile units are adapted to receive a SIM card, each mobile unit is further identified by the SIM card number. The configuration process preferably includes identification of a SIM card, an IMIE of a specific mobile unit, and a telephone number of a mobile unit as a valid combination. In step 214, the unique identifier (which may be a unique number or a combination of numbers) is registered with the bearer database 124. In one embodiment, the registration procedure includes the registration of the unique identifier with the server prepaid application 116 and database 118. Registration of the unique identifier with the prepaid application server 116 allows the wireless prepaid service to manage the minutes of the mobile units, detect fraudulent activities, and provide other services to the customer. In addition, the registration procedure described above can use an activation service, which provides an interface between the wireless prepaid service provider and the wireless network service provider. In this mode, the prepaid application server 116 can notify activation of activation server 120 of the unique identifier and require that mobile unit 110 corresponding to the unique identifier be authorized to be used with one or more wireless service providers. The activation server 120 preferably stores the required activation information in the activation database 122 and transmits a request to one or more carrier databases 124. Thereafter, the mobile unit is capable of placing and receiving services. wireless It should be noted that the registration procedure described above assumes that multiple companies must coordinate their activities for the purpose of providing wireless prepaid services. For example, mobile units are provided by a first company, wireless services are provided by a second company, wireless prepaid service is managed by a third company, and the activation interface is provided by a fourth company. Under different structures, the basic registration procedure described above may remain intact, but some steps and elements of the network may be combined. For example, the prepaid application server 116 can communicate directly with the bearer database 124, thereby eliminating the need for the activation server 120. Figure 3 is a data flow diagram illustrating the steps that are taken. can perform to activate or reactivate a mobile unit 110 after the prepayment of a tariff according to an embodiment of the present invention. The prepayment of a tariff is preferably a quantity specified for a specific amount of time units. The units of time can be based on any period of time, such as units of time, seconds, hours, or the like. In one embodiment, a user prepays for a certain amount of time units. This is commonly referred to as a "fixed rate plan," which is what the user pays for a number of minutes, regardless of when the use occurs. Processing begins at step 310, where the prepayment notification is received. The user can prepay in a variety of methods. For example, the user can prepay by sending a check to the service provider requiring the check to be applied to the user account. The user can also call the prepaid wireless service provider and pay by credit / debit card by giving it by phone or by a credit / debit card on file. Additionally, and preferably, the user has one or more menus in the mobile unit 110 in which the user can take the step by requiring the service provider to withdraw the payment of a debit / credit card on file. In one embodiment, the user can purchase the mobile unit 110 from a vendor and dial a predetermined number or sequence. The predetermined number or sequence may be associated with a particular vendor, special, or other marking program. Once marked, the user connects with a customer service representative or an automated system in which the user is able to prepay the services. For example, a user can buy a mobile unit from a convenience store 7-11. To activate the service, the user can dial "* 711" to prepay for wireless services via credit / debit card. After the wireless prepaid service provider has received the payment, the mobile unit 110 is notified of the time unit capacity as indicated in step 312. As discussed above, it is preferred that the mobile unit 110 registers the number of time units available so as not to require the mobile unit 110 to access the telecommunications network 114 and the application server 116 during each use, thereby using additional ports and resources. Thus, it is preferred that the prepaid application server 116 notify the mobile unit 110 of the capacity of additional time units. In one embodiment, the prepaid application server 116 notifies the mobile unit 110 of the time availability via a short message service (SMS) message. Then, in step 314, it is determined whether the mobile unit has been deactivated or not. A mobile unit 110 can be deactivated when the prepaid time units have been used by the mobile unit 110, when fraudulent activity has been detected, or similar. If the mobile unit 110 has been deactivated, it is necessary to activate or re-activate the mobile unit 110 such that the mobile unit 110 can use the wireless services. Accordingly, if a determination is made that the mobile unit 110 has been deactivated, then the processing proceeds to step 316, wherein the mobile unit 110 is activated. As discussed above, the mobile unit 110 is activated by causing the unique identifier of the mobile unit to be fed into the bearer database 124 to be modified reflecting an active and authorized state of the mobile unit 110. If it is determined that the mobile unit 110 is already activated in step 314 or after activation in step 316, the process ends. It should be noted that in an alternative modality, a variable rate plan can be used. In a variable rate plan, the user prepares a specific amount but the number of time units paid may vary depending on the time of day the mobile unit is used or other factors. In this embodiment, it should be noted that it is preferred that the mobile unit 110, and more preferably the SIM card placed in the mobile unit 110, be configured to administer the variable rate plan. This can be done by the mobile unit 110 and / or the SIM card, by recording the amount in money available and the cost of a call made at different times of the day.

Figure 4 is a data flow diagram representing the steps that can be performed by a mobile unit 110 to use the wireless services in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The processing starts at step 410, where the notification of a call event is received. The call event may be, for example, notification of an incoming call, making an outgoing call, a command received from the user to dial a call or accessing a service via a wireless service provider (eg, web based services ), or similar. Upon receiving the call event, a determination is made in step 412 of whether the account corresponding to the mobile unit 110 is blocked or not. In a normal situation, the account is blocked if the units of time are not available for use or if fraudulent activity associated with the account of the mobile unit was detected. The account can be blocked in other situations. It should be noted that the mobile unit 110 can be configured to deduce units of time in selected call events only. For example, some network configurations use a protocol in which the calling party pays (CPP) so that the entity calling the mobile unit 110 pays for the wireless input associated with the mobile unit 110. In these situations, the event may include the mobile unit 110 making outward calls, but does not include the mobile unit 110 receiving incoming calls. If it is determined in step 412 that the account is blocked, then the processing proceeds to step 414, where it is determined whether the user is attempting to use the mobile unit 110 or not to use an exempt service. In some situations, it is desirable, or required by law, that mobile unit 110 be allowed to perform certain activities. For example, it is desirable that the user be allowed to use the mobile unit 110 to make emergency calls to the 911 emergency services. In addition, it is also desirable that calls be allowed to the customer service number, thereby allowing the user prepay for additional units of time. These services are considered exempt services and can be used without considering the situation of the user's account. Accordingly, if it is determined in step 414 that the user is attempting to use an exempt service, the processing proceeds to step 418, where the call is authorized. Otherwise, the processing proceeds to step 416 where the call is not authorized and, hence, blocked. If, in step 412, it is determined that the account is not blocked, processing proceeds to step 420 where a stopwatch is started. The timer is used as a mechanism to allow the mobile unit 110 to monitor usage and determine when the mobile unit 110 has used the prepaid time units. Thus, after starting the chronometer, the processing enters a circuit represented by steps 422 and 424. In step 422, it is determined whether the duration of the call being made exceeds the maximum allowed duration or not, which normally is set for the number of time units available for use. If the mobile unit 110 has not used the available time units, the processing proceeds to step 424, where it is determined whether the termination notification of the call has been received or not. The call termination notification may be generated, for example, by a remote party disconnecting the call, a fall signal, the user terminating the call, or the like. If the call termination notification has not been received, the processing returns to step 422, where the duration of the call is compared to the available time units. If it is determined in step 422 that the duration of the call being made is greater than the time available, then the processing proceeds to step 426, where the call is disconnected.

In step 428, the available time is updated by subtracting the call duration from the available time. From then on, the processing is finished. In a modality, the decrease of the units of time can cause notifications to the subscriber via text messages or an audio tone. The warnings can indicate to the user how many predetermined amounts of time are left and, preferably, it is given in fixed intervals. For example, warnings can be given when there are 10 minutes left, 5 minutes left, 4 minutes left, 3 minutes left, 2 minutes left, 1 minute left, 30 seconds left, or the like. If audio tones are used, the tones can be played so that only the user of the mobile unit 110 (and not all users who are in communication with it) is able to hear the audio tones. Figure 5 is a data flow diagram depicting the steps you can take to monitor the use of the wireless prepayment by a mobile unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The processing starts at step 510 where the mobile unit 110 uses time units. A process that can be performed by the mobile unit 110 is described below with reference to Figure 4. Upon termination of the call, the wireless service provider transmits a notification of the duration of the call to the prepaid application server 116, as it is illustrated in step 512. It should be noted that the notification is a unique message that can be transmitted via any appropriate communications protocol, including an Ethernet or IP message transmitted via the Internet. In addition, because the message is only sent once after the call is terminated, it is not necessary to maintain connections with an application server 116 before, during, or after the call. In step 514, a determination is made, preferably by the prepayment application server 116, if the total time used is greater than or equal to the authorized or prepaid time or not. The prepaid application server 116 maintains an amount of time units available for each mobile unit 110. If the amount of time units currently used by the mobile unit 110 is less than the authorized or prepaid amount of time, then the processing progresses to step 516, where the authorized time is updated. Otherwise, the processing proceeds to step 518, wherein the mobile unit 110 is deactivated to cause the database entry corresponding to the mobile unit 110 in the bearer database 124 to be deactivated. By deactivating the entry corresponding to the mobile unit 110 in the bearer database 124, the wireless service provider will not allow the mobile unit 110 to use the wireless services. It should be noted that the modalities described above maintain the authorized amount of time in the mobile unit 110 and the prepaid application server 116. The mobile unit 110 maintains the authorized time to control the accessibility of the mobile unit to the wireless services before and during a call. The prepaid application server 116, on the other hand, maintains the authorized time after terminating the call. This double maintenance of the authorized time allows maintenance of the authorized time to be handled first by the mobile unit 110, while allowing the prepaid application server 116 to identify fraudulent activity. For example, when the mobile unit 110 makes a call, the mobile unit 110 monitors the duration of the call and ensures that the duration of the call does not exceed the authorized time. Upon termination of the call, the prepaid application server 116 receives a message from the wireless service provider indicating the duration of the call. If the duration of the call exceeds the authorized time, then the prepaid application server 116 concludes fraudulent activity and deactivates the mobile unit 110.

Figure 6 is a message flow diagram illustrating an interaction between the components of a prepaid wireless service according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the messages have been simplified to better illustrate the features of the present invention. Consequently, each message can be broken down into one or more messages transmitted between one or more components. Initially, a call attempt message 610 is received from the mobile unit 110 via the prepaid application. It should be noted that the prepaid application in the context of Figure 6 refers to the prepaid application stored in the mobile unit 110 (or a SIM card in the mobile unit 110). The prepaid application verifies that the mobile unit 110 has authorized time and transmits an authorization message to the mobile unit 110.

Thereafter, the mobile unit 110 establishes the call with the wireless bearer. During the call, the mobile unit 110 and the prepaid application monitor the duration of the call and verify that the duration of the call does not exceed the authorized time, as indicated by messages 616-620. The period of time between messages 616-620 may be based on a fixed time, variable time, an event, or the like. In one modality, for example, the status can be verified every 30 seconds. The message 622 indicates that in response to the status message 620, the prepayment application determines that the duration of the call exceeds the authorized time, and as a result, the prepaid application instructs the mobile unit 110 to disconnect the call. In response, the mobile unit 110 and the wireless carrier exchange messages to dismount the call. Upon dismantling the call, the wireless bearer transmits a call detail record to the prepaid application server 116. The call detail record contains, among other things, the duration of the call. The prepaid application server 116 derives the duration of the call from the authorized time of the mobile unit. Upon detecting that the authorized time has fallen below a predetermined limit, the prepaid application server 116 instructs the prepaid application to deactivate the wireless services in the message 628 and instructs the wireless bearer to deactivate the mobile unit in the message 630. Figure 7 depicts the steps that can be performed by a mobile unit 110 to connect wireless service providers according to an embodiment of the present invention. This feature allows the user to prepay for a specific amount of time units regardless of the wireless service provider. Better, the wireless prepaid service provider purchases minutes from multiple wireless service providers that have overlapping or complementary service areas. As the mobile unit 110 moves from one area to another, the mobile unit 110 can automatically connect to wireless service providers. The prepaid time units can be independent of the wireless service provider. Processing begins in step 710, where it is determined whether the service is available from the wireless service provider selected at the time or not. The wireless service provider selected at the time may be initialized to an unpaid wireless service provider or may be initialized to the previously used wireless service provider. In some situations, it is desirable for the prepaid service provider to assign an unpaid wireless service provider based on promotional programs, distribute minutes in proportion to minutes purchased from each wireless service provider, or the like. If it is determined that the service is available from the wireless service provider selected at the time, then the processing proceeds to step 712, wherein the mobile unit 110 is enabled to allow wireless services. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the service is not available from the wireless service provider selected at the time, then the processing proceeds to step 714, where it is determined whether other service providers are available or not. If other service providers are not available, then processing proceeds to step 720, where the user is notified that the wireless service is not available at the time. If it is determined that other service providers are available, then the processing proceeds to step 716, where the wireless service provider connects. In the mode in which the SIM cards are used to control the mobile unit, the connection to the service provider can be made by updating the IMSI values and the Ki files in the SIM card. A REFRESH command can be performed as indicated in step 718 to load the new values into the mobile unit. Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it is to be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made here without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular modalities of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the description of the present invention, processes, machines, fabrication, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, which currently or subsequently exist to be developed, and which perform completely the same function or achieve completely the same result according to the corresponding embodiments described herein that can be used according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope the processes, machines, fabrication, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims (32)

1. CLAIMS 1. A mobile unit comprising memory and a storage medium, characterized in that the storage medium includes computer program code configured to perform the steps of: recovering from the memory an available amount of time that the mobile unit is authorized to use for wireless services with the mobile unit; allow the mobile unit to use wireless services for a first period of time, the first period of time that is less than or equal to the amount available; and deduct the first time period from the available amount.
2. 2. The mobile unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage means is a subscriber interface module (SIM) card.
3. 3. The mobile unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory is a subscriber interface module (SIM) card.
4. 4. The mobile unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile unit uses the wireless services via GSM, CDMA, TDMA, or GPRS communication protocol.
5. The mobile unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer program code is further configured to receive an indication that the user has prepaid for a second amount of time and adds the second amount of time to the available amount of time.
6. The mobile unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the indication is received via a short message service (SMS) message.
7. The mobile unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer program code is further configured to provide a notification to the user when the available amount of time reaches one or more thresholds.
8. The mobile unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the notification comprises an audio tone or a text message.
9. 9. The mobile unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the wireless services include receiving an incoming call.
10. 10. The mobile unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the wireless services include making an outgoing ca
11. ll. A mobile unit comprising memory and a storage medium, characterized in that the storage medium includes computer program code configured to perform the steps of: storing in memory a first number of fixed rate time units that the mobile unit is preauthorized to use; receiving a first indication that a user is attempting to use the mobile unit to connect to a wireless service provider; recover the first quantity of the fixed rate time units of the memory; determine whether the first number of fixed rate time units is above a first limit; and, in determining whether the first number of fixed rate time units is above the first limit, allow the mobile unit to connect to the wireless service provider.
12. 12. The mobile unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the storage means is a subscriber interface module (SIM) card.
13. The mobile unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the memory is a subscriber interface module (SIM) card.
14. The mobile unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the mobile unit uses the wireless services via GSM, CDMA, TDMA, or GPRS communication protocol.
15. The mobile unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the counting program code is further configured to receive a second indication that the user has prepaid for a second amount of time and adds the second amount of time to the first available amount of fixed rate units.
16. 16. The mobile unit according to claim 15, characterized in that the second indication is received via a short message service (SMS) message.
17. 17. The mobile unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the counting program code is further configured to provide a notification to the user when the available amount of time reaches one or more thresholds.
18. 18. The mobile unit according to claim 17, characterized in that the notification comprises an audio tone or a text message.
19. 19. The mobile unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the wireless services include receiving an incoming call.
20. The mobile unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the wireless services include making an outgoing call.
21. 21. A mobile unit comprising memory and a storage medium, characterized in that the storage means includes computer program code configured to perform the steps of: recovering from the memory a first amount of fixed rate minutes that the mobile unit is preauthorized to use for wireless services; monitor a first period of time that the mobile unit uses wireless services; and cause wireless services to be disconnected when the first period of time is greater than, or equal to, the first number of fixed rate minutes.
22. 22. The mobile unit according to claim 21, characterized in that the storage means is a subscriber interface module (SIM) card.
23. 23. The mobile unit according to claim 21, characterized in that the memory is a subscriber interface module (SIM) card.
24. 24. The mobile unit according to claim 21, characterized in that the mobile unit uses the wireless services via GSM, CDMA, TDMA, or GPRS communications protocol.
25. 25. The mobile unit according to claim 21, characterized in that the counting program code is further configured to receive a second indication that the user has prepaid for a second amount of time and adds the second amount of time to the first number of fixed rate units.
26. 26. The mobile unit according to claim 25, characterized in that the second • indication is received via a short message service (SMS) message.
27. 27. The mobile unit according to claim 21, characterized in that the computer program code is further configured to provide a notification to the user when the available amount of time reaches one or more thresholds.
28. 28. The mobile unit according to claim 27, characterized in that the notification comprises an audio tone or a text message.
29. 29. A prepaid application system having a storage means, the storage means characterized in that it includes a computer program code configured to perform the steps of: receiving an indication that a user of a mobile device has prepaid for a first number of fixed rate minutes of wireless services; and notifying the mobile unit that the mobile unit is authorized to use the first number of fixed rate minutes of wireless services.
30. 30. The prepaid application system according to claim 29, characterized in that the notification step is performed by transmitting a short message service (SMS) message to the mobile unit.
31. 31. A prepaid application system having a storage means, the storage means characterized in that it includes computer program code configured to perform the steps of: receiving an indication that a mobile unit has used a first amount of time of wireless services; determine if the first amount of time is greater than or equal to the fixed rate time prepaid amount; and deactivating the mobile unit if the first amount of time is greater than or equal to the fixed rate time prepaid amount.
32. 32. A prepaid application system having a storage medium, the storage means characterized in that it includes computer program code configured to perform the steps of: receiving an indication that a user of a mobile device has prepaid for wireless services; and notifying a plurality of wireless service providers that the mobile device is authorized to use the wireless service provider.