Toll-free calling account recharge system and method
A calling account recharge system, method, and device are provided. The device has an associated stored-value calling account, and typically includes a selector, a communications program configured to communicate with a recharge service via a communication network, and a recharge option selectable by a user upon actuation of the selector. The recharge option is configured to cause the communications program to initiate a recharge transaction with the recharge service via the communication network, in order to add calling units to the stored-value calling account. The device may be configured to access the communication network via a toll-free gateway.
1. A wireless telephone device having an associated stored-value account, the wireless telephone device comprising:
a selector;
a communications program configured to communicate with a recharge service via a communication network; and
a recharge option selectable by a user upon actuation of the selector, the recharge option being configured to cause the communications program to contact a recharge server of the recharge service and add a recharge amount to the stored-value account and to initiate both a connection to the communication network and a recharge transaction with the recharge service via the communication network, in order to add calling units to the stored-value account.
2. The wireless telephone device of claim 1 , wherein the recharge server is a web server, the communications program includes a web browser, the recharge option is a link to the web server of the recharge service, and wherein selection of the link causes the web browser to download a recharge web site for display on the wireless telephone device.
3. The wireless telephone device of claim 1 , wherein the recharge amount is a user-selectable recharge amount.
4. The wireless telephone device of claim 1 , wherein the recharge amount is added to the account without further user input.
5. The wireless telephone device of claim 1 , wherein the communications program includes a telephone communications program and the communication network includes the PSTN, and wherein selection of the recharge option is configured to cause the telephone communications program to initiate a telephone call to an Integrated Voice Response system at the recharge service.
6. The telephone device of claim 1 , wherein the communications program includes a telephone communications program and the communication network includes the PSTN, and wherein selection of the recharge option is configured to cause the telephone communications program to initiate a telephone call to a live customer service representative at the recharge service.
7. The wireless telephone device of claim 1 , wherein the selector is a key, a soft key, a hard key, an icon on a touch screen or a voice command.
8. The wireless telephone device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a low-balance indicator configured to indicate to the user that the account balance of the stored-value account has dropped below a predetermined threshold.
9. The wireless telephone device of claim 1 , wherein the recharge option is selectable by at most one touch by the user, from a top menu of the wireless telephone device.
10. A method of recharging a stored-value account, comprising:
installing a recharge option in a wireless telephone device, the recharge option being configured to initiate a recharge transaction, in order to add calling units to a stored-value account associated with the wireless telephone device;
displaying the recharge option on the wireless telephone device;
receiving a user selection of the recharge option; and
in response to the received user selection of the recharge option, contacting a recharge server of a recharge service and adding a recharge amount to the stored-value account and both establishing a connection to a communication network and initiating the recharge transaction.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
detecting that a balance of the stored-value account associated with the wireless telephone device is below a predetermined amount.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the recharge option is displayed as a menu option on a display of the wireless telephone device, is displayed as an icon, is made by selection of a key.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein, from a top menu of the wireless telephone device, the recharge option is configured to be selected by at most one touch of a key by a user.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the wireless telephone device includes a web browser, the method further comprising:
downloading a recharge web site from the recharge service, and displaying the web site on the wireless telephone.
15. The method of claim 10 , the method further comprising:
receiving user selection of the recharge amount.
16. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
receiving information relating to a payment account for paying for the user-selected recharge option; and
applying fraud detection measures in association with the payment account.
17. The method of claim 10 , further comprising, processing the recharge transaction and adding units to the stored value account.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the recharge option is a telephone link to the recharge service, and establishing a connection includes calling an Integrated Voice Response system at the recharge service via a PSTN.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the recharge option is a telephone link to a live customer service representative at the recharge service.
20. A pre-paid wireless telephone recharge system, comprising:
a recharge server connected to a communication network, the recharge server being configured to perform a recharge transaction on a stored-value account; and
a web-enabled wireless telephone device having a recharge option installed thereon, the recharge option being selectable by a user upon actuation of a user input device on the wireless telephone device, the recharge option further being configured to cause a communication program on the wireless telephone device to initiate both a connection to the communication network and a recharge transaction with the recharge server via the communication network, in order to add units to the stored-value account.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein, from a top menu of the wireless telephone device, the recharge option configured to be selectable by a user of the wireless telephone device by at most one touch of a user input device of the wireless telephone device.
22. The system of claim 20 , wherein the communication network includes a WAN, and the communication program includes a web browser, and wherein upon selection of the recharge option, the web browser is configured to download a recharge web site from a recharge server at the recharge service.
23. The system of claim 20 , wherein the communication network includes a PSTN, and the communication program includes a telephone communications program, and wherein upon selection of the recharge option, the telephone communications program is configured to place a telephone call to the recharge service.
24. A method for use in a wireless telephone device having a display, the method comprising:
storing in the device while the device is not in communication with a recharge service, a balance of a stored value account;
detecting that the stored balance is lower than a predetermined threshold; and
presenting a recharge option on a display of the device, the recharge option being configured to be selected by a user; and
initiating, by said recharge option when selected, both a connection to a communication network and a recharge transaction, in order to add units to the stored value account.