Method and apparatus for authorizing a calling card telephone call
View Patent ↗Method and apparatus for authorizing a calling card telephone call are described. In one example, a telephone calling card includes a planar body having a memory system, an input circuit, a controller, and a display. The memory system is configured to store key code information. The input circuit is configured to receive a personal identification number (PIN). The controller is configured to derive a key code from the key code information using the PIN. The display is configured to present the key code. The user may then use the key code for purposes of authorizing a call made using a calling card. The key code may change from time-to-time as the user uses the calling card. Since the user's PIN is not entered into a telephone by the user, the calling card is less susceptible to unauthorized and/or fraudulent use by third parties.
1. A telephone calling card apparatus, comprising:
a planar card body having mounted thereon:
a memory system configured to store key code information;
an input circuit configured to receive a personal identification number (PIN);
a controller configured to derive a key code from the key code information using the PIN; and
a display configured to present the key code, wherein the key code is used at a call processor to authorize a call without transmitting the PIN.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the memory system comprises a non-volatile memory system.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the key code information comprises a plurality of key codes associated with the PIN, and wherein the controller is configured to derive the key code by selecting one of the plurality of key codes.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the key code information comprises a key code algorithm, and wherein the controller is configured to derive the key code by executing the key code algorithm using the PIN as parametric input.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to execute the key code algorithm using additional data in combination with the PIN as parametric input.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the planar card body further includes:
a communication interface, coupled to the memory system, configured to receive the key code information for storage in the memory system.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input circuit comprises an input keypad, and wherein the display comprises a digital read-out display.
8. A method of processing a telephone call, comprising:
receiving a request for a call using a calling card and a user account;
receiving a key code generated by the calling card, the key code being derived from key code information stored on the calling card using a personal identification number (PIN) associated with the user account;
verifying authorization for the call by validating the key code without the PIN being transmitted;
prompting for a telephone number; and
routing the call based on the telephone number.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the key code information comprises a plurality of key codes associated with the PIN, and wherein the step of verifying comprises:
searching a database to verify that the key code is one of the plurality of key codes associated with the PIN.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the key code information comprises a key code algorithm, and wherein the step of verifying comprises:
recovering the PIN by executing an inverse of the key code algorithm using the key code as parametric input.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the PIN is recovered using additional data in combination with the key code as parametric input.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the request and the key code are received at a call processing center of a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) service provider.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the request for the call is received from a first endpoint and the telephone number is associated with a second endpoint, each of the first and second endpoints being coupled to a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and wherein the call is routed over a packet network.
14. A communication system, comprising:
a first endpoint configured to provide a request for a call;
a second endpoint;
a calling card configured to generate a key code derived from key code information using a personal identification number (PIN) associated with a user account; and
a call processing center configured to verify authorization for the call by validating the key code without the PIN being transmitted, to prompt for a telephone number of the second endpoint, and to rout the call from the first endpoint to the second endpoint.
15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a packet network;
wherein the call processing center routes the call through the packet network.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first endpoint and the second endpoint are each coupled to a public switched telephone network (PSTN).
17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the calling card comprises:
a planar card body having mounted thereon:
a memory system configured to store the key code information;
an input circuit configured to receive the PIN;
a controller configured to derive the key code from the key code information using the PIN; and
a display configured to present the key code.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the key code information comprises a plurality of key codes associated with the PIN, and wherein the controller is configured to derive the key code by selecting one of the plurality of key codes.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the key code information comprises a key code algorithm, and wherein the controller is configured to derive the key code by executing the key code algorithm using the PIN as parametric input.
20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the planar card body further includes:
a communication interface, coupled to the memory system, configured to receive the key code information for storage in the memory system.