Casual usage alternate billing

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a casual usage alternate billing. More particularly, the invention encompasses a method and an apparatus for casual usage alternate billing. The invention intercepts a call, especially a dial-around call, to either verify the existence of information in a database or to obtain and authenticate a mode of payment prior to allowing the call to proceed.

1 . A billing method, comprising:
 intercepting a dial-around call placed from a first communication device to at least one second communication device;   checking at least a portion of information from the first communication device against a first database; and   allowing the call to proceed if information exists for the first communication device in the database, or allowing the first communication device to provide additional information to continue the call.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least a portion of information from the first communication device comprises a phone number of the first communication device. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional information from the first communication device comprises a mode of payment. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the mode of payment comprises at least one of: a credit card, a debit card, a calling card, a pre-paid calling card, or a third party payment arrangement. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the mode of payment for the call is billed immediately upon a termination of the call. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the call is terminated if the first communication device is unable to provide additional information. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional information is verified and authenticated before the call is allowed to proceed. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the call from the first communication device to the at least one second communication device is intercepted prior to a completion of the call. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first communication device comprises at least one of: a telephone, a cellular phone, a lap-top, or a PDA. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second communication device comprises at least one of: a telephone, a cellular phone, a lap-top, or a PDA. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for billing, comprising:
 at least one means for intercepting a dial-around call placed from a first communication device to at least one second communication device;   at least one means for checking at least a portion of information from the first communication device against a first database; and   means for allowing the call to proceed if information exists for the first communication device in the database, or allowing the first communication device to provide additional information to continue the call.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said at least a portion of information from the first communication device comprises a phone number of the first communication device. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the additional information from the first communication device comprises a mode of payment. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the mode of payment comprises at least one of: a credit card, a debit card, a calling card, a pre-paid calling card, or a third party payment arrangement. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the mode of payment for the call is billed immediately upon a termination of the call. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the call is terminated if the first communication device is unable to provide additional information. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the additional information is verified and authenticated before the call is allowed to proceed. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the call from the first communication device to the at least one second communication device is intercepted prior to a completion of the call. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first communication device comprises at least one of: a telephone, a cellular phone, a lap-top, or a PDA. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the second communication device comprises at least one of: a telephone, a cellular phone, a lap-top, or a PDA. 
   
   
       21 . A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps of a billing method, comprising:
 intercepting a dial-around call placed from a first communication device to at least one second communication device;   checking at least a portion of information from the first communication device against a first database; and   allowing the call to proceed if information exists for the first communication device in the database, or allowing the first communication device to provide additional information to continue the call.