Method and apparatus for selecting the most cost-efficient payment provider to pay for communication services

Abstract

A method and apparatus for selecting the most cost-efficient payment provider to pay for communication services are disclosed. A calling electronic device communicates alternative payment provider data to a network via a communications link. The network examines costs charged by a plurality of alternative payment providers indicated by the alternative payment provider data. The network determines and contacts the most cost-efficient payment provider to determine if the contacted payment provider will accept responsibility for paying for at least a portion of the communication services.

1 . A method for call payment in a mobile unit comprising:
 initiating a call from the mobile unit;   automatically transmitting a first payment provider information from the mobile unit;   automatically transmitting a second payment provider information on a condition that the first payment information is not accepted; and   proceeding with the call on a condition that the first or second payment provider information is accepted.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 requesting authorization from a user of the mobile unit before transmitting payment provider information; and   automatically transmitting payment provider information on a condition that authorization is provided and on a condition that authorization is approved.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 requesting manual entry of additional payment provider information from the user of the mobile unit on a condition that authorization is not provided;   transmitting the additional payment provider information on a condition that the user manually enters additional payment provider information; and   proceeding with the call on a condition that the additional payment provider information is accepted.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 advising a user of the mobile unit that the call cannot proceed on a condition that the first and second payment provider information was not accepted.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 requesting manual entry of additional payment provider information from the user of the mobile unit;   transmitting the additional payment provider information on a condition that the user manually enters additional payment provider information; and   proceeding with the call on a condition that the manual entry additional payment provider information is accepted.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 requesting authorization from the user of the mobile unit on a condition that a call cost exceeds an authorized amount;   proceeding with the call on a condition that authorization is provided; and   ending the call on a condition that authorization is not provided.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 retrieving payment provider information;   determining a most cost-effective payment provider based on payment provider information wherein the determining the most cost-effective payment provider is based on at least one of an analysis of call duration, data length, or rewards; and   using the determined most cost-effective payment provider as the first payment provider information.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the payment provider information is retrieved from mobile unit memory. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the payment provider information is retrieved from a subscriber identity module (SIM) card. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the payment provider information is credit card information. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the payment provider information is debit card information. 
   
   
       12 . A mobile unit for call payment comprising:
 a call initiation component configured to initiate a call from the mobile unit;   a transmitting component configured to automatically transmit a first payment provider information from the mobile unit;   the transmitting component configured to automatically transmit a second payment provider information on a condition that the first payment information is not accepted; and   the mobile unit configured to proceed with the call on a condition that the first or second payment provider information is accepted.   
   
   
       13 . The mobile unit of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a requester component configured to request authorization from a user of the mobile unit before the transmitting component transmits payment provider information; and   the transmitting component further configured to automatically transmit payment provider information on a condition that authorization is provided and on a condition that authorization is approved.   
   
   
       14 . The mobile unit of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 the requester component further configured to request manual entry of additional payment provider information from the user of the mobile unit on a condition that authorization is not provided;   the transmitting component further configured to transmit the additional payment provider information on a condition that the user manually enters additional payment provider information; and   the mobile unit configured to proceed with the call on a condition that the additional payment provider information is accepted.   
   
   
       15 . The mobile unit of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an advisor component configured to advise a user of the mobile unit that the call cannot proceed on a condition that the first and second payment provider information was not accepted.   
   
   
       16 . The mobile unit of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a requester component configured to request manual entry of additional payment provider information from the user of the mobile unit;   the transmitting component further configured to transmit the additional payment provider information on a condition that the user manually enters additional payment provider information; and   the mobile unit further configured to proceed with the call on a condition that the manual entry additional payment provider information is accepted.   
   
   
       17 . The mobile unit of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a requester component further configured to request authorization from the user of the mobile unit on a condition that a call cost exceeds an authorized amount;   the mobile unit further configured to proceed with the call on a condition that authorization is provided; and   the mobile unit further configured to end the call on a condition that authorization is not provided.   
   
   
       18 . The mobile unit of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a retrieval component configured to retrieve payment provider information;   a processing component configured to determine a most cost-effective payment provider based on payment provider information wherein the determining the most cost-effective payment provider is based on at least one of an analysis of call duration, data length, or rewards; and   the mobile unit further configured to use the determined most cost-effective payment provider as the first payment provider information.   
   
   
       19 . The mobile unit of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a mobile unit memory from which the payment provider information is retrieved.   
   
   
       20 . The mobile unit of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
     a subscriber identity module (SIM) card from which the payment provider information is retrieved. 
   
   
       21 . The mobile unit of  claim 12 , wherein the payment provider information is credit card information. 
   
   
       22 . The mobile unit of  claim 12 , wherein the payment provider information is debit card information.