Abstract:
A rule set is used to determine at least one rule for authorizing a transaction debiting an account of an authorized user. Subsequently, the account is debited, according to the at least one rule, in real time if the transaction is authorized. The real time debit is settled with transaction providers in accordance with at least one settlement rule. If it is determined that the authorized user does not have sufficient funds in an authorized user account to debit for the transaction, the authorized user account may be recharged by a recharge routine that includes determining a recharge user account to transfer funds from and authorizing the transfer by at least one of referring to a pre-authorized transfer and requesting authorization from the authorized user. The transaction may be requested and the transaction providers may be connected via heterogeneous networks.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing mobile commerce, electronic commerce, customer care and communication services via a plurality of networks, including receiving in a roaming network from a user device, an identification number and a request for a service, forwarding from the roaming network, to a home network, the identification number, the request for the service, and adding a service provider identification number that relates to a service provider and a cost or rate of the service, if the service is to be charged, verifying, by a convergent communication platform located on the home network, that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the service and that the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for the service, providing an authorization to the service provider, if the identification number relates to the valid user account, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the valid user account has sufficient value, if the service is to be charged and charging the valid user account on a real time basis, if necessary, for providing the service, if the service is to be charged.