Addison Andrew Barksdale

US Patent:

20090061817, Mar 5, 2009

Filed:

Nov 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/268539

Inventors:

Addison A. Barksdale - Norcross GA, US
Jamie Sims - Atlanta GA, US
Larry D. Powell - Alpharetta GA, US

International Classification:

H04M 11/00

US Classification:

455406

Abstract:

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for rolling over unused credits. An available number of service units is provided during a billing cycle. The number of service units consumed during the billing cycle is compared to the available number of service units. When service units remain at an end of the billing cycle, then unused service units are rolled over to another billing cycle.

US Patent:

7457777, Nov 25, 2008

Filed:

Dec 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/749993

Inventors:

Addison A. Barksdale - Norcross GA, US
Jamie Sims - Atlanta GA, US
Larry D. Powell - Alpharetta GA, US

Assignee:

AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06Q 40/00

US Classification:

705 37, 705 34, 705 30

Abstract:

A service provided to a customer is measurable in quantifiable service units used thereby such that billing to the customer is based on a number of the service units used. The customer obtains service unit credits to be applied against service units used, and the service is billed according to a billing cycle. For each billing cycle, service unit credits obtained and extant are applied against the service units used during the billing cycle. Service unit credits remaining after such application are carried forward to be available during a subsequent billing cycle. The customer is allowed to treat service unit credits as a commodity, whereby the commoditized service unit credits may be bought, sold, and/or traded for services and/or goods.