Telephone calling account system and method

Abstract

A telephone calling account system, method, and card. The method typically includes determining a preexisting account designator of a preexisting account, creating a telephone calling account on a calling platform, and assigning to the telephone calling account the preexisting account designator of the preexisting account.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of creating a telephone calling account on a calling platform, the method comprising: 
 receiving a request related to a preexisting account having a preexisting account number, the request being to create a telephone calling account having the same account number as the preexisting account, wherein the preexisting account has an associated account number that enables an owner to use the account for a non-telephone- related function;    obtaining the preexisting account number of the preexisting account;    creating a telephone calling account on the calling platform; and    assigning to the telephone calling account the preexisting account number of the preexisting account.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, after creation of the telephone calling account, the same number may be used as the account number for the non-telephone related purpose, and as the account number for the telephone calling account.  
     
     
         3 . A method for creating a calling account on a calling platform, the method comprising: 
 determining an account number remotely from the calling platform, where the account number is configured to be used for a non-telephone-related function;    creating a telephone calling account on the calling platform; and    assigning the remotely determined account number to the telephone calling account on the calling platform; 
 wherein the remotely determined account number is the same as a preexisting account number of a preexisting account.  
   
     
     
         4 . A telephone system, comprising: 
 a calling platform;    a database configured to store an account number corresponding to a calling account on the calling platform; and    a remote server linked to the database, the remote server being configured to instruct the account database to create a new account associated with the platform having a predetermined account number; 
 wherein the predetermined account number is the same as a preexisting account number of a preexisting account, and the preexisting account number is configured to be used for a non-telephone-related function.  
   
     
     
         5 . A card, comprising: 
 a surface; and    an account number imprinted upon the surface, the account number being associated with a first, preexisting account, and with a second, later established account; 
 where the first, preexisting account enables the account number to be used for a non-telephone-related function; and  
 where the second, later established account is a telephone calling account having the same account number as the first, preexisting account.  
   
     
     
         6 . A card for use with a plurality of accounts, comprising: 
 a card;    a first account linked to the card, the first account being configured to enable a user to accomplish a non-telephone related purpose; and    a second account linked to the card, the second account being configured to enable a user to make a telephone call.    
     
     
         7 . The card of  claim 6 , wherein the non-telephone related purpose is the purchase of goods and services.  
     
     
         8 . The card of  claim 7 , wherein the card is a credit card.  
     
     
         9 . The card of  claim 7 , wherein the card is a bank card.  
     
     
         10 . The card of  claim 7 , wherein the card is a debit card.  
     
     
         11 . The card of  claim 7 , wherein the card is a stored-value card.  
     
     
         12 . The card of  claim 7 , wherein the card is a dining card.  
     
     
         13 . The card of  claim 6 , wherein the card is a mileage card.  
     
     
         14 . The card of  claim 6 , wherein the first account and the second account have the same account number.  
     
     
         15 . The card of  claim 6 , wherein the second account is created after the card is in circulation.