System and Method for Providing Prepaid Language Interpretation Services

Abstract

A method is provided. The method provides a user with a prepaid account with a predetermined number of units for language interpretation service. Further, the method provides a live language interpretation service, through a telephone call, to the user. In addition, the method deducts one or more units from the predetermined number of units in the prepaid account based on a duration of the telephone call in addition to any units deducted by a telephone service provider for telephone service based on the duration of the telephone call.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing a user with a prepaid account with a predetermined number of units for language interpretation service;   providing a live language interpretation service, through a telephone call, to the user; and   deducting one or more units from the predetermined number of units in the prepaid account based on a duration of the telephone call in addition to any units deducted by a telephone service provider for telephone service based on the duration of the telephone call.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user utilizes a mobile telephone for the telephone call. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user utilizes a landline telephone for the telephone call. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the units deducted by the telephone service provider are for domestic telephone calls. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the units deducted by the telephone service provider are for international telephone calls. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving, from the user during the telephone call, an indication of a specific language to be interpreted. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving, from the user, payment via a credit card for the predetermined number of units for the language interpretation service. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving, from the user, payment via a debit card for the predetermined number of units for the language interpretation service. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined number of units are measured in minutes. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the units deducted by the telephone service provider are measured in minutes. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a telephone utilized to communicate through a telephone call to a user; and   a computer that stores a prepaid account, corresponding to the user, with a predetermined number of units for language interpretation service, provides a live language interpretation service, through a telephone call, to the user, and deducts one or more units from the predetermined number of units in the prepaid account based on a duration of the telephone call in addition to any units charged by a telephone service provider for telephone service based on the duration of the telephone call.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the user utilizes a mobile telephone for the telephone call. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the user utilizes a landline telephone for the telephone call. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the units deducted by the telephone service provider are for domestic telephone calls. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the units deducted by the telephone service provider are for international telephone calls. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving, from the user, payment via a credit card for the predetermined number of units for the language interpretation service. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving, from the user, payment via a debit card for the predetermined number of units for the language interpretation service. 
     
     
         18 . A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
 provide a user with a prepaid account with a predetermined number of units for language interpretation service;   provide a live language interpretation service, through a telephone call, to the user; and   deduct one or more units from the predetermined number of units in the prepaid account based on a duration of the telephone call in addition to any units deducted by a telephone service provider for telephone service based on the duration of the telephone call.   
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 18 , wherein the computer readable program when executed on the computer further causes the computer to receive, from the user, payment via a credit card for the predetermined number of units for the language interpretation service. 
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 18 , wherein the computer readable program when executed on the computer further causes the computer to receive, from the user, payment via a debit card for the predetermined number of units for the language interpretation service.