Methods and systems for 1+ prepaid routing service

• US 20040174978A1
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bedingfield, James C., LaPierre, Stephen R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,095,834 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/221.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/90 using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/016 Billing using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13138 Least cost routing, LCR
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 Traffic distributors

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for automatically routing a long distance call placed by a subscriber to a prepaid service provider. Six exemplary methods are discussed for allowing the prepaid subscriber to directly dial a called party'"'"'s long distance telephone number, and then routing the placed call to a prepaid service. The subscriber, in each case, is not required to first dial the telephone number of the prepaid service provider before dialing the called party.

Claims

1. A method for automatically routing a long distance call from a subscriber terminal to a prepaid platform comprising:

receiving a dial string from the subscriber terminal, wherein the dial string consists of a long distance number;

receiving a profile record comprising subscriber data from a database server, wherein the subscriber data comprises a calling number and routing instructions;

extracting the routing instructions from the subscriber data;

routing the long distance call from the subscriber terminal to the prepaid platform in accordance with the routing instructions; and

forwarding the calling number and the long distance number to the prepaid platform.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dial string comprises a feature code followed by a long distance number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the routing instructions comprise a class of service routing parameter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the dial string consists of a feature code followed by a long distance number.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the database server comprises a Signal Control Point (SCP).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscriber data further comprises a personal identification number (PIN).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the forwarding step further comprises forwarding the PIN to the prepaid platform.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the calling number, the PIN, and the long distance number are forwarded to the prepaid platform encapsulated within a Signaling System 7 (SS7) message.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the SS7 message comprises an Initial Address Message (IAM).

10. A system for automatically routing a long distance call from a subscriber terminal to a prepaid platform comprising:

a subscriber terminal for receiving a dial string from a subscriber, wherein the dial string consists of a long distance telephone number;

a database server for storing subscriber data, wherein the subscriber data comprises a calling number and routing instructions;

a signal communications network comprised of a plurality of interconnected communications switches for routing a communications message;

a signal control network comprised of a plurality of interconnected packet switches for routing a control message, wherein a control message directs the path of the communications message through the signal communications network; and

a prepaid platform for providing the subscriber with access to long distance communications services;

wherein the subscriber terminal is connected to the signal communications network;

wherein the signal control network is connected to the signal communications network and the prepaid platform;

wherein the prepaid platform is connected to the signal communications network and the signal control network; and

wherein in response to the subscriber inputting the dial string, the communications message generated from the subscriber terminal is routed from the subscriber terminal via the signal communications network to the prepaid platform in accordance with the routing instructions, and the calling number and the long distance number are forwarded to the prepaid platform via the signal control network.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the subscriber data further comprises a personal identification number (PIN).

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the signal communications network is comprised of a plurality of interconnected ISDN switches for routing a communications message.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the dial string consists of a feature code followed by a long distance number.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the routing instructions comprises a class of service parameter.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the dial string consists of a feature code followed by a long distance number.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the database server comprises a Signal Control Point (SCP).

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the PIN is forwarded to the prepaid platform via the signal control network.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the calling number, the PIN, and the long distance number are forwarded to the prepaid platform encapsulated within a Signaling System 7 (SS7) message.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the SS7 message comprises an Initial Address Message (IAM).