Apparatus and method for screening foreign incollect calls to domestic non-collect call telephone numbers to reduce fraud

• US 5,465,293 A
• Filed: 12/30/1993
• Issued: 11/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Telephone & Telegraph Company (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Coulter, Peter I., Petillo, Richard J., Chiller, Martin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dharia, Parag
• Application Number:
  US08/175,875
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 379/111, 379/112, 379/115, 379/126, 379/121, 379/188, 379/189, 379/201, 379/207, 379/197, 379/196, 379/67
• US Class Current: 379/114.14
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/60 Semi-automatic systems, i.e. in which the numerical selection of the outgoing line is under the control of an operator

Abstract

An apparatus and method for automating the processing of foreign collect calls to U.S. telephone numbers. By automating the check of the U.S. telephone number against the pay telephone numbers and other non-billable numbers in U.S. databases, the amount of foreign operator effort required is reduced. The apparatus and method also reduces the losses to U.S. telephone companies due to foreign collect call processing errors and foreign collect calls fraudulently completed to pay telephones or other non-billable telephone numbers.

Claims

1. An apparatus for identifying to foreign operators foreign incollect calls that are directed to U.S. telephone numbers that are non-billable for collect calls, comprising:

a database containing a plurality of telephone numbers which are non-billable for collect calls;

means for responding to a routing number dialed by a foreign operator processing a telephone number to which a foreign incollect call is directed;

means for receiving and storing the telephone number to which the foreign incollect call is directed from said foreign operator;

means for searching said database to determine if said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed is found therein; and

means for audibly signaling the foreign operator that said incollect call is non-billable for collect calls if said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed is found in said database.

2. An apparatus for identifying to foreign operators foreign incollect calls that are directed to U.S. telephone numbers that are non-billable for collect calls, comprising:

a database containing a plurality of telephone numbers which are non-billable for collect calls;

means for responding to a routing number dialed by a foreign operator processing a foreign incollect call with an automatic prompt for the foreign operator to enter a telephone number to which the foreign incollect call is directed;

means for receiving and storing said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed from said foreign operator;

means for searching said database to determine if said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed is found therein; and

means for audibly signaling the foreign operator that said incollect call is non-billable for collect calls if said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed is found in said database.

3. An apparatus for screening foreign incollect calls, comprising:

a database containing a plurality of numbers which are non-billable for collect calls;

means for responding to a special routing number entered by a foreign operator processing a telephone number to which a foreign incollect call is directed;

means for automatically prompting said foreign operator to enter the telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed;

means for receiving and storing said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed;

means for automatically searching said database to determine if said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed is found therein; and

means responsive to said stored telephone number for completing a connection to a telephone having said telephone number only if said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed is not found in said database.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

means for transmitting an audible indication to said foreign operator of denial of a collect call if said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed is found in said database.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further comprising:

means for connecting said foreign operator to a domestic operator to process said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed as some other type of call than a collect call.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further comprising:

means for stopping a collect call to said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

means for connecting said foreign operator to a domestic operator if said telephone number to which said foreign incollect call is directed is found in said database to arrange alternative billing for said foreign incollect call.

8. An apparatus for screening foreign incollect calls, comprising:

a database containing a plurality of numbers which are non-billable for collect calls;

means for responding to a special routing number entered by a foreign operator processing a number to which a foreign collect call is directed;

means for prompting said foreign operator to enter the number to which said foreign collect call is directed;

means for receiving and storing said number to which said foreign collect call is directed;

means for searching said database to which collect calls cannot be billed to determine if said number to which said foreign incollect call is directed is found therein; and

means for transmitting an audible indication of a denial of a collect call billing to said foreign operator if said number to which said foreign incollect call is directed is found in said database.

9. An apparatus for identifying foreign incollect calls directed to domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone numbers, comprising:

means for decoding a foreign operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is operator assisted;

means for completing the call normally as a non-collect-call to its telephone number if the call is not operator assisted;

means for adding a special access code to the call at an international gateway switch if the call is operator assisted;

means for switching the call from the international gateway switch to a regional long distance switch;

means for stripping the special access code from each call having such a code;

means for switching each such call to an operator services position system over a dedicated trunk;

means for determining by said operator services position system if a telephone number to which the call is directed is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

means for switching the call to a local exchange company for normal completion to the telephone number to which it is directed if the call is to a telephone number that is not in the non-billable for collect calls database;

means for routing the call to an audible message to the foreign operator that the call is non-billable as a collect call if the call is to a telephone number that is in the non-billable for collect calls database;

means for generating a record that this operator assisted call is non-billable as a collect call and

means for switching the call to a switch of said local exchange company for completion.

10. An apparatus for identifying foreign incollect calls directed to domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone numbers, comprising:

means for decoding a foreign operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is operator assisted;

means for completing the call normally as a non-collect-call to its telephone number if the call is not operator assisted;

means for adding a special access code to the call at an international gateway switch if the call is operator assisted;

means for switching the call from the international gateway switch to a regional long distance switch;

means for stripping the special access code from each call having such a code;

means for switching each such call to an operator services position system over a dedicated trunk;

means for determining by said operator services position system if a telephone number to which the call is directed is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

means for switching the call to a domestic operator to determine if the call is a collect call or some other type of operator assisted call;

means for completing the call to a LEC switch if the call is some other type of operator assisted call;

means for arranging for alternative billing of the collect call if the call is a collect call,; and

means for switching the call to the LEC switch for normal completion to said telephone number after such alternative billing is arranged.

11. An apparatus for preventing foreign incollect calls from being billed to a domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone number, comprising:

means for decoding a foreign operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is operator assisted;

means for completing the call normally as a non-collect-call to its telephone number if the call is not operator assisted;

means for switching the call to an operator services position system over a dedicated trunk if the call is operator assisted;

means for determining by said operator services position system if a telephone number to which the call is directed is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

means for switching the call to a telephone company providing local service to the telephone number to which the foreign incollect call is directed for normal completion to the telephone number to which it is directed if the call is to a telephone number that is not in the non-billable for collect calls database;

means for routing the call to an audible message to the foreign operator that the call is non-billable as a collect call if the call is to a telephone number that is in the non-billable for collect calls database;

means for generating a record that this foreign operator assisted call is non-billable as a collect call; and

means for switching the call to a switch of said telephone company providing local service for completion.

12. An apparatus for preventing foreign incollect calls from being billed to a domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone number, comprising:

means for decoding a foreign operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is operator assisted;

means for completing the call normally as a non-collect-call to its telephone number if the call is not operator assisted;

means for switching the call to an operator services position system over a dedicated trunk if the call is operator assisted;

means for determining by said operator services position system if a telephone number to which the call is directed is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

means for switching the call to a domestic operator to determine if the call is a collect call or some other type of operator assisted call;

means for completing the call to said telephone company providing local service to the telephone number to which the call is directed if the call is some other type of operator assisted call;

means for arranging for alternative billing of the collect call if the call is a collect call;

means for switching the call to said telephone company providing local service to the telephone number to which the call is directed for normal completion to its telephone number after such alternative billing is arranged; and

means for stopping the collect call if alternative arrangements is not arranged.

13. A method of preventing foreign incollect calls from being billed to a domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone number, comprising the steps of:

decoding an operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is operator assisted;

if the call is not operator assisted, completing the call normally as a non-collect-call to its telephone number;

if the call is operator assisted, determining if a telephone number to which the call is directed is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

if the call is to a telephone number that is not in the non-billable for collect calls database, completing the call normally to its telephone number; and

if the call is to a telephone number that is in the non-billable for collect calls database routing the call to an audible message that the call will not be billed to the telephone number to which it is directed.

14. A method of preventing foreign incollect calls from being billed to a domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone number, comprising the steps of:

decoding an operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is operator assisted;

if the call is not operator assisted, completing the call normally as a non-collect-call to its telephone number;

if the call is operator assisted, determining if a telephone number to which the call is directed is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

if the call is to a telephone number that is not in the non-billable for collect calls database, completing the call normally to its telephone number; and

if the call is to a telephone number that is in the non-billable for collect calls database routing the call to a domestic operator to determine if the call is a collect call, and if it is, arrange alternate billing for the call.

15. A method of preventing foreign incollect calls from being billed to a domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone numbers, comprising the steps of:

decoding a foreign operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is operator assisted;

if the call is not operator assisted, completing the call normally as a non-collect-call to its telephone number;

if the call is operator assisted, switching the call to an operator services position system over a dedicated trunk;

determining by said operator services position system if a telephone number to which the call is made is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

if the call is to a telephone number that is not in the non-billable for collect calls database, switching the call to a telephone company providing local service to the telephone number to which the call is directed for normal completion to its telephone number; and

if the call is to a telephone number that is in the non-billable for collect calls database, routing the call to a domestic operator station for alternative billing arrangements and switching the call to said telephone company providing local service to the telephone number to which the call is directed for normal completion to the telephone number.

16. A method of preventing foreign incollect calls from being billed to a domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone number, comprising the steps of:

decoding a foreign operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is a foreign incollect call;

if the call is not a foreign incollect call processing the call normally to its telephone number;

if the call is a foreign incollect call, switching the call to an operator services position system over a dedicated trunk;

determining by said operator services position system if a telephone number to which the call is made is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

if the call is to a telephone number that is not in the non-billable for collect calls database, switching the call to a telephone company providing local service to the telephone number to which the call is directed for normal completion to its telephone number; and

if the call is to a telephone number that is in the non-billable for collect calls database routing the call to a domestic operator station for alternative billing arrangements and switching the call to said telephone company providing local service for normal completion to the telephone number.

17. A method of preventing foreign incollect calls from being billed to a domestic no-collect call telephone, comprising the steps of:

decoding a foreign operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is a foreign incollect call;

if the call is not a foreign incollect call processing the call normally to the telephone number;

if the call is a foreign incollect call, switching the call to an operator services position system over a dedicated trunk;

determining by said operator services position system if a telephone number to which the call is made is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

if the call is to a telephone number that is not in the non-billable for collect calls database, switching the call to a telephone company providing local service to the telephone number to which the call is directed for normal completion to its telephone number; and

if the call is to a telephone number that is in the non-billable for collect calls database, routing the call to an audible message that billing for a collect call is denied and switching the call to a switch of said telephone company providing local service.

18. A method of identifying foreign incollect calls from being billed to a domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone number, comprising the steps of:

decoding a foreign operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is operator assisted;

if the call is not operator assisted, completing the call normally as a non-collect-call to its telephone number;

if the call is operator assisted, adding a special access code to the call at the international gateway switch and switching the call to a regional long distance switch;

stripping the special access code from each call having such a code and switching each such call to an operator services position system over a dedicated trunk;

determining by said operator services position system if a telephone number to which the call is directed is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

if the call is to a telephone number that is not in the non-billable for collect calls database, switching the call to a telephone company providing local service to the telephone number to which the call is directed for normal completion to the telephone number to which it is directed;

if the call is to a telephone number that is in the non-billable for collect calls database routing the call to an audible message to the foreign operator that the call is non-billable as a collect call;

generating a record that this operator assisted call is non-billable as a collect call and

switching the call to said telephone company providing local service for completion.

19. A method of identifying foreign incollect calls from being billed to a domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone number, comprising the steps of:

decoding a foreign operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is operator assisted;

if the call is not operator assisted, completing the call normally as a non-collect-call to its telephone number;

if the call is operator assisted, adding a special access code to the call at the international gateway switch and switching the call to a regional long distance switch;

stripping the special access code from each call having such a code and switching each such call to an operator services position system over a dedicated trunk;

determining by said operator services position system if a telephone number to which the call is directed is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

if the call is to a telephone number that is not in the non-billable for collect calls database, switching the call to a telephone company providing local service to the telephone number to which the call is directed for normal completion to its telephone number;

if the call is to a telephone number that is in the non-billable for collect calls database routing the call to an audible message to the foreign operator that the call is non-billable as a collect call;

switching the call to a domestic operator to determine if the call is a collect call or some other type of operator assisted call;

if the call is some other type of operator assisted call, completing the call to said telephone company providing local service; and

if the call is a collect call, arranging for alternative billing of the collect call and switching the call to said telephone company providing local service for normal completion to its telephone number after such alternative billing is arranged, otherwise stopping the call.

20. A method of preventing foreign incollect calls from being billed to a domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone number, comprising the steps of:

decoding a foreign operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is operator assisted;

if the call is not operator assisted, completing the call normally as a non-collect-call to its telephone number;

if the call is operator assisted, switching the call to an operator services position system over a dedicated trunk;

determining by said operator services position system if a telephone number to which the call is directed is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

if the call is to a telephone number that is not in the non-billable for collect calls database, switching the call to a telephone company providing local service for normal completion to the telephone number to which it is directed;

if the call is to a telephone number that is in the non-billable for collect calls database routing the call to an audible message to the foreign operator that the call is non-billable as a collect call;

generating a record that this operator assisted call is non-billable as a collect call; and

switching the call to said telephone company providing local service for completion.

21. A method of preventing foreign incollect calls from being billed to a domestic non-billable for collect calls telephone number, comprising the steps of:

decoding a foreign operator language digit on an incoming call to determine if the call is operator assisted;

if the call is not operator assisted, completing the call normally as a non-collect-call to its telephone number;

if the call is operator assisted, switching each such call to an operator services position system over a dedicated trunk;

determining by said operator services position system if a telephone number to which the call is directed is in a non-billable for collect calls database;

if the call is to a telephone number that is not in the non-billable for collect calls database, switching the call to a telephone company providing local service to the telephone number to which the foreign incollect call is directed for normal completion to its telephone number;

if the call is to a telephone number that is in the non-billable for collect calls database routing the call to an audible message to the foreign operator that the call is non-billable as a collect call;

switching the call to a domestic operator to determine if the call is a collect call or some other type of operator assisted call;

if the call is some other type of operator assisted call, completing the call to said telephone company providing local service; and

if the call is a collect call, arranging for alternative billing of the collect call and switching the call to said telephone company providing local service for normal completion to its telephone number after such alternative billing is arranged, otherwise stopping the call.