Applications platform for a telephone system gateway interface

• US 5,483,582 A
• Filed: 09/28/1992
• Issued: 01/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Messager Partners
• Original Assignee: Messager Partners
• Inventors: Piercy, Kenneth J., Pugh, Joel A., Neel, Douglas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US07/952,925
• Time in Patent Office: 1,198 Days
• Field of Search: 379/112, 379/114, 379/143, 379/144, 379/207, 379/209, 379/213, 379/214, 379/220, 379/155, 379/223
• US Class Current: 379/144.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/02 Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/48 Arrangements for recalling a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13541 routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A system is disclosed for providing enhanced call service and call routing functions from a centralized location on a telephone network line through gateway connections to service providers. A multiple function interface located between a paystation and an originating central office includes a monitoring circuit for monitoring call signals from the paystation, circuits for obtaining coin or card billing information from the paystation and a control circuit for verifying the payment information and selectively directing the call to a service provider to bypass the originating central office. The interface uses an applications platform to communicate with the network and data bases. The platform assists in operations, maintains files and records, and functions as a communications protocol converter for the interface. The platform enables calling customer service preferences to be acertained automatically during call set-up upon receipt of billing information.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connection between more than one card readers and an application platform for providing data connections between said more than one card readers and said application platform, the apparatus comprising:

an interface connected to individual communication lines, said individual communication lines connected to each of the said more than one card readers;

said interface further connectable to a first communications link, said first communications link connectable to an application platform, the interface further comprising;

a communication circuit connectable to each of said individual communication lines for transmitting and receiving data to or from said more than one card readers on said individual communication lines; and

a multiplexer connectable to said first communications link for multiplexing said data of said more than one card readers to or from said application platform on said first communications link.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said communications link is a dedicated data link.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said communications link is provided by a high-speed modem on a voice-grade telecommunications line.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said more than one card readers will read a multiplicity of credit or debit card types.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

determining means for determining the specific type of bank, debit or commercial credit card used in said more than one card readers, and

a second communications link for connecting said application platform to a billing validation system associated with the determined card type.

6. Apparatus for connection between a calling station and an originating central office switch in a telecommunication circuit for selectively directing calls to at least one preferred service provider, the apparatus comprising:

means connected to said telecommunication circuit for monitoring said telecommunication circuit for signals from said calling station;

means responsive to receipt of said signals for obtaining payment information from said calling station;

means for determining the preferred service provider from said payment information;

means for verifying said payment information and selectively directing one of said calls to said at least one preferred service provider to bypass said originating central office "0" call functions.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said determination of the preferred service provider is made based upon the numbering format of said payment information.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said determination of the preferred service provider is made based upon information received from a remote data base connected to said telecommunication circuit.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said remote database is a line information data base.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said preferred service provider is an interexchange carrier for the provision of long distance call services.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said preferred service provider is an enhanced call service provider.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

means for providing enhanced call services to said calling station.

13. Apparatus for connection between a calling station and an originating central office switch in a telecommunication circuit including at least one database for storing service provider preference information, the apparatus for selectively directing calls to at least one preferred service provider, the apparatus comprising:

an interface circuit including means connected to said telecommunication circuit for monitoring said telecommunication circuit for signals from said calling station;

means responsive to receipt of said signals for obtaining payment information from said calling station;

means for determining the preferred service provider from said payment information; and

means for verifying said payment information and selectively directing one of said calls to said at least one preferred service provider; and

an applications platform circuit connected to said interface circuit for communicating with said at least one data base and sending said payment information to said data base and for receiving from said data base validation of billing information, said billing information further including the identity of said preferred service provider.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said database is a remote data base.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said remote database is a line information data base.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said database is connected in proximity to said applications platform circuit.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said preferred service provider is the local exchange carrier for the calling party.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said preferred service provider is an enhanced call service provider.

19. A method for intercepting call signals transmitted between a calling station and an originating central office switch in a telecommunication circuit for selectively directing calls to at least one preferred service provider, the method comprising:

monitoring said telecommunication circuit for signals from said calling station;

obtaining payment information from said calling station;

determining the preferred service provider from said payment information;

verifying said payment information; and

selectively directing one of said calls to said at least one preferred service provider to bypass said originating central office "0" call functions.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said determination of the preferred service provider is made based upon the numbering format of said payment information.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein said determination of the preferred service provider is made based upon information received from a remote data base connected to said telecommunication circuit.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said remote database is a line information data base.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein said preferred service provider is an interexchange carrier for the provision of long distance call services.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein said preferred service provider is an enhanced call service provider.

25. A method for selectively directing calls to at least one preferred service provider by intercepting call signals transmitted between a calling station and an originating central office switch in a telecommunication circuit, the circuit including at least one database for storing service provider preference information, the method comprising:

monitoring said telecommunication circuit for signals from said calling station;

obtaining payment information from said calling station responsive to receipt of said signals

determining the preferred service provider from said payment information;

verifying said payment information by sending said payment information to said data base and receiving from said data base validation of billing information, said billing information further including the identity of said at least one preferred service provider; and

selectively directing one of said calls to said at least one preferred service provider.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said database is a remote data base.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said remote database is a line information data base.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein said database is connected in proximity to said applications platform circuit.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein said preferred service provider is the local exchange carrier for the calling party.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein said preferred service provider is an enhanced call service provider.

31. Apparatus for connection between at least one calling station and an originating central office switch in a telecommunication circuit, the apparatus for providing data communications with an applications platform, the apparatus comprising;

an interface circuit including means connected to said telecommunication circuit for monitoring said telecommunication circuit for signals from any of said at least one calling station;

means responsive to receipt of said signals for communicating said signals with said applications platform;

a communication circuit for transferring communications between said interface circuit and said applications platform wherein said applications platform monitors or controls the operation of said interface circuit.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said communication circuit is provided by a direct connection of a digital data link.

33. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said communication circuit is provided by a high-speed modem on a standard voice-grade telephone line.

34. The apparatus of claim 31 further providing additional data communications between said interface circuit and said calling station.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising a modem in said telecommunication circuit wherein said additional data communications are provided over the voice signals.