Method and apparatus for facilitating communication across multiple locations

• US 5,974,133 A
• Filed: 04/30/1996
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Southwestern Bell Technology Resources, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fleischer, Harold C. III, Boeckman, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US08/640,140
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 379/207, 379/210, 379/211, 379/212, 379/215, 379/216, 379/219, 379/220, 379/222, 379/224, 379/229, 379/230, 379/196, 379/197, 379/198, 379/231, 379/232, 379/233, 379/234 , 379/901, 370/410
• US Class Current: 379/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/901 Virtual networks or virtual private networks

Abstract

The multiple location, communications network is provided as an overlay application to, for example, one or more private networks. The network adds increased flexibility to an existing private network system by adding additional features, e.g., abbreviated dialing plans, function number dialing, automatic selection of routing, centralized access to private and public network facilities, outgoing call screening, and work-at-home functionality, that may not be currently available to the private network subscriber. Further, the network overlay application of the present invention is adapted to maintain and not disturb the subscriber'"'"'s current service or the existing private network.

Claims

1. A multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the multiple location communications network comprising:

means for receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit, the one network service switching point comprising means for identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

means for accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified by the identifying means, the accessing means comprising means for forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

means for identifying, at the service control point, the terminating station based on the query message and the at least one dialed digit;

means for forwarding, from the service control point to the one network service switching point, a query response comprising routing information including a routing path between the originating station and the terminating station; and

means for establishing the communication connection between the originating station and the terminating station based on the query response and the at least one dialed digit;

wherein when the originating station is a non-network location, the call request includes a designated number to append the non-network location to the private network, the designated number being entered prior to entry of the at least one dialed digit;

wherein the service control point comprises means for verifying that the one non-network location is authorized to be appended to the private network such that when the verifying means determines that the one non-network location is authorized to be appended to the network, the one non-network location becomes an appended location of the private network.

2. The multiple location communication network according to claim 1, said verifying means comprising a look up table including home telephone numbers of authorized users and work telephone numbers of said authorized users,

wherein when a calling phone number associated with said originating station is found in said look up table, said authorization is verified.

3. The multiple location communication network according to claim 2, said service control point further comprising means for selectively forwarding a call offered to a work telephone number of one of said authorized users to a home telephone number associated with said work telephone number in said look up table.

4. The multiple location communication network according to claim 2, comprising means for accepting said at least one dialed digit entered from one of said home telephone numbers listed in said look up table;

and

means for blocking said at least one dialed digit entered from one of said work telephone numbers listed in said look up table.

5. The multiple location communication network according to claim 2, comprising means for enabling call forwarding to a home telephone number of said authorized user;

means for collecting an enable request from said authorized user entered from a station associated with said authorized user'"'"'s home telephone number; and

means for blocking said enable request from said authorized user entered from a station associated with said authorized user'"'"'s work telephone number.

6. The multiple location communication network according to claim 2, comprising means for disabling call forwarding to a home telephone number of said authorized user;

means for collecting a disable request from said authorized user entered from a station associated with one of said authorized user'"'"'s work telephone number and said authorized user'"'"'s home telephone number.

7. A multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the multiple location communications network comprising;

means for receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit, the one network service switching point comprising means for identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

means for accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified by the identifying means, the accessing means comprising means for forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

wherein when the originating station is an originating network location, the originating station is adapted to directly access specific dialing plans associated with a central access service switching point;

the call request including an access number associated with the central access service switching point to connect the originating network location to the central access service switching point.

8. The multiple location communication network according to claim 7, said service control point comprising means for determining whether said central access service switching point is a local network service switching point or a non-local network service switching point with respect to said originating station.

9. The multiple location communication network according to claim 8, when said central access service switching point comprises a non-local network service switching point, said service control point comprising means for translating said access number into a terminating number associated with said non-local network service switching point and means for instructing a local network service switching point to forward said call request to said non-local network service switching point.

10. The multiple location communication network according to claim 9, said service control point further comprising means for instructing said non-local network service switching point to play a second dial tone to said originating station.

11. The multiple location communication network according to claim 7, when said central access service switching point comprises a local network service switching point, said service control point further comprising means for blocking call processing.

12. A multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the multiple location communications network comprising:

means for receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit, the one network service switching point comprising means for identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

means for accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified by the identifying means, the accessing means comprising means for forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

means for identifying, at the service control point, the terminating station based on the query message and the at least one dialed digit;

means for forwarding, from the service control point to the one network service switching point, a query response comprising routing information including a routing path between the originating station and the terminating station; and

means for establishing the communication connection between the originating station and the terminating station based on the query response and the at least one dialed digit;

wherein when the originating station is an originating network location, the originating station is adapted to directly access private facilities directly coupled to a central access point including one of a local network service switching point and a non-local network service switching point;

the call request including an access number associated with the central access point to connect the originating network location to the central access point.

13. The multiple location communication network according to claim 12, said service control means comprising means for translating said access number into a terminating number associated with said central access service switching point.

14. The multiple location communication network according to claim 13, said service control point further comprising means for determining whether said central access service switching point is a local network service switching point or a non-local network service switching point with respect to said originating station.

15. The multiple location communication network according to claim 14, when said central access service switching point comprises a local network service switching point, said service control point comprising means for instructing said central access service switching point to play a second dial tone.

16. The multiple location communication network according to claim 14, when said central access service switching point comprises a non-local network service switching point, said service control point comprising means for translating said access number into a terminating number associated with said central access service switching point and means for forwarding said call request to said central access service switching point.

17. The multiple location communication network according to claim 16, said service control point further comprising means for instructing said central access service switching point to play a second dial tone to said originating station.

18. A multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the multiple location communications network comprising:

means for receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit, the one network service switching point comprising means for identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

means for accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified by the identifying means, the accessing means comprising means for forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

means for identifying, at the service control point, the terminating station based on the query message and the at least one dialed digit;

means for forwarding, from the service control point to the one network service switching point, a query response comprising routing information including a routing path between the originating station and the terminating station; and

means for establishing the communication connection between the originating station and the terminating station based on the query response and the at least one dialed digit;

the originating station entering an access number to indicate that the terminating station location comprises a terminating non-network location;

the means for selectively establishing a routing path comprising means for determining the originating station location, means for determining the termination station location, and means for ascertaining a desired routing scheme for establishing the service connection.

19. The multiple location communication network according to claim 18, said service control point comprising means for instructing said one service switching point to play a second dial tone to said originating station,

wherein said originating station enters a terminating number in response to said second dial tone.

20. The multiple location communication network according to claim 18, said means for ascertaining a desired routing scheme for establishing said service connection comprising a look up table including a listing of each originating network location, a listing of terminating locations.

21. The multiple location communication network according to claim 20, wherein said listing of terminating locations are arranged as a listing of selected NPA-NXXs, a listing of selected NPAs, and a default listing.

22. The multiple location communication network according to claim 21, said service control point further comprising means for determining said termination station location including means for translating said at least one dialed digit into a terminating station NPA-NXX, and

wherein said means for determining said originating station location includes translating a calling telephone number into said originating station location.

23. The multiple location communication network according to claim 22, said means for ascertaining comprising means for correlating said originating station location with said terminating station NPA-NXX in said look up table and means for selecting a predefined routing scheme from a subscriber prioritized facility arrangement list,

wherein when said terminating station NPA-NXX is not listed, said means for ascertaining comprising means for correlating said originating station location with said terminating station NPA in said look up table and means for selecting said predefined routing scheme from said subscriber prioritized facility arrangement list, and

wherein when said terminating station NPA is not listed, said means for ascertaining comprising means for correlating said originating station location with said terminating station default listing in said look up table and means for selecting said predefined routing scheme from said subscriber prioritized facility arrangement list.

24. The multiple location communication network according to claim 20, wherein said listing of terminating locations are arranged as a listing of intra-LATA, a listing of inter-LATA, and international.

25. The multiple location communication network according to claim 24, said service control point further comprising means for determining said termination station location including means for translating said at least one dialed digit into an indication of a termination type including one of international, inter-LATA, and intra-LATA, and

wherein said means for determining said originating station location includes means for translating a calling telephone number into said originating station location.

26. The multiple location communication network according to claim 25, said means for ascertaining comprising means correlating said originating station location with said termination type in said look up table and means for selecting a predefined routing scheme from a subscriber prioritized facility arrangement list.

27. A multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the multiple location communications network comprising:

means for receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit, the one network service switching point comprising means for identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

means for accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified by the identifying means, the accessing means comprising means for forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

means for identifying, at the service control point, the terminating station based on the query message and the at least one dialed digit;

means for forwarding, from the service control point to the one network service switching point, a query response comprising routing information including a routing path between the originating station and the terminating station; and

means for establishing the communication connection between the originating station and the terminating station based on the query response and the at least one dialed digit, the at least one dialed digit comprises an access number to enable function dialing, the function dialing comprising a function dialing number in which alphabetic representations of dialed numbers are dialed at the originating station to form a word associated with a functional aspect of a terminating station party.

28. The multiple location communication network according to claim 27, said word comprising an appended location code and said service control point further comprising means for discerning said word from said location code to instruct said one service control point to terminate said function dialing number to said terminating station party at said appended location.

29. The multiple location communication network according to claim 27, comprising means for selectively routing said function dialing number to said terminating party according to predefined routing schemes.

30. The multiple location communication network according to claim 29, said means for selectively routing comprising means for determining whether a routing scheme is defined between said originating station and said terminating station,

said determining means including means for accessing a first look up table for on network routing schemes, and, if no routing schemes are found for a pair of said originating station and terminating station, said determining means further comprising means for accessing a second look up table for off network routing schemes;

and

means for routing said call request according to said determining means.

31. A multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the multiple location communications network comprising:

means for receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit, the one network service switching point comprising means for identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

means for accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified by the identifying means, the accessing means comprising means for forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

means for identifying, at the service control point, the terminating station based on the query message and the at least one dialed digit;

means for forwarding, from the service control point to the one network service switching point, a query response comprising routing information including a routing path between the originating station and the terminating station;

means for establishing the communication connection between the originating station and the terminating station based on the query response and the at least one dialed digit; and

an outgoing call screening feature, the outgoing call screening feature actuated after the service control point identifies the terminating station and before forwarding the query response, the outgoing call screening feature comprising means for determining a call type and means for ascertaining whether the determined call type is within a privilege class associated with the originating station, the call type comprising a member of the group consisting of on-network intra-LATA private facilities;

on-network intra-LATA private/public facilities;

on-network inter-LATA private facilities;

on-network inter-LATA private/public facilities;

off-network intra-LATA private facilities;

off-network intra-LATA private/public facilities;

off-network inter-LATA private facilities;

off-network inter-LATA private/public facilities;

off-network international private facilities;

off-network international private/public facilities;

off-network (NANP) intra-LATA private facilities with 900-, 976-, and 555 service blocking;

off-network (NANP) inter-LATA private facilities with 900-, 976-, and 555 service blocking;

off-network (NANP) intra-LATA private/public facilities with 900-, 976-, and 555 service blocking; and

off-network (NANP) inter-LATA private/public facilities with 900-, 976-, and 555 service blocking; and

the privilege class, assigned to a network station, comprising a listing of each call type that a station may offer for termination.

32. The multiple location communication network according to claim 31, wherein when said determined call type is not within said privilege class associated with said origination station, said service control means further comprising blocking means for blocking said call from termination.

33. The multiple location communication network according to claim 31, wherein when said determined call type is not within said privilege class associated with said origination station, said service control point further comprising means for receiving an authorization code associated with the originating party,

said service control point further comprising means for validating said authorization code to determine whether said determined call type is within the privilege class of the entered authorization codes.

34. A method for call processing in a multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the method comprising:

receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit, the one network service switching point comprising identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified the accessing step comprising forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

identifying, at the service control point, the terminating station based on the query message and the at least one dialed digit;

forwarding from the service control point to the one network service switching point, a query response comprising routing information including a routing path between the originating station and the terminating station;

establishing the communication connection between the originating station and the terminating station based on the query response and the at least one dialed digit; and

verifying within the private network that the one non-network location is authorized to be appended to the private network such that when the verifying determines that the one non-network location is authorized to be appended to the network, the one non-network location becomes an appended location of the private network;

wherein, when the originating station is a non-network location, the call request includes a designated number to append the non-network location to the private network, the designated number being entered prior to entry of the at least one dialed digit.

35. The method according to claim 34, said verifying step comprising a look up table including home telephone numbers of authorized users and work telephone numbers of said authorized users,

wherein when a calling phone number associated with said originating station is found in said look up table, said authorization is verified.

36. The method according to claim 35, said method further comprising selectively forwarding a call offered to a work telephone number of one of said authorized users to a home telephone number associated with said work telephone number in said look up table.

37. The method according to claim 35, comprising accepting said at least one dialed digit entered from one of said home telephone numbers listed in said look up table;

and

blocking said at least one dialed digit entered from one of said work telephone numbers listed in said look up table.

38. The method according to claim 35, comprising enabling call forwarding to a home telephone number of said authorized user;

collecting an enable request from said authorized user entered from a station associated with said authorized user'"'"'s home telephone number; and

blocking said enable request from said authorized user entered from a station associated with said authorized user'"'"'s work telephone number.

39. The method according to claim 35, comprising disabling call forwarding to a home telephone number of said authorized user;

collecting a disable request from said authorized user entered from a station associated with one of said authorized user'"'"'s work telephone number and said authorized user'"'"'s home telephone number.

40. A method for call processing in a multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the method comprising:

receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit and an access number associated with the central access service switching point to connect the originating network location to the central access service switching point, the one network service switching point comprising identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified the accessing step comprising forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

identifying, at the service control point, the terminating station based on the query message and the at least one dialed digit;

forwarding from the service control point to the one network service switching point, a query response comprising routing information including a routing path between the originating station and the terminating station; and

establishing the communication connection between the originating station and the terminating station based on the query response and the at least one dialed digit;

wherein when the originating station is an originating network location, adapting the originating station to directly access specific network dialing plans associated with a central access service switching point.

41. The method according to claim 40, said method further comprising determining whether said central access service switching point is a local network service switching point or a non-local network service switching point with respect to said originating station.

42. The method according to claim 41, when said central access service switching point comprises a non-local network service switching point, said method comprising translating said access number into a terminating number associated with said non-local network service switching point and instructing a local network service switching point to forward said call request to said non-local network service switching point.

43. The method according to claim 42, said method further comprising instructing said non-local network service switching point to play a second dial tone to said originating station.

44. The method according to claim 40, when said central access service switching point comprises a local network service switching point, said method further comprising blocking call processing.

45. A method for call processing in a multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the method comprising:

receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit, the one network service switching point comprising identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified the accessing step comprising forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

identifying, at the service control point, the terminating station based on the query message and the at least one dialed digit;

forwarding from the service control point to the one network service switching point, a query response comprising routing information including a routing path between the originating station and the terminating station; and

establishing the communication connection between the originating station and the terminating station based on the query response and the at least one dialed digit;

wherein when the originating station is an originating network location, adapting the originating station to directly access private facilities directly coupled to a central access point including one of a local network service switching point and a non-local network service switching point;

the call request including an access number associated with the central access point to connect the originating network location to the central access point.

46. The method according to claim 45, said method comprising translating said access number into a terminating number associated with said central access service switching point.

47. The method according to claim 46, said method further comprising determining whether said central access service switching point is a local network service switching point or a non-local network service switching point with respect to said originating station.

48. The method according to claim 47, when said central access service switching point comprises a local network service switching point, said method comprising instructing said central access service switching point to play a second dial tone.

49. The method according to claim 47, when said central access service switching point comprises a non-local network service switching point, said method comprising translating said access number into a terminating number associated with said central access service switching point and forwarding said call request to said central access service switching point.

50. The method according to claim 49, said method further comprising instructing said central access service switching point to play a second dial tone to said originating station.

51. A method for call processing in a multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the method comprising:

receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit, the one network service switching point comprising identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified the accessing step comprising forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

identifying, at the service control point, the terminating station based on the query message and the at least one dialed digit;

selectively establishing a routing path comprising determining the originating station location, determining the termination station location, and ascertaining a desired routing scheme for establishing the service connection;

forwarding from the service control point to the one network service switching point, a query response comprising the routing path between the originating station and the terminating station; and

establishing the communication connection between the originating station and the terminating station based on the query response and the at least one dialed digit;

the originating station entering an access number to indicate that the terminating station location comprises a terminating non-network location.

52. The method according to claim 51, said method comprising instructing said one service switching point to play a second dial tone to said originating station,

said originating station entering a terminating number in response to said second dial tone.

53. The method according to claim 52, said step for ascertaining a desired routing scheme for establishing said service connection comprising a look up table including a listing of each originating network location and a listing of terminating locations.

54. The method according to claim 53, arranging said listing of terminating locations as a listing of selected NPA-NXXs, a listing of selected NPAs, and a default listing.

55. The method according to claim 54, said method further comprising determining said termination station location including translating said at least one dialed digit into a terminating station NPA-NXX, and

said step for determining said originating station location includes translating a calling telephone number into said originating station location.

56. The method according to claim 55, said step for ascertaining comprising correlating said originating station location with said terminating station NPA-NXX in said look up table and selecting a predefined routing scheme from a subscriber prioritized facility arrangement list,

wherein when said terminating station NPA-NXX is not listed, said step for ascertaining comprising correlating said originating station location with said terminating station NPA in said look up table and selecting said predefined routing scheme from said subscriber prioritized facility arrangement list, and

wherein when said terminating station NPA is not listed, said step for ascertaining comprising correlating said originating station location with said terminating station default listing in said look up table and selecting said predefined routing scheme from said subscriber prioritized facility arrangement list.

57. The method according to claim 53, arranging said listing of terminating locations as a listing of intra-LATA, a listing of inter-LATA, and international.

58. The method according to claim 57, said method further comprising determining said termination station location including translating said at least one dialed digit into an indication of a termination type including one of international, inter-LATA, and intra-LATA, and

wherein said step for determining said originating station location includes translating a calling telephone number into said originating station location.

59. The method according to claim 58, said step for ascertaining comprising correlating said originating station location with said termination type in said look up table and selecting a predefined routing scheme from a subscriber prioritized facility arrangement list.

60. A method for call processing in a multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the method comprising:

receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit, the one network service switching point comprising identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified the accessing step comprising forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

identifying, at the service control point, the terminating station based on the query message and the at least one dialed digit;

forwarding from the service control point to the one network service switching point, a query response comprising routing information including a routing path between the originating station and the terminating station; and

establishing the communication connection between the originating station and the terminating station based on the query response and the at least one dialed digit;

wherein the at least one dialed digit comprises an access number to enable function dialing, the function dialing comprising entering a function dialing number in which alphabetic representations of dialed numbers at the originating station form a word associated with a functional aspect of a terminating station party.

61. The method according to claim 60, appending a location code to said word and said method further comprising discerning said word from said location code instructing said one service control point to terminate said function dialing number to said terminating station party at said appended location.

62. The method according to claim 60, comprising selectively routing said function dialing number to said terminating party according to predefined routing schemes.

63. The method according to claim 62, said step for selectively routing comprising determining whether a routing scheme is defined between said originating station and said terminating station,

said determining step including accessing a first look up table for on network routing schemes, and, if no routing schemes are found for a pair of said originating station and terminating station, said determining step further comprising accessing a second look up table for off network routing schemes;

and

routing said call request according to said determining means.

64. A method for call processing in a multiple location communications network associated with a private network in an advanced intelligent communications system, the advanced intelligent communications system comprising a service control point, a two-way communications network interconnecting a plurality of network service switching points and a plurality of non-network service switching points, and selectively establishing communication between at least two of a plurality of geographically dispersed locations coupled to the network and non-network service switching points, the at least two locations including an originating station and a terminating station, the method comprising:

receiving, at one of the plurality of network service switching points, a call request from the originating station to establish a communication connection with the terminating station, the call request including at least one dialed digit, the one network service switching point comprising identifying a service control point request based upon the at least one dialed digit;

accessing the service control point in response to the service control point request identified the accessing step comprising forwarding a query message from the one network service switching point to the service control point, the query message including the at least one dialed digit;

identifying, at the service control point, the terminating station based on the query message and the at least one dialed digit;

screening an outgoing call to determine a call type and to ascertain whether the determined call type is within a privilege class associated with the originating station;

assigning the privilege class to a network station, the privilege class listing each call type that a station may offer for termination;

forwarding from the service control point to the one network service switching point, a query response comprising routing information including a routing path between the originating station and the terminating station; and

establishing the communication connection between the originating station and the terminating station based on the query response and the at least one dialed digit;

the call type comprising a member of the group consisting of on-network intra-LATA private facilities;

on-network intro-LATA private/public facilities;

on-network inter-LATA private facilities;

on-network inter-LATA private/public facilities;

off-network intra-LATA private facilities;

off-network intra-LATA private/public facilities;

off-network inter-LATA private facilities;

off-network inter-LATA private/public facilities;

off-network international private facilities;

off-network international private/public facilities;

off-network (NANP) intra-LATA private facilities with 900-, 976-, and 555 service blocking;

off-network (NANP) inter-LATA private facilities with 900-, 976-, and 555 service blocking;

off-network (NANP) intra-LATA private/public facilities with 900-, 976-, and 555 service blocking; and

off-network (NANP) inter-LATA private/public facilities with 900-, 976-, and 555 service blocking.

65. The method according to claim 64, wherein when said determined call type is not within said privilege class associated with said origination station, said method further comprising blocking said call from termination.

66. The method according to claim 64, wherein when said determined call type is not within said privilege class associated with said origination station, said method further comprising receiving an authorization code associated with the originating party, and

validating said authorization code to determine whether said determined call type is within the privilege class of the entered authorization codes.