Methods and systems for automated prepaid service routing
First Claim
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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 subscriber data, comprising a calling number and routing instructions, from a database server;
establishing a first communications circuit from said subscriber terminal to an intermediate computer system;
establishing a second communications circuit from the intermediate computer system to the prepaid platform;
bridging the first and second circuits at the intermediate computer system; and
joining the first and second circuits at a signal communications switch.
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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.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for automatically routing a long distance call from a subscriber terminal to a prepaid platform comprising:
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receiving a dial string from the subscriber terminal, wherein the dial string consists of a long distance number; receiving subscriber data, comprising a calling number and routing instructions, from a database server; establishing a first communications circuit from said subscriber terminal to an intermediate computer system; establishing a second communications circuit from the intermediate computer system to the prepaid platform; bridging the first and second circuits at the intermediate computer system; and joining the first and second circuits at a signal communications switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for automatically routing a long distance call from a subscriber terminal to a prepaid platform comprising:
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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; an intermediate computer system, wherein the intermediate computer system is connected to the signal communications network and a data 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 prepaid platform is connected to the signal communications network, the signal control network, and the data 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 to the prepaid platform in accordance with the routing instructions, and the calling number and the long distance number are forwarded from the intermediate computer system to the prepaid platform. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification