US5859900A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal call access with reverse billing
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1997-08-19
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Granted: 1999-01-12
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Expires: 2017-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A method for billing a telephone call to a called party for a telephone call between a calling party and the called party, comprising the steps of receiving a predetermined access number; prompting for a destination number, determining if the destination number will accept the cost of the telephone call; and completing the telephone call to the destination number. The method may find potential application in a situation where, for example, a child may need to call home from a public telephone, say at a movie theatre or a mall, without using a calling card, credit card, collect charging, an operator, or coins.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Michael Bauer
- 👤 Christopher P. Gilboy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/08; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for billing a telephone call to a destination number of a called party for a telephone call between a calling party and the called party, comprising the steps of: receiving a call dialed by the calling party to a predetermined access number; prompting the calling party for a destination number; determining if the destination number dialed by the calling party is authorized to automatically accept the cost of the telephone call dialed by the calling party, and if so; completing the telephone call to the destination number; and automatically billing the cost of the call to the destination number.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for billing a telephone call to a destination number of a called party for a telephone call between a calling party and the called party, comprising the steps of: receiving a call dialed by the calling party to a predetermined access number; prompting the calling party for a destination number; determining if the destination number dialed by the calling party is authorized to automatically accept the cost of the telephone call dialed by the calling party, and if so; completing the telephone call to the destination number; and automatically billing the cost of the call to the destination number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined access number is a toll free number.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step further comprising the step of checking the validity of the destination number, the ANI of the calling party, and the device used by the calling party.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step further comprising the step of checking the destination number to see if a CIV is required.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the CIV requirement is dependent on the location of the calling party.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the location includes a specific area code, city, state, or international location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the CIV requirement is dependent on the type of originating device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the originating device includes a pay phone, residential line, business line, facsimile machine, or modem.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of prompting for the CIV if the CIV is required.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of validating the CIV.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the telephone call is terminated if the CIV is not valid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step further comprising the step of checking the destination number to see if a voice verification of the calling party is required.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of prompting for a voice message if the voice verification of the calling party is required.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of validating the voice message.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the telephone call is terminated if the voice message is not valid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of routing the telephone call to the destination number.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of answering the telephone call.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of accepting the telephone call by staying on the line.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of rejecting the telephone call by hanging up.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for billing a telephone call to a destination number of a called party for a telephone call between a calling party and the called party, comprising: means for receiving a call dialed by the calling party to a predetermined access number; means for prompting the calling party for a destination number; means for determining if the destination number is authorized to automatically accept the cost of the telephone call dialed by the calling party to the destination number; means for completing the telephone call to the destination number when the destination number is authorized to automatically accept the cost of the telephone call dialed by the calling party and; means for automatically billing the call charges to the destination number.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for billing a telephone call to a destination number of a called party for a telephone call between a calling party and the called party, comprising: means for receiving a call dialed by the calling party to a predetermined access number; means for prompting the calling party for a destination number; means for determining if the destination number is authorized to automatically accept the cost of the telephone call dialed by the calling party to the destination number; means for completing the telephone call to the destination number when the destination number is authorized to automatically accept the cost of the telephone call dialed by the calling party and; means for automatically billing the call charges to the destination number.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the predetermined access number is a toll free number.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the determining means further comprising means for checking the validity of the destination number, the ANI of the calling party, and the device used by the calling party.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the determining means further comprising means for checking the destination number to see if a CIV is required.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the CIV requirement is dependent on the location of the calling party.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the location includes a specific area code, city, state, or international location.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the CIV requirement is dependent on the type of originating device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the originating device includes a pay phone, residential line, business line, facsimile machine, or modem.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising means for prompting for the CIV if the CIV is required.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising means for validating the CIV.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the telephone call is terminated if the CIV is not valid.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the determining means further comprising means for checking the destination number to see if a voice verification of the calling party is required.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising means for prompting for a voice message if the voice verification of the calling party is required.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising means for validating the voice message.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the telephone call is terminated if the voice message is not valid.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising means for routing the telephone call to the destination number.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
109 words
A telephone system for billing a telephone call to a destination number of a called party for a telephone call between a calling party and a called party, comprising: an originating switch for receiving a call dialed by the calling party to a predetermined access number from the calling party; a processor for prompting the calling party for a destination number and for determining if the destination number is automatically authorized to accept the cost of the telephone call dialed by the calling party; and a terminating switch for completing the telephone call to the destination number; and automatically billing the cost of the call to the destination number.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
109 words
A telephone system for billing a telephone call to a destination number of a called party for a telephone call between a calling party and a called party, comprising: an originating switch for receiving a call dialed by the calling party to a predetermined access number from the calling party; a processor for prompting the calling party for a destination number and for determining if the destination number is automatically authorized to accept the cost of the telephone call dialed by the calling party; and a terminating switch for completing the telephone call to the destination number; and automatically billing the cost of the call to the destination number.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-11 | 2002-07-13 | 2003-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-11 | 2006-07-13 | 2007-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-11 | 2010-07-13 | 2011-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |