System and method of manufacture for establishing local payphone calls through long distance carrier switches
View Patent ↗A method and system for establishing a local call from a payphone by a customer through long distance carrier switches. The payphone customer dials a long distance provider primary intralata carrier (PIC) code followed by a number sequence. The local call is routed to a long distance provider switch using the long distance provider PIC code. The payphone call is then routed to a voice response unit (VRU) using the number sequence. The VRU prompts the payphone customer to select local calling from the VRU menu, enter a destination number, and to enter their long distance calling card information. The system then verifies that the customer's calling card account is active and connects the call.
1. A system for establishing a local call from a payphone comprising:
means for receiving a user entered primary intralata code followed by a number sequence into a telephone company central switch;
means for recognizing that the local call is to be routed to a long distance provider based on the user entered primary intralata carrier code and the number sequence, the number sequence indicating that a long distance provider should route the call to an interactive voice response unit; and
means for routing the local call to a long distance provider switch.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising means for routing the local call to a telephone company tandem switch for routing to the long distance provider.
3. A system for establishing a local call, comprising:
a payphone for initiating a call and enabling a user to manually enter a primary intralata code followed by a number sequence;
a telephone company central office switch for receiving the local call into a local telephone company network;
a long distance provider switch for accepting said primary intralata code and the number sequence, the number sequence indicating that a long distance provider should route the call to an interactive voice response unit, the interactive voice response unit interfacing with the user and accepting a selection of local calling, a destination number and calling card account identification information; and
a data access point for verifying said calling card account identification information.
4. The system of claim 3 , further comprising a telephone company tandem switch for receiving the local call from said telephone company central office switch and sending the local call to said long distance provider switch.
5. A method to establish a local call from a payphone comprising:
receiving a user entered primary intralata code followed by a number sequence into a telephone company central office switch;
recognizing that the local call is to be routed to a long distance provider based on the user entered primary intralata carrier code and the number sequence, the number sequence indicating that a long distance provider should route the call to an interactive voice response unit; and
routing the call to a long distance provider switch.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising routing the local call to a telephone company tandem switch for routing to said long distance provider.
7. A method of making a call, comprising:
initiating the call and enabling a user to manually enter a primary intralata code followed by a number sequence;
receiving the local call into a local telephone company network;
accepting said primary intralata code and the number sequence, the number sequence indicating that a long distance provider should route the call to an interactive voice response unit, the interactive voice response unit interfacing with the user and accepting a selection of local calling, a destination number and calling card account identification information; and
verifying said calling card account identification information.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising receiving the local call from said telephone company central office switch and sending the local call to said long distance provider switch.
9. A calling method comprising:
receiving a combination of a user entered primary intralata code and a number;
recognizing that a local call is to be routed to a long distance provider based on the user entered primary intralata carrier code and the number, the number indicating a long distance provider should route the call to an interactive voice response unit;
routing the call to a long distance provider switch; and
at least one of terminating the call or terminating the call to a destination phone at least based on input received at the interactive voice response unit.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising verifying a calling card.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising storing active calling card accounts.