Patent ID: 7013002
Filing Date: 2006-03-14
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A method of processing a call from an inmate facility, the method comprising: receiving a call and a number to call from an inmate facility at an inmate platform; generating a query from the inmate platform to an external line information database (LIDB) platform to determine a blocking status signal for the number to determine a blocking status of a called party; processing the blocking status signal and further comprising: when the status blocking signal indicates a non-blocked condition, transferring control from the inmate platform to an operator services platform and using the operator services platform to prompt the called party to determine whether charges for the collect call are accepted, to prompt for a billing type for the charges, and to connect the collect call from the inmate facility to the called party when the charges for the collect call are accepted by the called party; and when the blocking status signal indicates a blocked condition, using the inmate platform to prompt the called party to determine whether charges for the collect call are accepted and when the charges are accepted to further receive third party billing information to provide for payment of the accepted charges and to connect the call from the inmate facility to the called party when the third party billing information is validated for payment of the accepted charges.