Patent ID: 6356630
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A telephone calling card service system for processing telephone calls to be charged to calling card accounts, said system comprising:a plurality of input telephonic devices operatively coupled to an origination telephone line, said input telephonic device comprising an alphanumeric information generator adapted to at least transmit a calling card account card number, security information, and a destination telephone number; an automated intelligent network (IN) coupled to origination telephone lines adapted to process calling card account telephone calls, said IN comprising a service control point (SCP), and said SCP comprising an SCP control unit and an SCP database coupled to said SCP control unit, said IN being adapted to authorize the routing of calling card account telephone calls; and at least one switch operatively coupled to said origination telephone line and to said SCP, said switch adapted to route calls authorized by said SCP to a destination number specified by a customer; said SCP database at least storing system account numbers, corresponding security information and an assigned Virtual Destination Number (VDN), and said SCP control unit, upon receipt of customer information collected via said origination telephone line, compares information and determines whether a telephone call is authorized; and said SCP being adapted to provide additional services to said customer and third parties based upon said VDN.