Patent ID: 6154532
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A method of minimizing phone charges comprising:receiving preconnection information transmitted to a callee's toll free telephone line in response to an incoming call from a caller,examining the preconnection information and determining the caller's telephone number without answering the incoming call,examining the preconnection information and determining whether or not the incoming call was placed from a pay phone without answering the incoming call,completing the call if it is determined that the incoming call was not placed from a pay phone, andnot completing the incoming call if it is determined the incoming call was placed from a pay telephone, andautomatically placing a return call by dialing the caller's telephone number,prompting the caller to enter an identification code when the caller answers the return call,verifying the identification code corresponds to an authorized caller,producing an alarm that indicates a return call has been made, andcompleting the call.