Patent ID: 6735290
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
In a telecommunications network, a method of pre-setting a long distance charge for a telephone call from a calling party to a called party, comprising the steps of:receiving a pre-set charge dialing code and a terminating number; invoking a pre-set calling engine; determining a calling plan associated with a calling party; presenting a set of instructions to the calling party, wherein the instructions describe how to pre-set the long distance charge for the telephone call; during the telephone call, receiving an indication from the calling party indicating a cost for the telephone call; determining a time period associated with the telephone call based on the cost and the calling plan; after determining the time period associated with the telephone call based on the cost and the calling plan, presenting the cost and time period for the call to the calling party; connecting the telephone call; determining whether the time period has expired; and if so, then disconnecting the telephone call.