Abstract:
A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing pre-pay and post-pay calls. A switching system receives the call where the switching system is class 4 or class 5. The switching system extends the call toward an integrated service platform. The switching system then receives the call destination number and the call validation parameter. The switching system releases the call extension to the integrated service platform and extends the call using the call destination number if the call validation parameter allows the call. The switching system monitors a duration of the call and terminates the call if the duration meets or exceeds an amount indicated by the call validation parameter. One advantage for post-pay calls is the provision of post-pay calls service such as messaging and validation is centralized in the integrated service platform, which reduces the time and cost of maintaining the post-pay service.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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     MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to communication networks, and more particularly, to a system for providing pre-pay and post-pay calls using an integrated service platform connected for a portion of the calls. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     As is the case for most businesses, telecommunication service providers desire to increase their profits. Typically, profits are increased by offering new products and services, and by reducing costs associated with providing products and offering services. Communication service providers typically offer services on a very large scale, such as on a nationwide basis. In this environment, communication providers can substantially reduce costs by decreasing the number of network resources required for offering a service. 
     Communication providers today offer many types of communication services, including pre-pay and post-pay calling card services. In a pre-pay calling card service, a caller obtains a pre-pay account with an amount such as monetary amount or a period of time that is debited against when a pre-pay call is made. Typically, a caller calls an 800 number to place the pre-pay call and enters the pre-pay account number and destination phone number. In a post-pay calling card service, the caller pays for the post-pay call after the post-pay account is charged with the post-pay call and the caller is billed. With some post-pay calling card services, there is a credit limit that is not to be exceeded for a post-pay account. Current implementations of these services require different platforms, despite the similar functions being performed to implement these services. For example, current implementations of pre-pay and post-pay calling card services use separate and distinct validation servers. 
     FIG. 1 depicts a system level block diagram for prior solutions of pre-pay calling card services, post-pay calling card services, and “connect to resource” services. FIG. 2 depicts a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providing pre-pay calling card services. In FIG. 2, a first switch  110  receives a pre-pay call over a link  102 . The first switch  110  then processes the pre-pay call and transmits a route query for a Service Control Point (SCP)  150  via a link  106 , a signal transfer point  140 , and a link  108 . The first switch  110  receives a routing instruction from the SCP  150 . Using information from the routing instruction, the first switch  110  routes the pre-pay call to a service platform  160  via a link  112 , a third switch  130 , and a link  128 . The service platform  160  then collects the digits from the pre-pay call for the pre-pay account code and destination number. The service platform  160  validates and rates the collected digits. If the pre-pay account code and destination number are valid, the service platform  160  extends the pre-pay call to the destination phone via the link  128 , the third switch  130 , a link  126 , a second switch  120  and a link  124 . The service platform  160  monitors a duration of the pre-pay call and terminates the pre-pay call if the call duration exceeds the number of remaining units on the pre-pay account. One disadvantage with this solution is the pre-pay call is extended through the first switch  110 , third switch  130 , the service platform  160 , and the second switch  120 . Thus, many network resources are utilized, which unnecessarily burdens the service platform  160  and the 3 rd  switch  130  for the pre-pay call to reach its destination. 
     FIG. 3 depicts a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providing post-pay calling card services. In FIG. 3, the first switch  110  receives the post-pay call over the link  102 . The first switch  110  then processes the post-pay call. The first switch  110  collects the digits from the post-pay call for a post-pay account code and a post-pay destination number. The first switch  110  then transmits a validate code query for the SCP  150  via the link  106 , the signal transfer point  140 , and the link  108 . The first switch  110  receives a validate code response from the SCP  150 . If the post-pay account code is valid based on the validate code response, the first switch  110  extends the post-pay call to the destination phone via a link  114 , the second switch  120 , and the link  124 . Once the post-pay call is completed, the first switch  110  generates billing information for the post-pay account code. The disadvantage with this solution is the maintenance and cost problems of providing the post-pay call service. In this solution, the first switch  110  performs the majority of the post-pay call service such as collecting digits and validating caller digits. Thus, a simple change in post-pay call service would have large costs to distribute the change to each switch that performs post-pay call service. 
     FIG. 4 depicts a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providing “connect to resource” call processing services. In FIG. 4, the first switch  110  receives the call over the link  102  from a user that requires voice response interaction before the call is connected to the called destination. The first switch  110  then processes the call and transmits a route query for the SCP  150  via the link  106 , the signal transfer point  140 , and the link  108 . The first switch  110  receives a routing instruction from the SCP  150  that routes the call from the first switch  110  to the service platform  160 . The SCP  150  also transmits a context message containing call information to the service platform  160  via the link  116 . Using information from the routing instruction, the first switch  110  routes the call to the service platform  160  via the link  112 , the third switch  130 , and the link  128 . After receiving the call and the context information from the SCP  150 , the service platform  160  plays a prompt message and collects information from the caller. The service platform  160  processes the call by processing the information and sending a transfer request message to the SCP  150  via the link  116 . The SCP  150  processes the transfer request message and transmits a destination instruction to the first switch  110  via the link  108 , the signal transfer point  140 , and the link  106 . The first switch  110  then disconnects the call between the first switch and the service platform  160  and extends the call to the destination phone via the link  114 , the second switch  120 , and the link  124 . 
     The “connect to resource” solution is further described in a pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/063,902 entitled “Telecommunications Resource Connection and Operation Using a Service Control Point”, filed on Apr. 21, 1998, and is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Current pre-pay and post-pay implementations do not provide enough flexibility for providing new services, such as providing customized greetings that are easily and dynamically changeable. Currently, post-pay call greetings are played to a customer by a switching system and a voice response unit, which cause the greetings to be very expensive to change, and do not provide enough flexibility. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention solves the above problem by providing pre-pay calls and post-pay calls using an integrated system. In accord with the invention, the switching system receives the call wherein the switching system is class 4 or class 5. The switching system extends the call toward an integrated service platform. The switching system then receives the call destination number and the call validation parameter. The switching system releases the call extension to the integrated service platform and extends the call using the call destination number if the call validation parameter allows the call. The switching system monitors a duration of the call and terminates the call if the duration meets or exceeds an amount indicated by the call validation parameter. 
     One advantage of the invention for pre-pay calls is the pre-pay call is no longer extended to the integrated service platform for the entire duration of the pre-pay call. Thus, network resources used to extend the call to the integrated service platform are freed up to handle other communication traffic. Also, the integrated service platform itself is freed to handle other pre-pay and post-pay calls. One advantage for post-pay calls is the provision of post-pay calls such as messaging and validation is centralized. Thus, changes in post-pay call service can be accomplished quickly and with reduced costs. The combination of pre-pay and post pay call service in one integrated service platform provides companies with an easier solution to alter both pre-pay and post-pay call services. Also, the support systems for pre-pay and post-pay services such as validation systems are combined into a single integrated support system. The time and costs to modify pre-pay and post-pay support services can then be reduced. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a system level block diagram for prior solutions of pre-pay calling card services, post-pay calling card services, and “connect to resource” services. 
     FIG. 2 is a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providing pre-pay calling card services. 
     FIG. 3 is a message sequence chart for a prior solution of providing post-pay calling card services. 
     FIG. 4 is a message sequence chart for a prior solution of “connect to resource” call processing services. 
     FIG. 5 is system level block diagram in an example of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a message sequence chart for the operation of a pre-pay calling card service in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a message sequence chart for a post-pay calling card service in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a system level block diagram for a system including a billing system and a validation system in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a message sequence chart for the operation of a pre-pay calling card service for a system including a billing system and a validation system in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a message sequence chart for the operation of a post-pay calling card service for a system including a billing system and a validation system in an example of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Pre-pay and Post-pay Call System—FIGS. 5-7 
     FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram in an example of the present invention. A link  502  is connected to a switching system  504 . The switching system  504  is connected to an integrated service platform  508  via a link  506 . The integrated service platform  508  includes a pre-pay and post-pay validation system  512 . A link  510  is also connected to the switching system  504 . 
     The switching system  504  could be a conventional communication switch configured in accord with the invention. The switching system  504  receives calls and extends the calls to the integrated service platform  508 . The switching system  504  then receives a destination number and a validation parameter generated by the integrated service platform  508  and releases the call extension to the integrated service platform  508 . For pre-pay calls, the switching system  504  extends the pre-pay call using the pre-pay destination number, monitors a duration of the pre-pay call, and terminates the pre-pay call if the duration exceeds a pre-pay amount indicated by the pre-pay validation parameter. For post-pay calls, the switching system  504  releases the post-pay call extension to the integrated service platform  508 , and extends the post-pay call using the post-pay destination number if the post-pay validation parameter allows the post-pay call. 
     The integrated service platform  508  could be a conventional communication system configured in accord with the invention. The integrated service platform  508  receives calls from the switching system  504 . The integrated service platform  508  obtains the destination number and the validation parameter for the call. The integrated service platform  508  then transfers the destination number and the validation parameter to the switching system  504 . The pre-pay and post-pay validation system  512  validates the pre-pay account code and the post-pay account codes. In other embodiments of the invention, the pre-pay and post-pay validation system  512  is separate from the integrated service platform  508 . 
     FIG. 6 depicts a message sequence chart for the operation of a pre-pay calling card service in an example of the invention. In FIG. 6, the switching system  504  receives the pre-pay call via the link  502 . The switching system  504  then extends the pre-pay call to the integrated service platform  508  via the link  506 . Upon receiving the pre-pay call, the integrated service platform  508  obtains the pre-pay destination number and the pre-pay validation parameter for the pre-pay call. The integrated service platform  508  transfers the pre-pay destination number and the pre-pay validation parameter to the switching system  504  via the link  506 . After receiving the pre-pay destination number and the pre-pay validation parameter, the switching system  504  releases the pre-pay call extension to the integrated service platform  508 . The switching system  504  then extends the call using the pre-pay destination number through the link  510 . As the pre-pay call is in progress, the switching system  504  monitors the duration of the pre-pay call. If the duration exceeds the pre-pay amount indicated by the pre-pay validation parameter, the switching system  504  terminates the pre-pay call. 
     FIG. 7 depicts a message sequence chart for the operation of a post-pay calling card service in an example of the invention. In FIG. 7, the switching system  504  receives the post-pay call via the link  502 . The switching system  504  then extends the post-pay call to the integrated service platform  508  via the link  506 . Upon receiving the post-pay call, the integrated service platform  508  obtains the post-pay destination number and the post-pay validation parameter for the post-pay call. The integrated service platform  508  transfers the post-pay destination number and the post-pay validation parameter to the switching system  504  via the link  506 . After receiving the post-pay destination number and the post-pay validation parameter, the switching system  504  releases the post-pay extension to the integrated service platform  508 . The switching system  504  then extends the call using the post-pay destination number through the link  510  if the post-pay validation parameter allows the post-pay call. 
     Pre-pay and Post-pay Call System with Billing System and Validation System—FIGS. 8-10 
     FIGS. 8-10 disclose one embodiment of the invention, but the invention is not restricted to the configuration provided below. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations in pre-pay and post-pay call system configuration and operation that are within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate how the principles illustrated in this example can be used in other examples of the invention. A particular reference number in one figure refers to the same element in all of the other figures. 
     In FIG. 8, illustrated is an embodiment of the present invention which comprises a switching system  800 , an originating communication device  810 , a destination communication device  820 , an integrated service platform  830 , a service control point (SCP)  840 , a validation system  850 , and a rating platform  862 . In addition, the first embodiment optionally includes a billing system  860  for performing billing functionality in the case of post-pay calls. 
     As illustrated, switching system  800  includes a switching element  802 , a call processor  804 , and some memory/storage  806  for maintaining instructions and data readable by call processor  804 . As would be understood by one skilled in the art, the presented invention is not limited to a particular switching system; rather, many different switching system configurations are possible in keeping with the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     Switching system  800  is connected to originating communication device  810  via link  815 , and to destination communication device  820  via link  825 . The present invention presents links  815  and  825  as a single line for simplification purposes. As would be apparent to one skilled in the art, links  815  and  825  typically comprise many different elements such as transmission and switching systems. The present invention does not require origination communication device  810  be directly connected switching system  800 . Furthermore, although not required by the present invention, there are cost advantages in making switching system  800  the originating switching system for the call. Similarly, there is no requirement that destination communication device  820  be directly connected to switching system  800 . Rather, in most calls provided according to the present invention, destination communication device  820  will be connected to another switching system interconnected to switching system  800  via a public switched, cellular, or private telephone network, or some combination of these networks. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 8, switching system  800  is further connected to service control point  840  via link  845 , and to integrated service platform  830  via link  835 . Integrated service platform  830  and service control point  840  are additionally connected to validation system  850  via links  855  and  875 , respectively. In addition, service control point  840  is connected to billing system  860  via link  865 . Service control point  840  is connected to rating platform  862  via link  864 . Service control point  840  is connected to integrated service platform  830  via link  885 . In an embodiment, links  845 ,  855 ,  864 ,  865 , and  875  comprise one or more signaling networks, such as a Signaling System 7 (SS7) or TCP/IP data network. Additionally, link  835  typically includes one or more voice trunks for providing a voice path for a call between the originating communication device  810  and the integrated service platform  830 . 
     In FIGS. 9 and 10, illustrated are message sequence charts depicting the flow of signaling messages in one or more embodiments of the present invention. The operation of an embodiment for providing pre-pay calls is now further described with reference to the message sequence chart illustrated in FIG.  9 . The operation of an embodiment for providing post-pay calls is then described with reference to the message sequence chart illustrated in FIG.  10 . 
     In FIG. 9, originating communication device  810  initiates a pre-pay call to switching system  800 . Preferably, the pre-pay communication service is accessed by dialing a predetermined “800” telephone number (e.g., 1-800-xxx-xxxx, 1-888-xxx-xxxx). Switching system  800  recognizes the “800” type call, and sends a route query to service control point  840  requesting call handling information. Service control point  840  returns a route instruction including the network address of integrated service platform  830 . A voice path is then established between originating communication device  810  and integrated service platform  830 . For simplicity, messages to any intervening network elements between switching system  800  and integrated service platform  830  are not described in FIG.  9 . 
     Next, integrated service platform  830  requests context information from service control point  840  and receives this context information. This context information includes a call-leg count that indicates the number of call-legs that are successfully established. For example, a connection from the switching system  800  to the integrated service platform  830  represents one call-leg, and a connection from the switching system  800  to destination communication device  820  represents a second call-leg. The present invention allows several call-legs to be added and dropped during a single call. 
     Integrated service platform  830  then plays a welcome message and prompts the originating caller to enter a pre-pay account code. The pre-pay account code is then received by integrated service platform  830  from originating communication device  810 . Integrated service platform  830  then prompts for and receives the destination telephone number corresponding to the destination communication device  820 . In parallel with or subsequent to the request for the destination telephone number, the integrated service platform  830  sends a pre-pay query to the validation system  850  with the received pre-pay account code, and a pre-pay validation response is returned to the integrated service platform  830 . This pre-pay validation response typically contains an indication whether the pre-pay account code is currently valid or not; and if the user is authorized, then the message contains a pre-pay validation parameter. The pre-pay validation parameter may indicate a monetary value or a period of time. In an embodiment, the pre-pay validation parameter is announced to the originating caller. For example, an audible announcement is played to the originating caller indicating the time, monetary duration, or credit available for the pre-pay call. 
     The integrated service platform  830  passes a transfer request message indicating the pre-pay validation parameter and the telephone number of the destination communication device  820  to the service control point  840 , which relays, and possibly reformats to a transfer instruction, this information to switching system  800 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, service control point  840  transmits a query with the pre-pay validation parameter to rating platform  862  for a cost per minute table to determine how many minutes a call can be in progress before exceeding an available dollar amount. The rating platform  862  then transmits a response including the calculated remaining minutes to switching system  800  via link  864 , service control point  840 , and link  845 . The rating platform  862  may also receive update instructions to update the rating information for an account. 
     Switching system  800  then extends the pre-pay call through the communication network so the pre-pay call is connected between the originating communication device  810  and the destination communication device  820 . Switching system  800  then monitors the pre-pay call. Optionally, and preferably, switching system  800  imparts an audible indication identifying when the duration of the pre-pay call approaches the duration limit. For example, switching system  800  might use voice synthesis technology to state that there is “two minutes left”, “one minute left”, and “time expired”; or alternatively, various audible tones are used as duration indicators. 
     After the pre-pay validation parameter has been announced, the voice path between the originating communication device  810  and the integrated service platform  830  is disconnected, as the present invention does not require this resource to be unnecessarily tied up for the call duration as required by previous systems. Typically, the voice path between the originating communication device  810  and the integrated service platform  830  is disconnected in parallel with operation of connecting the pre-pay call and performance of other operations. 
     When the duration of the pre-pay call reaches or exceeds a pre-pay amount indicated by the received pre-pay validation parameter, switching system  800  terminates the pre-pay call. Communication switch  800  sends a notice of termination to the service control point  840 . Communication switch  800  also sends a notice of termination to the service control point  840  when the pre-pay call terminates normally. Service control point  840  updates the pre-pay validation parameter with the duration of the pre-pay call and transmits a pre-pay update instruction including the pre-pay validation parameter and the pre-pay account code to validation system  850 . Service control point  840  prepares a standard call detail record and sends this message to billing system  860 . Validation system  850  then updates its database to reflect the new pre-pay validation parameter and the pre-pay account code. 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, originating communication device  810  initiates a post-pay call to switching system  800 . Preferably, the post-pay communication service is accessed by dialing a predetermined “800” telephone number (e.g., 1-800-xxx-xxxx, 1-888-xxx-xxxx). Switching system  800  recognizes the “800” type call, and sends a route query to service control point  840  requesting the network address (i.e., phone number) of integrated service platform  830 . Service control point  840  returns a route instruction including this network address. A voice path is then established between originating communication device  810  and integrated service platform  830 . For simplicity, messages to any intervening network elements between switching system  800  and integrated service platform  830  are not described in FIG.  10 . 
     Next, integrated service platform  830  requests context information from service control point  840  and receives this context information. This context information includes a call-leg count that indicates the number of call-legs that are successfully established. For example, a connection from the switching system  800  to the integrated service platform  830  represents one call-leg, and a connection from the switching system  800  to destination communication device  820  represents a second call-leg. The present invention allows several call-legs to be added and dropped during a single call. 
     Integrated service platform  830  then plays a welcome message and prompts the originating caller to enter an authorized post-pay account code. The post-pay account code is then received by integrated service platform  830  from originating communication device  810 . Integrated service platform  830  then prompts for and receives the destination telephone number corresponding to the destination communication device  820 . In parallel with or subsequent to the request for the destination telephone number, the integrated service platform sends a post-pay query to the validation system  850  with the received post-pay account code, and a post-pay validation response is returned to the integrated service platform  830 . This post-pay validation response typically contains an indication whether the post-pay account code is currently valid or not. 
     In an optional embodiment, the post-pay validation response additionally contains a post-pay credit parameter which is used like a pre-pay validation parameter for pre-pay calls as previously described herein. In this case, switching system  800  would similarly monitor the call duration, provide the audible indication messages, and terminate the post-pay call when the authorized service duration is reached or exceeded. 
     The integrated service platform  830  passes a transfer request message indicating the telephone number of the destination communication device  820  to the service control point  840 , which relays, and possibly reformats to a transfer instruction, this information to switching system  800 . Switching system  800  then extends the post-pay call through the communication network so the post-pay call is connected between the originating communication device  810  and the destination communication device  820 . 
     After, or in parallel with the completion of the post-pay call, the voice path between the originating communication device  810  and the integrated service platform  830  is disconnected, as the present invention does not require this resource to be unnecessarily tied up for the call duration as required by previous systems. When the post-pay call is terminated (e.g., the originating communication device  810  or destination communication device  820  goes on-hook), communications switch  800  sends a notice of termination to the service control point  840 . Service control point  840  prepares a standard call detail record and sends this message to billing system  860 . Billing systems for processing and invoicing customers are well-known in the art. 
     The above-described elements can be comprised of instructions that are stored on storage media. The instructions can be retrieved and executed by a processor. Some examples of instructions are software, program code, and firmware. Some examples of storage media are memory devices, tape, disks, integrated circuits, and servers. The instructions are operational when executed by the processor to direct the processor to operate in accord with the invention. Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, processor, and storage media. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of the above-described embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples and illustrations discussed above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents.