Abstract:
Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) access is provided for a communications services platform. A caller may dial a local DDD number or a long distance DDD number to access the communications services platform. A platform may provide a plurality of different communications services, including voicemail services, paging services, automatic routing services, and facsimile messaging services. Expenses associated with servicing the call are partitioned between a caller and a subscriber of the communications services platform in an intuitive and reasonable fashion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/925,378, filed Sep. 8, 1997, no U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,575, entitled “Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) Access to a Communication Service Platform.” 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to telecommunications systems and, more particularly, to a system that provides Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) access to a communications services platform. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A number of different communications services are available to a customer, including local telephone service, long distance telephone service, automatic routing service, cellular telephone services, voice mail messaging service, facsimile messaging service, paging service, and the like. Unfortunately, each such service requires a unique telephone number. As a result, the customer must manage the multiple telephone numbers and not confuse the mapping of telephone numbers to services. This confusion is enhanced by each of the services being separately billed such that a customer receives separate billing statements for each of the services. Unfortunately, accessing communications services like those described above are not generally available by single number DDD access. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides direct distance dialing (DDD) access to a platform that provides multiple communications services. The platform may provide, for example, voice mail services, paging services, automatic routing services, facsimile messaging services and other services. The billing for calls that are handled by the platform is shared between the caller and the subscriber. The caller will be charged as if the caller attempted to place a call to the subscriber at the subscriber&#39;s home location (i.e., at the location dialed by the caller). The other charges associated with the call will be assessed to the subscriber of services that are provided by the platform. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a method is practiced in a telecommunications network that has a switch for routing calls and a platform that provides multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber. A call is received at the switch from a caller that was initiated as a DDD call by dialing a DDD number. The switch performs a translation of the DDD number to a value for accessing the platform. The call is routed from the switch to the platform using the translated value. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the telecommunications network includes a platform for providing multiple communications services on behalf of the subscriber. The telecommunications network also includes a selected switch that receives a call from a caller who dials a DDD telephone number to place a call to the subscriber. The switch includes a translator for translating the DDD telephone number to a translated value for use in routing the call. The telecommunications network also includes routing switching for using the translated value to route the call to the platform. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a method is practiced in a telecommunications network that has a platform for providing multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber. The method is concerned with billing a call that is initiated from a caller to the subscriber but that is serviced by the platform. The caller is charged for calling the subscriber, whereas the servicing performed by the platform is charged to the subscriber. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described relative to the following figures. 
     FIG. 1 depicts a communications services platform that is suitable for practicing the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the steps that are performed by the communications services platform in servicing a call. 
     FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the steps performed in the general call flow for the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the call flow when a caller dials a long distance DDD number and the call is directed to a subscriber&#39;s alternate destination. 
     FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates the steps that are performed for the call flow depicted in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the steps that are performed to realize billing for the call flow of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the call flow when a caller dials a long distance DDD number and the call is directed by the platform to the subscriber&#39;s home. 
     FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the steps that are performed to realize the call flow depicted in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating how billing is realized in the call flow of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a call flow when a caller dials a long distance DDD number that is directed to a voicemail/faxmail platform (VFP). 
     FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the steps that are performed to realize the call flow depicted in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the steps that are performed to bill a call for the call flow depicted in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 13 illustrates the call flow when a caller dials a local DDD number and the platform redirects the call to a subscriber&#39;s alternate destination. 
     FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the steps that differ from those depicted in FIG. 3 for the call flow of FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 15 depicts the call flow when a caller dials a local DDD number and the platform directs the call to a subscriber&#39;s home location. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) access to a communications services platform. The communications services platform provides multiple communications services, which may include automatic routing services, voicemail services, facsimile services, paging services and other services. The platform may be accessible not only by DDD access, but also may be accessible by toll-free 800/888 numbers, virtual private network (VPN) number accessed and by remote computer access, such as by intranet, extranet, or Internet. 
     The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides consolidated billing to a subscriber for the multiple communications services that are provided by the platform. The exemplary embodiment allows billing to the caller for non-toll-free access to the platform. As such, the subscriber only pays for the portion of the call that is extended from the original DDD destination to the final destination. The caller pays for the portion of the call from the point of call origination to the original DDD destination. The caller will only pay for the call that they know they are making but is still able to reach the subscriber at another destination. 
     DDD is the standard method for placing long distance calls to North American destinations. A DDD telephone number is typically ten digits for long distance calls and seven digits for local calls. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows a DDD number to be dialed to access the platform in a fashion that is indistinguishable from dialing a DDD number to place a call anywhere else. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention also allows international DDD dialing. 
     A “platform” refers to a computer, computing resources or other mechanisms that provide communications services, such as voice mail services, electronic mail services, facsimile services, paging services, call screening services, and automatic routing services. A “subscriber” refers to a person for whom that platform provides services. A “caller” refers to a person or other entity that initiates a call to the platform to attempt to reach the subscriber. 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a system architecture for the communications services platform. This system architecture is part of a larger telecommunications network as will be described in more detail below. The single telephone number that provides access to the subscriber may be accessed both by the subscriber and by a caller that is attempting to reach the subscriber. The platform  10  includes an automated call distributor (ACD)  18  for performing switching functions and providing access to the platform. The ACD  18  routes incoming calls to components within the platform to ensure that the calls are properly handled. The ACD  18  may be a conventional digital matrix switch that includes programs for performing call queuing and distribution. A suitable switch for the ACD  18  is the Northern Telecom DMS- 100 . 
     The platform  10  includes an application processor (AP)  46  that assists the ACD  18 . The AP  46  may be a dedicated computer system that provides intelligent application processing for the ACD  18 . The AP performs functionality that may be off-loaded from the ACD  18  to enable the ACD to focus on performing the switching and queuing functions required by the platform. The AP  46  is coupled to the ACD  18  via an ISDN implementation of a switch/computer application interface (SCAI) link  30 . 
     The platform  10  includes an automated response unit (ARU)  20  that provides voice response and menu routing functions to a caller. The ARU  20  facilitates caller input via selection of dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) digits, such as by pressing keys on the telephone keypad. The ARU  20  may provide various automated menus through which the caller may navigate to reach a desired service. The ARU  20  includes a network audio server (NAS)  22  that is a server computer with a voice telephony interface to the ACD  18 . The NAS  22  is linked to the ACD  18  via multiple voice trunks  23  and, in general, provides an audio interface to a caller. ARU  20  includes an automated call processor (ACP)  24 . The ACP  24  provides intelligent call processing functions for the ARU  20 . The ARU  20  handles all initial inbound calls for the platform  10 . The ARU  20 , the AP  46  and other components may be interconnected via a local area network (LAN)  26 , such as an Ethernet network. The ACP  24  operates by executing scripts that take callers through a series of menus. The ACP  24  accepts caller input, makes decisions based upon the caller input, and performs actions, such as a transfer of calls to destinations, in order to provide services. The ACP  24  prompts the NAS  22  to play prompts to callers, to gather DTMF digit input, to play various recorded messages and to direct the caller to other destinations. A high-grade mid-range computer, such as the IBMRS/6000 or an alpha-based server may be used to implement the ACP  24 . 
     Scripts executed by the ACP  24  determine what communication services are provided to a caller, and the ACP provides those services by commanding the NAS  22  to transfer calls to the appropriate service providers. The scripts executed by the ACP  24  may be customized for a subscriber by using a subscriber profile&#39;s input data. The subscriber profile is stored for use by the platform, and specifies what services are available to a subscriber. 
     The platform  10  may include one or more operator consoles at which operators are stationed. The operator consoles  28  are specialized workstations that may include telephone facilities, such as a head set and a telephone key pad. The operators at the operator consoles  28  may perform much of the same functionality that is provided by the ARU  20 . 
     The platform  10  may include a voice mail/fax mail platform (VFP)  32  for collecting, storing and managing voice mail messages and facsimile messages. The telephone switching network  14  is connected to the VFP  32  via Feature Group D (FGD) trunks  33 . Calls that require voice mail messages or facsimile messages are transferred to the VFP  32  from the area  20  with the assistance of the ACD  18  and the switching network  14 . 
     The platform  10  may include multiple network implementation distribution servers (NIDS)  27 ,  34 , and  36 . Each of these NIDS  27 ,  34 , and  36  may be implemented as a separate computer system. They may be redundant and each may serve the role of storing database information, including subscriber profiles. In general, the ACP  24  submits database queries to the NIDS  27 ,  34 , and  36  to obtain data or subscriber profiles. Subscriber profiles may be used to determine what scripts to play to a caller and to determine what destination telephone numbers and mailbox identifiers are to be used. The NIDS  27 ,  34 , and  36  may also be interconnected via a token ring LAN  38 . This LAN  38  may be used for updates that are made to subscriber profiles and keep the databases stored on the various NIDS  27 ,  34 , and  36  consistent with a centralized profile database that is maintained by the mainframe profile management system  40 . This system  40  is implemented on the dedicated mainframe or other suitable computer system. 
     The platform  10  may include a web server  42  that is connected to the token ring LAN  38  to provide a web site for subscriber access over a network  44 , such as an intranet, the Internet, or an extranet. The web server  42  is described in more detail in copending application entitled “SYSTEM FOR INTERNET-BASED PROFILE MANAGEMENT IN A SINGLE NUMBER COMMUNICATIONS SERVER,” which is assigned to a common assignee with the present application and which is explicitly incorporated by reference herein. 
     The call originator  12  depicted in FIG. 1 represents the origination of a call to the platform  10 . This call may be from a subscriber or a caller that is seeking to reach the telephone number that is assigned to the subscriber. The call may also originate from a non-human source, such as a facsimile machine or computer. The call reaches a switch network  14  of the service provider in any of a number of different ways, including local exchange carrier, private line, dedicated access line or international carrier. The switch network  14  routes the call to the ACD  18  via a release link trunk (RLT)  16 . The RLT  16  is a voice trunk that may be released from a call when the extended back to the switch network  14  by the ACD  18 . 
     The platform is described in more detail in copending application entitled “SINGLE TELEPHONE NUMBER ACCESS TO MULTIPLE COMMUNICATION SERVICES,” which is assigned to a common assignee and which is explicitly incorporated by reference herein. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other platforms may be utilized to practice the present invention. The platform depicted in FIG. 1 is intended to merely illustrative. 
     FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the steps that are performed in processing a call that is received by the platform  10 . Initially, it is determined whether a facsimile tone is detected so as to determine whether the call initiated from the facsimile source, such as a facsimile machine or a computer system (step  50  in FIG.  2 ). In such a case, the platform enables a facsimile connection to be realized so that a facsimile message may be sent to the subscriber from the caller (step  52  in FIG.  2 ). The platform allows an override feature to be set by the subscriber so that a guest caller does not have the option of choosing what communications services are to be applied by the platform. Instead, the override dictates how the call will be routed. Thus, in step  54 , it is determined whether the override is set, and if the override is set, the appropriate routing is performed (step  56  in FIG.  2 ). If the override is not set, a guest menu is played that allows the user to choose a number of different options and the platform receives user selection, such as by the user pressing a key associated with an option (step  58  in FIG.  2 ). If the caller chooses to speak to the party (step  60  in FIG.  2 ), the appropriate routing is performed to connect the caller with the party (step  62  in FIG.  2 ). If the caller chooses to leave a voice mail message (see step  64  in FIG.  2 ), a voice mail is recorded and stored in the subscriber&#39;s voice mail box (step  66  in FIG.  2 ). The caller may also choose to send a facsimile message (see step  68  in FIG.  2 ). In such a case, the platform receives the facsimile message and stores it for the subscriber (step  70  in FIG.  2 ). The caller may additionally choose to send a page to the subscriber (see step  72  in FIG.  2 ). In such a case, the page to the subscriber from the caller is initiated (step  74  in FIG.  2 ). Lastly, a subscriber may gain access to a number of subscriber options by entering a pass code (see steps  76  and  77  in FIG.  2 ). Subscriber options allow the subscriber to configure communications services that are available via the platform. 
     The discussion below will now focus on the details of providing DDD access to the platform in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 provides a flowchart of the steps that are provided during the call flow for a DDD access to platform  10 . FIG. 3 will be described in conjunction with FIG. 4 which depicts components that are involved in processing the call. Initially, a caller  134  dials a DDD number for a subscriber from a location within a local exchange carrier (LEC) to attempt to access the subscriber (step  100  in FIG.  3 ). The call passes to LEC switch  136  (step  102  in FIG. 3) that resides within calling area  130  (see arrow  135  in FIG.  4 ). The LEC switch  136  routes the call to the inter-exchange carrier (IEC) that is selected by the caller  134  so that the call is routed to IEC switch  140  (step  104  in FIG. 3; see arrow  138  in FIG.  4 ). 
     The IEC switch  140  creates a call detail record (CDR) that is used to bill the caller for the non-toll-free access portion of the call to the platform  10  (step  106  in FIG.  3 ). The caller is billed for a standard dial-one long distance call from calling area  130  to calling area  132  in which the subscriber&#39;s home  148  is located. The amount that the caller is charged is determined by the caller&#39;s selected IEC. When the caller places the call, the caller is aware of the billable nature of the call, based upon the DDD number that the caller dials. One of the benefits of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is that it enables the caller to reach the subscriber in an unknown calling area  180  while still being billed for a long distance call to the calling area  132  that the DDD number reflects. As will be described in more detail below, the extension is billed to the subscriber&#39;s platform account. 
     The IEC switch  140  routes the call over the IEC network  142  to an IEC switch  144 ; i.e., switch  144  routes the call to LEC switch  146  within calling area  132  as indicated by arrow  145  in FIG. 4 (step  108  in FIG.  3 ). The LEC switch  146  performs a standard switch table query to yield a number translation (step  110  in FIG.  3 ). In particular, the originally dialed DDD phone number is translated to a second DDD phone number that is unique to the subscriber. The second number is for forwarding the call to the platform  10 . The LEC switch  146  then uses this second DDD number to route the call to an IEC switch  150  along with a carrier identification code (CIC) to designate the network from which the call originated (step  112  in FIG. 3; see arrow  147  in FIG.  4 ). The LEC switch  146  generates a special CIC that designates the call as a call that is destined to the platform  10 . 
     The IEC switch  150  receives the call and issues a query to the data access point (DAP)  154  as indicated by arrow  152  (step  114  in FIG.  3 ). The DAP  154  is a computer hardware/software platform that performs dialed number translations and provides enhanced call routing functions. The IEC switch  150  sends a query message based on the special CIC code that was forwarded from the LEC switch  146 . The DAP  154  returns a translation to the IEC switch  150  (step  116  in FIG.  3 ). Specifically, the DAP  154  translates the DDD number that was provided from the IEC switch  150  to a physical network address for the platform  10 . Alternatively, the IEC switch  150  may perform the DAP query based upon call destination that is identified by the dialed DDD number instead of based upon the special CIC that is provided. 
     The IEC switch  150  uses the translation that is provided by the DAP  154  to redirect the call over IEC network  156  to an IEC bridging switch  158  (step  120  in FIG.  3 ). The IEC switch  150  may forward the originally dialed number in an initial address message (IAM) that is forwarded with the call to the IEC bridging switch  158 . The IEC switch  150  also creates a CDR for the call to hold billing information for the call. The CDR is passed to the IEC bridging switch  158 . As will be described in more detail below, the CDR will be marked as unbillable and dropped in downstream billing (step  118  in FIG.  3 ). 
     The IEC bridging switch  158  routes the call to the platform as indicated by arrow  160  in FIG.  4 . The IEC bridging switch also creates an operator service record that is similar to a CDR and replaces the CDR for calls that are routed to the platform  10 . The OSR is routed with the call to the platform  10  (step  122  in FIG.  3 ). The OSR is merged into a single billing record with a billing detail record that is created by the platform  10 . 
     The platform  10  receives the call and information and services the call (step  124  in FIG.  3 ). As was described above, the platform  10  may service the call in a number of different fashions. 
     FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates the steps that are performed in the instance where the platform  10  redirects the call to a subscriber&#39;s alternate destination. In such an instance, the platform  10  queries the DAP  154  in instances where the call is to a VPN, a special area code or other number that requires routing translation. The DAP returns the translation as indicated by arrow  164  in FIG. 4 (step  182  in FIG.  5 ). The platform  10  is accessed to a subscriber profile that identifies the alternate destination to which the call should be routed. A query to the DAP  154  provides this routing information and thus, the call may be extended from the platform  10  to an IEC bridging switch  158  as indicated by arrow  166  in FIG. 4 (step  184  in FIG.  5 ). The IEC bridging switch  158  receives the extended call and routes the call over the IEC network  168  to an IEC switch  170  (step  186  in FIG.  5 ). The IEC switch  170  routes the call to an LEC switch  174  within the calling area  180  that holds the subscriber&#39;s alternate destination  178  as indicated by arrow  172  in FIG. 4 (step  188  in FIG.  5 ). The LEC switch  174  then routes the call to the subscriber&#39;s alternate destination  178  as indicated by arrow  176  in FIG. 4 (step  190  in FIG.  5 ). 
     In order to better appreciate how billing is performed in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is helpful to consider how the call depicted in FIG. 4 is billed. FIG. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates the steps that are performed to realize the billing for the call of FIG.  4 . It should be appreciated that these steps need not be performed in the sequence depicted in FIG.  6 . The caller  134  is billed based upon the CDR that is created by IEC switch  140  for a long distance call that is placed from the caller in calling area  130  to the subscriber&#39;s home location  148  in calling area  132  (step  192  in FIG.  6 ). A portion of the call leg from the LEC switch  146  to the platform  10  is not billed (step  194  in FIG.  6 ). In particular, the CDR that is created by the IEC switch  150  is marked as unbillable based upon the special CIC generated by LEC switch  146  or based upon the platform destination that is identified by the translated DDD number. The call that is extended from the platform  10  to the subscriber&#39;s alternate destination  178  is billed to the subscriber&#39;s platform account (step  196  in FIG.  6 ). This extended call is based on standard long distance rates from calling area  132  to calling area  180 . If the extended call is a VPN call, the call is billed at VPN rates. Any additional charges for paging, facsimile, voice mail or routing services performed by the platform  10  are also assessed to the subscriber&#39;s platform account (step  198  in FIG.  6 ). 
     FIG. 7 shows an example where the call is not routed to the subscriber&#39;s alternate destination but rather is routed by the platform back to the subscriber&#39;s home location  148 . FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the steps that are performed to direct the call to the subscriber&#39;s home location  148  after the call has reached the platform  10 . The platform  10  queries the DAP  154  as needed and, in such instances, the DAP  154  returns a translation to the platform (step  204  in FIG.  8 ). The call is extended by the platform  10  to the IEC bridging switch  158  as indicated by arrow  166  in FIG. 7 (step  206  in FIG.  8 ). The IEC bridging switch  158  routes the call over the IEC network  156  to the IEC switch  158  as indicated by arrow  200  in FIG. 7 (step  208  in FIG.  8 ). The IEC switch  158  routes the call to the LEC switch  146  within the subscriber&#39;s LEC as indicated by arrow  159  in FIG. 7 (step  210  in FIG.  8 ). The LEC switch  146  then routes the call to the subscriber&#39;s home  148  as indicated by arrow  201  in FIG. 7 (step  212  in FIG.  8 ). 
     FIG. 9 is a flowchart that illustrates the steps that are performed to complete billing when the call flow is like that depicted in FIG.  7 . The caller is billed for a long distance call to the subscriber&#39;s home location  148  based upon the CDR that is created by IEC switch  140  (step  214  in FIG.  9 ). Once again, the call leg that extends from the LEC switch  146  to the platform  10  is not billed. The CDR created by IEC switch  158  is marked as unbillable (step  216  in FIG.  9 ). Any charges that are accrued for extension of a call from the platform  10  to the subscriber&#39;s home location  148  are assessed to the subscriber&#39;s platform account (step  218  in FIG.  9 ). Such charges become part of the BDR created by the platform  10 . 
     The platform  10  may also direct the call to a voicemail/faxmail platform (VFP) so that the caller  134  may leave a voicemail message or a facsimile message for the subscriber. FIG. 10 depicts an instance wherein the call is directed to one of multiple VFPs  220 ,  222  or  224 . It should be appreciated, that the caller may be the subscriber. The VFP is described in more detail in the copending application entitled “SINGLE TELEPHONE NUMBER ACCESS TO MULTIPLE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES,” which was referenced above. FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates the steps that are performed by the exemplary embodiment of the present invention after the call has reached the platform  10  to direct the call to one of the VFPs  220 ,  222  or  224 . Additionally, the platform  10  may query the DAP  154  as needed so that the DAP returns a translation that the platform may utilize (step  230  in FIG.  11 ). The platform  10  determines that the call needs to be transferred to one of the VFPs (step  232  in FIG.  11 ). 
     The steps that are next performed depend upon which VFP  220 ,  222  or  224  is to receive the call. If the call is to be routed to VFP  224 , the platform  10  simply routes the call to VFP  224  that has a direct connection with the platform  10  (step  234  in FIG.  11 ). In contrast, if the call is to be routed to VFP  220  or VFP  222 , the platform  10  must extend the call by attaching the call to IEC bridging switch  158  indicated by arrow  166  in FIG. 10 (step  236  in FIG.  11 ). The platform  10  outpulses the telephone number for the VFP  220  or  222  for the IEC bridging switch  158 . The IEC bridging switch  158  then routes the call over the IEC network  168  to IEC switch  170  (step  238  in FIG.  11 ). If the call is to be routed to an IEC VFP or a private VFP  222 , the IEC switch  170  routes the call to the IEC or private VFP  222  as indicated by arrow  226  in FIG. 10 (step  240  in FIG.  11 ). On the other hand, if the call is to be routed to an LEC VFP  220 , the IEC switch  170  routes the call as indicated by arrow  172  in FIG. 10 to the LEC VFP  220  within calling area  180  (step  242  in FIG.  11 ). 
     FIG. 12 indicates how billing is performed when the call flow follows one of the scenarios depicted in FIG.  10 . The caller is billed for a call from calling area  130  to calling area  132  based upon the CDR that is created by IEC switch  140  (step  250  in FIG.  12 ). The call leg from the LEC switch  146  to the platform is not billed (step  252  in FIG.  12 ). The call, if any, from the platform  10  to the VFP is charged to the subscriber&#39;s platform account (step  254  in FIG.  12 ). Any services provided by the VFP and the platform  10  are charged to the subscriber&#39;s platform account (step  256  in FIG.  12 ). The VFPs  220 ,  222  or  224  are capable of creating a BDR for the services that are provided and the charges associated with this BDR are incorporated into a same invoice as the charges created by the platform BDR. 
     The above examples have includes instances wherein the caller  134  initiates a long distance DDD call rather than a local DDD call. FIG. 13 depicts the call flow for an example wherein the caller  134  dials a local DDD number to attempt to reach the subscriber but the platform  10  redirects the call to the subscriber&#39;s alternate destination  178  within another calling area  180 . The call flow differs from that depicted in FIG. 3 with respect to the steps shown in FIG.  14 . Specifically, instead of step  100  in FIG. 3, the caller  134  dials a local DDD number (step  262  in FIG. 14) that lies within the same calling area  130  as the subscriber&#39;s home  148 . The LEC switch  136 , instead of routing the call to IEC switch  140 , routes the call to LEC switch  146  as indicated by arrow  260  in FIG. 13 (step  264  in FIG.  14 ). The call flow then continues at step  110  of FIG.  3 . In such an example, the caller is billed in a fashion like that depicted in FIG. 6 except that the caller is not billed for a long distance call as in step  192  in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 15 depicts an example of the call flow in which the call is initiated by dialing a local DDD number to access the subscriber of the subscriber&#39;s home  148 , where the subscriber&#39;s home lies within the same calling area as the caller  134 . The call flow is largely like that depicted in FIG. 7 except that the LEC switch  136  directs the call to LEC switch  146  rather than IEC switch  140 . The billing is like that depicted in FIG. 9 except that the caller is not billed for the call from the subscriber&#39;s location based upon a CDR or IEC switch  140  (see step  214  in FIG.  9 ). 
     While the present invention has been described with a preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the intended scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.