Abstract:
A telephone call connection architecture is disclosed which establishes a call connection between two parties. A caller at a caller location initiates a call request to an intermediate location over a first communication network requesting a call be connected to a callee at a callee location over a second communication network. The caller location is connected to the callee location over the second communication network in response to the call request being made over the first communication network. In both a call back and call collect scenario, the caller initiates the call request to the intermediate location. However, in a call back situation, the caller is ultimately charged for the call, while in a call collect situation, the callee authorizes charges for the call.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains in general to a method for making a telephone call between two parties and, more particularly, to a method for making a telephone call utilizing a call-back feature from an intermediate point. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When making a call between two parties, the typical approach is to initiate the call at a caller location through a Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) which then effects a connection to a callee location. Once the call is completed, then billing is done through normal channels. Of course, many different techniques can be utilized for selecting the various providers to ensure long distance calls are at the most favorable rates. 
     One disadvantage in completing a call between the caller location and the callee location is that involved with going through providers in locations such as foreign countries. In these situations, outgoing calls from the foreign country are billed through the foreign country&#39;s telecommunications network. These are typically onerous costs. One way to alleviate these problems is to have some type of call-back feature wherein the call is actually originated from a country having more favorable rates, and then the call connected from that country. In these situations, some businessmen actually call their office and have the office call them back at their location to reduce the cost. 
     One type of call-back system that has been automated is that wherein a caller initiates a call from a foreign country to a number in, for example, the United States. This number is typically toll-free number and is often referred to as a direct-inward-dial (DID) phone number. The actual ringing of this number is recognized as being an initiated call from the caller. The caller then hangs up and the called location, recognizing that this was the caller, will then access its database and ring back to the caller&#39;s location. This, of course, requires setting this up prior to leaving the country. The caller will then have a connection made between an intermediate point in the United States (US) and their location in the foreign country which call was originated from the US, thus incurring more favorable rates. The calling party then enters a personal identification number (PIN) and the number of callee party to allow a connection therebetween. However, this system is limiting in that the caller must pre-configure the system to their location and does not have latitude to move about a foreign country. This system also does allow the calling party to dial a toll-free access number and enter information as to their phone number for a call-back feature which then allows the user to be connection to an intermediate point in the US, and then input various PIN numbers and as such. However, this, again requires a telephone call to be initiated and completed from outside the country to the US and then some action to call back the calling party. 
     In addition to the call-back feature, there are also features provided in the form of collect calls which we term “call collect” for the purpose of this application. These involve situations wherein the party outside the country desires to place a collect call to a callee or even from within the same country. These, again, typically incur onerous costs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed and claimed herein is a method and system of establishing a call between two parties. A call request is initiated by a caller at a caller location over a first communication network to an intermediate location. The call request seeks to cause a call to be connected between caller at a caller location and a callee at a callee location over a second communication network. The call is connected to the caller location over the second communication network, and then in response to connecting to the caller location, the callee location and the caller location are connected over the second communication network. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a method and system for establishing a call between two parties is disclosed wherein a call request is initiated by a caller at a caller location over a first communication network to an intermediate location. The call request seeks to cause a call to be connected to a callee at a callee location over a second communication network. The call is connected to the caller location over the second communication network. A confirmation is requested from the callee location in order that a connection between the caller location and the callee location be authorized. In response to receiving the confirmation from the callee location, a connection is made between the callee location and the caller location over the second communication network. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a prior art system for placing a call between two locations, a caller location and a callee location; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart depicting a prior art system for utilizing a long distance carrier switch and a pre-paid calling card; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an overall block diagram for the system associated with the present disclosure wherein a calling party can effect a call to a callee utilizing different features such as a pre-paid calling card, a call back feature and a call collect feature; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a more detailed block diagram of an enhanced service platform; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart depicting the call back feature of the present disclosure; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a diagrammatic view of the web page presented to the caller when utilizing the call back feature; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart depicting a call collect feature; and 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a diagrammatic view of the screen for the call collect feature returned by the web server to the caller PC. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a block diagram depicting a prior art system for placing a call between two locations, a caller location  100  and a callee location  106 , both represented by a handset. Typically, the caller location  100  will initiate the call through a PSTN  102  utilizing a long distance carrier switch (LDCS)  104 . This switch  104  will then make a connection to a PSTN  103  associated with the callee location  106 . Therefore, the call is initiated by placing a call through the PSTN  102  through the switch  104  to the callee PSTN  103  to complete the call to the calling location  106 . This is a typical system which basically incurs the costs associated with the long distance provider that controls the switch  104 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a flowchart depicting a prior art system for utilizing a long distance carrier switch  104  and a pre-paid calling card. This program is initiated at a start block  200  then proceeds to a block  202  wherein the customer buys a pre-paid calling card. The program then flows to a function block  204  wherein the customer utilizes their pre-paid calling card function which first requires the LDCS  104  to be called utilizing a toll-free number, which toll-free number is typically found on the back of the pre-paid card. Once the customer (also known as a caller) is connected, he or she will then enter a personal identification number (PIN), as represented by function block  206 . Then program then flows to a decision block  208  wherein the system determines whether this is a valid PIN. If not, the program will flow along the “N” path back to a decision block  210  to determine if the number of logins has been exceeded. Typically, those systems will only allow so many tries at inputting a PIN. If the number of logins has been exceeded, the program will flow along the “Y” path to a function block  212  to notify the caller that such a situation has occurred and then a disconnect will occur. However, until they exceed the number of logins, the program will flow along the “N” path back to the input of the function block  206 . 
     Once the valid PIN has been input, the program will flow along the “Y” path of decision block  208  to a function block  214 , wherein the caller is prompted to enter the callee phone number. The program then flows to a function block  216  wherein the call is connected between the callee and the caller over the various PSTNs ( 102  and  103 ) and the card providers LDCS  104 . The program will then flow from function block  216  to a decision block  218  to determine if the call has ended. If not, the program will loop back along the “N” path to the input of function block  216  to maintain the connection. When the call has ended, the program will flow along the “Y” path to a function block  220  to basically deduct call time from the caller&#39;s account and then to a stop block  222 , where the program will end. Typically, the PIN will identify the caller and their calling card which has an account at the business office of the long distance provider. This is particularly utilized to maintain an account as to the time remaining on the calling card. Of course, the caller only has a limited amount of time on their card. This may be indicated to the caller when they enter their PIN number such that they have knowledge of the amount of time left on their card. When this time is close to expiring, some type of prompt will be interspersed into the call to the calling party to indicate that their call is about to be terminated. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an overall block diagram for the system associated with the present disclosure wherein a calling party can effect a call to a callee utilizing different features such as a pre-paid calling card, a call-back feature and a call collect feature, all of which will be described in more detail hereinbelow. The caller at the caller location  100  is again connected to their PSTN  102 . At the other end, the callee location  106  is interfaced through the associated PSTN  103 . Of course, it should be understood that the PSTN  102  and the PSTN  103  could be the same PSTN as this refers to an overall network. However, the purpose for segregating this is for the purpose of discussion herein, in that there may be a different telephone that works in different countries and there may be different regions of the country associated therewith. 
     There is provided in the present disclosure an enhance services platform (ESP)  302 , which ESP  302  provides various functions such as messaging and switching, the ESP  302  including therein a conventional cross-connect switch. The ESP  302  is operable to interface with a long distance carrier service (LDCS)  304  which LDCS  304  represents any of multiple long distance carrier providers. This could be associated with a provider of the caller  100  or the callee  106  or it could be one selected by the ESP  302 . In any event, the ESP  302  is operable to provide two connections, one for the caller location  100 , associated with interconnection  306  and one associated with the callee location  106 , at interconnection  308 . As will be described in greater detail hereinbelow, the ESP  302  is operable to interconnect with both of the locations  100  and  106  and then connect those two calls together. 
     The ESP  302  is also interconnected with a global communication network  310  (GCN). This is facilitated through a gateway  312 , which gateway  312  provides multiple connections between the GCN  310  and the ESP  302 . As will be described hereinbelow, the GCN  310  can be utilized for what is referred to as Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP). This is a method wherein a voice connection can be facilitated over the GCN  310 . 
     In order to provide for the VoIP connection, the caller location  100  has associated therewith a gateway  316  which is connected between the PSTN  102  of the caller location  100  and the GCN  310 , and there is also provided a gateway  318  gateways  312 ,  316  and  318  comprise equipment operable for connecting between a high speed-digital access and-a digital network interface. Typically, the digital network interface will then be interfaced with the ESP  302  through a compression/decompression (CODEC) device (not shown). These gateways  312 ,  316  and  318  are conventional; they merely provide a way to utilize a digital network, the GCN  310 , to effect a voice interface between the associated PSTNs. However, the ESP  302  has two options, the first option being use of the LDCS  304  to effect a call or the GCN  310 . This will be a function of the least cost routing typically utilized by the ESP  302 , this being a conventional operation. 
     In addition to allowing for a voice connect between two parties, the ESP  302  can also interface with the GCN  310  directly through an interface  320  which is comprised of some type of high speed modem or router, or it can be interfaced through a web server  322 . The web server  322  is operable to provide various informational services to users on the network and is interfaced thereto through an interface  324 . The web server  322  is interconnected through a network connection  326  to the ESP  302 . In general, as will be described hereinbelow, the web server  322  will allow a user to interface with various services at the vendor&#39;s web server site  322  to provide messages and various other informational aspects. 
     In addition to the web server  322  providing information through the GCN  310 , the caller has associated therewith a PC  328  which is interfaced to the GCN  310  through an interface  330 . This can be a modem for a low speed data link, or a higher speed modem utilizing digital high speed interfaces to the GCN  310 . Typically, when utilizing a high speed connection, the interface  330  will comprise a modem that interfaces through the PSTN  102  via a digital link or even an analog link to an Internet service provider (ISP) (not shown) that then provides a digital link to the GCN  310  to various conventional back bones. This, again, is conventional. It is only noted that the caller can access the vendor web server  322  through the GCN  310  and extract an interface therewith, as will be described hereinbelow. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a more detailed block diagram of the ESP  302 . Generally, the ESP  302  consists primarily of a cross-connect switch  400 . This cross-connect switch  400  is operable to provide call connections to the circuit-switched public telephone system through either a set of PSTN/LDCS interconnects  404  or to the packet-switched system GCN  310  through a network interface  406 . This network interface  406  basically consists of the gateway  312  and interconnects thereto. This, of course, will require two connections, one for the connection to the caller location  100  and one for the connection to the callee location  106 . The switch  400  is controlled by a processing unit  410  which is interfaced to various databases. There is a messaging database  412  which allows pre-defined messages to be sent to the switch  400 . Additionally, there will be a least-cost routing (LCR) table database  414  which provides the various algorithms to be utilized by the CPU  410  when determining which LDCS  304  to utilize. In this mode, the switch  400  is controlled, such that a connection is made to the local PSTN and to the LDCS therethrough. This is facilitated by generating the correct calling string through one of the two interconnect ports  404 . 
     The same situation would occur when directing the call to another party. Once the two parties are connected, this determined by the CPU  410 , then the two ports can be connected together. The selection of the LDCS and the location is determined through the use of the LCR database  414  and the locations of the caller and callee. There is also provided a user database  416  to allow the CPU  410  to verify a particular user. The CPU  410  is also connected to a local network, such as an Ethernet line  420  to allow access to web server  322 , this Ethernet  420  is similar to the connection  326 . Therefore, there is provided a separate data path to provide the caller location  100 , user ID, and callee location  106  to the CPU  410 . The CPU  410  need only then control the switch  400  to connect the calls to the appropriate parties, in the matter described hereinbelow. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a flowchart depicting the call back feature of the present disclosure. As described herein, basically, the call back feature allows a user the ability to override the costs involved with a particular local carrier. As an example, if a caller is trying to complete a call from a country such as Mexico to the US, presents systems require the caller to utilize the telephone system of Mexico to complete that call. Of course, the charges would be relatively onerous. With the system of the present disclosure, the caller is able to connect toll-free to an intermediate location, the ESP  302 , to place a call request. This is facilitated through a data network. The caller will then wait by the phone, which phone number has been provided by the ESP  302 , and then wait the ESP to make the various connections. The ESP  302  is located in a particular location and has access to lower cost routing systems for the phone call. Therefore, the callee can be connected to a low cost system and then the caller contacted and connected to the callee, all through lower cost systems than that available to the caller from, for example, Mexico. 
     Referring further to FIG. 5, the flowchart is initiated at a block  500  and then proceeds to a block  502  to access the vendor web page through the caller&#39;s PC  328 . This will provide the caller with a number of options. In the call back feature, this will provide the caller with the ability to purchase a pre-paid virtual calling card. In general, a virtual calling card is nothing more than an account that resides at the vendor&#39;s site that is associated with a particular user. This account is debited for any services that are provided by the vendor. In this matter, all that is needed is some type of identification, such as a Personal Identification Number, or PIN. 
     The first decision the caller must make is whether there is already an existing account. This is determined at a decision block  504 , wherein the users determine whether they have an existing virtual card. If not, the program will flow along the “N” path to a function block  506  wherein the user will purchase the prepaid virtual calling card. This is facilitated by the user entering credit card information, billing information phone, number, e-mail, etc. In the purchase operation illustrated in function block  506 , all the information entered into the viewable screen will then be submitted to the vendor, this facilitated by selecting a location of the screen such that this information is communicated back to the vendor web server  322 . This will then be processed by the vendor web server  322  and a PIN generated, a user profile generated for storage in the user database  416  and then the credit card will verified. Once the credit card is verified, the PIN is generated and the user updated into the user database  416 , the PIN is returned to the screen of the caller or user. 
     For the situation where there is an existing virtual calling card, the program will flow along the “Y” path from decision block  504  to function block  508 . In function block  508 , the user is provided with a particular field within which to enter the phone number of the caller, i.e., the location that the caller will be in order to answer an incoming phone call, the call-back phone call. The program then flows to function block  510  wherein the phone number of the callee is entered. The program will then flow to function block  512  wherein the PIN of the user will be entered. Once this PIN number is entered, then this information is submitted to the web server  322 , as indicated by function block  514 . Once the information is transmitted to the web server  322 , a confirmation is then returned including account balance and other information and also indicating that this call is being processed and that they should disconnect their modem if their modem is utilizing the same line. The user will then disconnect the data connection with the web server, although this is not necessary where the user has more than one phone line. However, typically the user has only one phone line necessitating the caller to disconnect from the web server  322  in order for the call to be returned to the caller location  100 . 
     Once the information is sent to the web server  322 , the web server  322  then transmits this information to the ESP  302 , as indicated by a function block  516 . The program will then flow to a function block  518 , wherein the ESP  302  will initiate a call to the caller, i.e., it will call the number that the caller entered into the caller&#39;s phone number field in the web server screen. The program will then flow to a decision block  520  to determine if the caller has answered their phone. If not, the program will flow to a function block  522  wherein the call be indicated as failing. Of course, at this time, there is no connection to the caller and no identification can be provided to the caller. Although not discussed in the flowchart, it is possible that the data connection can be maintained to the caller over the PC  328  and the network interconnection therewith such that update or status information about the call can be provided to the caller. Further, the caller could be provided with a transaction number that could be checked by the caller contacting the vendor. Further, since the e-mail of the caller is known, this information could be forwarded via an e-mail to the caller. Once it is determined that the caller has answered the phone, i.e., the caller is available, the program will flow from the decision block  520  to a function block  524  wherein a message will be provided to the caller, after answering, that their call is being processed. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation noted in function block  510  wherein the caller leaves the callee&#39;s phone number is replaced by an optional operation represented in a function block  523 , which allows the caller to enter the callee&#39;s phone number after the call has been placed back to the caller in function block  518 , once the caller has been denoted as being available, then the caller is prompted by the system to enter the callee&#39;s phone number. This is typically facilitated through the use of the keypad on the telephone. Therefore, the program will move directly out of the decision block  520  if the callee&#39;s phone number was entered in function block  510  or will flow out of the function block  523  if the optional operation noted herein is utilized. The program will then flow to a function block  526  wherein a call will be initiated to the callee. Of course, the functions in function blocks  524  and  526  are carried out in parallel. The program will then flow to a decision block  528  to determine if the callee is available, i.e., whether their phone is in an on-hook condition. If not, then the program will flow to a function block  530  indicating that the call has failed, and then return a message to the caller in a function block  532  indicating that the call has failed and the callee has not answered the phone or that the phone is busy. Both conditions could be met once the caller has answered, then the program will then flow along the “Y” path from decision block  528  to a function block  534  to then connect the caller and the callee. The program will then flow to a stop block  536 . 
     When making a call to the callee, if the phone number of the callee is correct, the system then makes a determination as to whether it has been properly answered. This is due to the fact that there are a number of ways in which the call can be connected. The first method is merely ringing the number and doing nothing more. In this case, it is possible that the caller be connected directly to the callee&#39;s phone line such that the caller can listen to the ring, and in the event of a busy signal or disconnect prior to an off-hook condition, there will be no billing. Any number of ways could be utilized. This situation also occurs with respect to initiating the call to the caller. For example, it may be that the caller is in a hotel room. This would require the system to not only call the location number, but it would require the audible request for a room number or an individual&#39;s room. In this situation, the connection would be more complex and would require some type of processing system to process the call. 
     With the use of the call-back feature, it can be seen that the request was sent over a packet-switch data network such as that associated with the GCN  310  and then the ESP  302  allows the call and makes the connection utilizing a different and separate circuit-switched connection. Of course, the GCN  310  is typically a toll-free network, where as the LDCS  304  utilized by the ESP  302  would be a toll network. Alternatively, although a fee would be charged by the vendor, the ESP  302  could make the interconnection to the GCN  310  via gateway  312 , gateway  316 , and gateway  318  for a VoIP connection. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a diagrammatic view of the web page presented to the caller when utilizing the call-back feature. Basically, the window illustrates a number of fields. There is provided a call back card graphic  600  comprising a field  602  for entering a call-back phone number, a field  604  for entering the destination number, and a field  606  for entering the PIN. In the event that there is no PIN, the reader can scroll down the screen (not shown) to obtain fields associated with credit card information for generating the billing information. This can then be submitted to the vendor for return of the PIN number. In the event that there is a PIN as provided by prior registration, the user will not be required to enter credit card or other personal information. 
     Once the information has been placed into the fields, then the user can select a location  608  associated with a call feature to submit the information to place the call. This can be canceled also with the use of a field  610  in the selection thereof. In addition, after the call has been made, there is provided an activity monitor wherein a user can be provided information as to the status of their call, this field represented by a referenced numeral  614 . This is not necessarily required and it is an alternative. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a flowchart depicting a call collect feature. The call collect feature is that which allows a user to implement a collect call utilizing a data network for the request. In general, the request is made over the data network to the vendor server  322  by providing the caller&#39;s phone number. This system will then effect a call to the caller over the lowest cost route and then connect to the callee through an Operator Service Provider (OSP) or Automated Call Server (ACS) and inform the callee that a request for a collect call has been made from the vendor&#39;s network, and request approval. If the callee authorizes or approves the collect call, they will enter a certain sequence of digits and then the system will connect the call. The system will then bill the callee the cost of the call at a premium determined by the vendor. 
     Referring further to FIG. 7, the program initiated at a block  700  and then proceeds to function block  702  wherein the vendor&#39;s web page is accessed. The program then flows to a function block  704  wherein the call collect option is selected from the vendor&#39;s web page and submitted to the vendor&#39;s web server  322 , this all effected over the digital link through the GCN  310 . The program then flows to a decision block  706  to determined if the caller has previously registered for a PIN. If so, flow is along the “Y” path and jumps forward to a function block  712  where the caller enters the his or her phone number. On the other hand, if the caller has not previously registered for a PIN, flow is out the “N” path to a function block  708  wherein information regarding a free PIN will be entered. This information will then be transmitted to the web server  322  and the PIN returned, as indicated by the function block  710 . Once the PIN is returned, the program will flow to a function block  712  wherein a screen will be presented to a caller to enter the caller&#39;s phone number, i.e., location where the caller can be reached, and then to a function block  714  wherein the PIN will be entered. The program will then flow to a function block  716  wherein this information will be transmitted to the web server  322 . At this time, a screen can be returned to the caller at their PC  328  over their GCN  310  indicating that the call is being processed and that they should disconnect their modem if their modem is utilizing the same line. 
     Once the web server  322  has received the information, the program will flow to a function block  718  wherein this information will be transmitted to the ESP  302  from the web server  322 . The ESP  302  will then initiate a call-back to the caller, as indicated by a function block  720 . At this point, the ESP  302  will connect the call to an Operator Service Provider (OSP) such that a live operator is provided, or to an Automated Call Server (ACS), as indicated by function block  722 . The program will then flow to a function block  724  wherein the OSP or ACS will then prompt the caller for the callee&#39;s phone number. This is utilized to effect the call to the callee. Alternatively, it is possible that the caller could input the callee&#39;s phone number and the call be automatically connected utilizing an ACS. However, with the present system, it is facilitated through the use of an OSP. 
     Once the caller has been connected to the OSP or ACS and has entered the callee&#39;s phone number, the program will flow to a function block  726  to receive the callee&#39;s phone number from the caller and then to a function block  728  wherein the OSP or ACS calls the callee. The OSP or ACS will then provide a message to the callee, as indicated by function block  730  that a collect call is being placed by either the particular vendor system or even provide the callee a name. The program will flow to a decision block  730  to determine if the caller has accepted. Typically, the callee will either orally indicate to the OSP that the call will not be accepted, or with use of the ACS system, depress a certain key on the handset keypad to accept or not to accept. If it is not accepted, the program will then flow along the “N” path to a function block  734  to notify the caller that it has not been accepted and then to a disconnect block  736 . If accepted, the program will flow along a “Y” path from the decision block  732  to a function block  738  to connect the caller to the callee, and then to a function block  740  wherein the call will be charged to the callee. The program then flows to a stop block  742 . 
     It can be seen that with a call collect feature, a data connection can be utilized through a first network to provide information to a switching node of a request to place a collect call. Thereafter, the caller will be called at the noted location received over the data network, a connection implemented therewith and then a collect call processed to the callee&#39;s phone number. This allows the use of a data network to bypass any local call or even alleviate the need to utilize some type of toll-free number to initiate the call. Through the use of a data network, this always circumvents the problem of calling through a phone system that has onerous charges for even a standard toll-free phone call. For example, if one were calling from Mexico, it would be necessary to go through the Mexican telephone system in order to get to the U.S. telephone system to place a toll-free call. 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a diagrammatic view of the screen for the call collect feature returned by the web server  322 . There are provided a number of fields for use by the caller. There is provided a call collect card graphic  800  having a field  802  for receiving the phone number of the calling party, a field  804  for the called party, i.e., phone number of the callee, and a field  806  for the PIN. This is all contained within graphic  800 . Of course, if the OSP is utilized, the calling party&#39;s number need not be entered. Once all this information is entered, a field  808  allows the caller to transmit the information to the web server  322 , or alternatively, a field  810  allows the caller to terminate the call request. In addition, after the call has been made, there is provided an activity monitor wherein a user can be provided information as to the status of their call, this field represented by a referenced numeral  614 . This is not necessarily required and it is an alternative. In addition, after the call has been made, there is provided an activity monitor wherein the caller can be provided information as to the status of their call, this field represented by a referenced numeral  812 . This is not necessarily required and it is an alternative. 
     It can be appreciated that a user may also purchase a virtual pre-paid calling card for use other than call back or call collect. Purchase of the virtual pre-paid calling card may be accomplished by methods similar to the purchase of a call back or call collect card where credit information is entered in order to obtain a card having a fixed value. When the value of the card is expended, the user may simply recharge the card, or purchase a new one. However, the web server  322 , instead of sending information to the ESP  302  for call initiation, returns a toll-free access phone number and a PIN to the web page displayed on the PC  328  user. The user may then print the web page and retain the information for future use. The caller uses the virtual pre-paid card information in the conventional sense by calling the ESP  302  and entering the PIN and the phone number of the callee. The ESP then verifies the PIN according to the user database  416 , provides messaging to the caller as to how much time remains on the calling card, and places the call. 
     Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.