Patent ID: 8208613

Claim:
A telecommunications toll switch system connecting callers with called service sponsors, the telecommunications toll switch system comprising: toll switches forming a network; a shared database computer connected to a toll switch of the toll switches, the shared database computer having a database storing routing plans defining routes connecting the callers to a called service sponsor of the called service sponsors; the shared database computer being programmed to return instructions to the toll switch in response to a query from the toll switch, the query being generated by the toll switch in response to a call from a caller of the callers to the called service sponsor, the query indicating initial route information followed by the call before reaching the toll switch, the instructions indicating a specific route for the call to be implemented by the toll switch in response to the instructions, the initial route information providing an indication of a route followed by the call from the caller to the toll switch, and a routing plan of the routing plans defining alternative routes from which the specific route is selected by the shared database computer in response to the routing plan and the initial route information; and an announcement system connected to the toll switch, the announcement system having a recording indicating that a specified rate is to be applied to the call, the routing plan being such that the specific route is a first route when the initial route information includes an indication that the call was operator-assisted, and the first route being such that the announcement system is controlled to play the recording when the specific route is the first route.