Patent ID: 8228925

Claim:
An interactive voice response system comprising: a protocol interface that is adapted to communicate with a plurality of divergent telecommunications networks for voice communications; a controller that is coupled to the protocol interface to receive a first plurality of common call control messages from the protocol interface and to supply a second plurality of common call control messages to the protocol interface; an online charging interface that is coupled to the controller and is adapted to interface with an online charging system; an offline charging interface that is coupled to the controller and is adapted to interface with an offline charging system; wherein the protocol interface converts control messages from each one of the plurality of divergent telecommunications networks into the first plurality of common call control messages and converts the second plurality of common call control messages into control messages for each one of the plurality of divergent telecommunications networks; and wherein the controller generates the second plurality of common call control messages and receives the first plurality of common call control messages to cause a prompt and collect interaction with a caller that is using a device that is coupled to one of the plurality of divergent telecommunications networks.