Patent ID: 7809120

Claim:
A method for providing operator type calls from a public telephone to increase the number of calls that are completed successfully, the method consisting essentially of the steps of: contacting a telecommunication service provider providing the operator type calls by a caller using a toll free telephone number to the telecommunication service provider or using a telephone that connects directly to the telecommunication service provider; selecting one of the operator assisted call types selected from a group consisting of collect call, calling card, credit card, third-party call or person-to-person call operator assisted call; selecting a payer option for the operator assisted call to be paid for by the caller or a called party; providing call payment options to the said caller according to the operator assisted call type selected when payment is by the caller; selecting one of said call payment options as credit card, debit card and cash when payment is by the caller; entering the credit card number and expiration date or debit card and personal identification number by caller if the payment option is one of a caller credit or debit card; entering a destination telephone number for a called party if the payment is authorized or the call type is collect call; providing the caller with an option to receive a rate quote; providing the rate quote upon request after receiving the destination telephone number to the caller by the telecommunication service provider when the rate quote option is selected; contacting the called party if the payment option is the collect call; notifying the called party that they have a collect call; providing the called party with the payment option of credit card or debit card to avoid collect call charges billed on the called parties monthly statement if the caller accepts the collect call; providing the called party with the option for a rate quote; providing the rate quote to the called party when the rate quote option is selected; selecting one of said call payment options as credit card and debit card when payment is by the called party; entering the credit or debit card information by called party if the payment option is one of a called party credit or debit card; connecting said called party and said caller if the call payment is authorized; charging the one of the caller and the called party for the operator assisted call type telephone call; and notifying the caller if the payment option to the caller was not selected by the called party and if the authorization was not received; prompting the caller to select a different payment option if the called party refuses to accept the charges; selecting one of said call payment options as credit card, debit card and cash when payment is by the caller; providing the caller with the option of entering a different destination telephone number if the called party refuses to accept the charges; and repeating the step following the entering a new destination step if a new destination telephone number is entered.