38 results about "Toll-Free Telephone Number" patented technology

A phone based loyalty rewards approach is described. The approach focuses on rewarding certain behaviors by maintaining a rewards balance usable for services such as free telephone calls. Users can be awarded some initial value of rewards balance at registration and then can earn additional rewards through their activities. Calls can be placed using voice dialing against a user supplied address book in one embodiment. Additionally, the rewards can be directly integrated with an advanced dial tone service offering and minutes spent on phone calls beyond the then available rewards balance charged to the user. The rewards are designed to encourage behaviors such as full and accurate registrations, regular usage, trying new features, etc.

A portal system for secure, aggregated and centralized management and access of disparate customer service and social networking environments is disclosed. A user interface provides multiple, parameter-based automated service scripts, each configured to utilize customer information. The scripts link to vendor-specific, scenario-specific, and social networking-specific interfaces that have common user interface elements. Shared and dedicated reverse automation gateways are configured to emulate the step-by-step self-service aspects of web sites and interactive voice response systems. The portal system eliminates or reduces inbound toll-free telephone charges for vendor contact centers and additionally links the same to social networking systems.

A method of controlling free phone calls placed from within a secured premises through an institutional phone system generally includes assigning a unique access identifier to an individual caller upon entry into the secured premises; receiving a destination number from the individual caller within the secured premises, the destination number being associated with a telephone located outside the secured premises; determining if the destination number is a per se free number, and, if the destination number is not determined to be a per se free number: receiving the unique access identifier from the individual caller; validating the unique access identifier; and, if the unique access identifier is valid, processing a telephone call to the destination number.

The present invention provides a method for the purchase of goods and / or services, a system therefore and method of conducting business thereby which comprise and / or employ the steps of a caller or would-be purchaser calling a service provider / vendor from a land line or mobile phone device, optionally by way of a toll-free call; determining if the caller is calling from a land line or mobile phone device, and responding accordingly; if it is determined to be a mobile phone device a text or multimedia message being forwarded to the would-be purchaser's mobile phone device relating to the purchase of services and / or goods options and / or terms of procuring services and / or goods; and upon acceptance of the contents of the text or multimedia message, the would-be purchaser or caller is billed or charged a fee which allows the caller's access to telephonic and / or Internet vendor provided services and / or goods for a determined time period.

A calling account recharge system, method, and device are provided. The device has an associated stored-value calling account, and typically includes a selector, a communications program configured to communicate with a recharge service via a communication network, and a recharge option selectable by a user upon actuation of the selector. The recharge option is configured to cause the communications program to initiate a recharge transaction with the recharge service via the communication network, in order to add calling units to the stored-value calling account. The device may be configured to access the communication network via a toll-free gateway.

Enhanced Origination Services (EOS) for Toll Free (TF) telephone calls consists of uploading instructions to the SMS / 800 National Database, which instructions are subsequently downloaded by Signal Control Points (SCPs) in the United States for the routing of TF telephone calls. When a caller dials a TF number, a communication switching device queries the SCP serving the caller's LATA and routes the call according to the EOS instructions for that TF number. EOS instructions route the call to a POTS number in the originating LATA using an intraLATA Carrier Identification Code. The POTS number is connected to a private gateway, which utilizes the Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) of the POTS number to perform a translation function, which may replace the received DNIS with the DNIS of the originally dialed TF number. The call is routed over the private network using the private network owner's database for routing instructions for the specific TF number. The call is routed through a dedicated connection to a facilities-based carrier or called party or through a switched connection to an egress SSP or local CO.

A method and system are provided for use in billing a toll-free telephone call over a telephone network, the telephone call corresponding to a first toll-free telephone number and initiated by a calling party from an initiating telephone number. In one embodiment, a toll-free telephone call is received at a service node, and routed to a first termination corresponding with the first toll-free telephone number, where the service node remains within the call path of the toll-free telephone call. A first call record is initiated for the toll-free telephone call at the service node, and it is determined at the service node whether the toll-free telephone call is to be connected with a second toll-free telephone number. A second call record is initiated at the service node, where a connection with a second termination corresponding with the second toll-free telephone number has been established. In another embodiment, the toll-free telephone call is received at a service node, and a termination is determined for the toll-free telephone call. The toll-free telephone call is routed by the service node to the termination, where the service node remains within the call path of the toll-free telephone call. The service node initiates a call record for the toll-free telephone call, the call record including an indication to bill the toll-free telephone call to a billing toll-free telephone number different from the first toll-free telephone number.

The present invention provides methods and systems for implementing interactive toll-free telephone services by customers remotely communicating with a telephone service provider. The interactive toll-free telephone service can be designed by the customer and implemented by the telephone service provider without the immediate assistance of a salesperson. The methods / systems can be implemented over, e.g., the Internet, an intranet, or through a voice recognition system using the telephone.

Enhanced Origination Services (EOS) for Toll Free (TF) telephone calls consists of uploading instructions to the SMS / 800 National Database, which instructions are subsequently downloaded by Signal Control Points (SCPs) in the United States for the routing of TF telephone calls. When a caller dials a TF number, a communication switching device queries the SCP serving the caller's LATA and routes the call according to the EOS instructions for that TF number. EOS instructions route the call to a POTS number in the originating LATA using an IntraLATA Carrier Identification Code. The POTS number is connected to a private gateway, which utilizes the Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) of the POTS number to perform a translation function, which may replace the received DNIS with the DNIS of the originally dialed TF number. The call is routed over the private network using the private network owner's database for routing instructions for the specific TF number. The call is routed through a dedicated connection to a facilities-based carrier or called party or through a switched connection to an egress SSP or local CO.

Methods and apparatus for brokering services are disclosed. The methods and apparatus described herein provide services to guests of hotels. A services directory is placed in each hotel room. The services directory includes a toll-free telephone number and a plurality of extension numbers. Each extension number is associated with a service that may be of interest to a hotel guest. Each service may be provided by a different business.

An advanced intelligent network (AIN) telephony service permits users of a dedicated access line (DAL) service to place toll free calls over the DAL, even when the long distance network cannot query a national toll free database, such as a national service management system (SMS). A switch in the long distance network, which cannot access the toll free network, receives the toll free call and forwards the toll free call to a switch that can access the national toll free database. In one embodiment, the switch that can access the national toll free database resides in a local exchange carrier (LEC) network. Thus, the DAL subscribers do not have to route toll free calls over local trunks.

The invention provides a system and a method for connecting an out-of-market customer to a desired telephone number. The method comprises receiving a customer validation request from a foreign market provider and, in return, providing a random or designated toll-free telephone number to the foreign market provider. Upon receiving a call request from the foreign market provider, the call request is directed to the desired telephone number. The customer validation request may include the desired telephone number and / or a mobile identification number. The call request is based on the provided toll-free telephone number, which is owned by a home market provider.

A method of controlling free phone calls places from within a secured premises through an institutional phone system generally includes assigning a unique access identifier to an individual caller upon entry into the secured premises; receiving a destination number from the individual caller within the secured premises, the destination number being associated with a telephone located outside the secured premises; determining if the destination number is a per se free number, and, if the destination number is not determined to be a per se free number: receiving the unique access identifier from the individual caller; validating the unique access identifier; and, if the unique access identifier is valid, processing a telephone call to the destination number.

The present invention defines a method and system for identifying and locating a lost person or lost personal property. The invention makes use of a subscription service wherein individuals desiring the locating service may pre-register the individual or property. At registration, the subscribing individual provides personal information relevant to the individual or property to be tracked which is stored in a data base. The subscribing individual is provided a photo identification card, unique to the individual, which includes a toll-free telephone number and unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) imprinted thereon. If the individual or property to be tracked becomes lost or misplaced, the lost individual or members of his family, or the subscribing individual who has lost his property, may call the toll-free number to report the individual or property as lost or misplaced. Through the PIN, an operator receiving the toll-free call may retrieve the individual's personal information or the information concerning the property. The personal information is used to assist law enforcement and emergency personnel in identifying, locating, tracking the individual or property.

A system and method that enables subscribers to transfer the airtime charge for the sending / receiving wireless telephone station to a toll free call provider to / from whom a wireless toll-free telephone call is placed. A communication network in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of portable wireless telephone stations; a plurality of wired telephone stations; a plurality of local exchange carriers (LECs); at least one mobile switching center (MSC) a mobile base antenna tower. Each MSC, LEC and IXC is adapted to operate a program that retrieves billing information associated with wireless airtime from a rating system and then compile the information in a billing statement for a toll free call provider.

System and method for determining whether an incoming call originates from inside or outside of a mobile carriers network. An example system performs a GTT (global title translation) on an incoming number to determine the hosting carrier of any mobile phone number. After the result of the matching determination is made, a message is generated and sent to a caller associated with the call page. The generated message includes any of directory information associated with the subscriber, information associated with cost savings or comparisons associated with in-network calling, information regarding promotions for calling plans, mobile devices or device upgrades, requests to join a network, requests to join a social call plan, information regarding instant savings or call rebates, offers for online services or software, offers for reduced cost or free phone service in exchange for adoption of a predefined product or entering into a social network group.

A dialed universal telephone number is translated into a toll free telephone number corresponding to a telecommunications relay service center in a telecommunications system. When the call is connected to the telecommunications relay service center, information that identifies the caller is reliably forwarded to the telecommunications relay service center.

A system and method of routing both caller-paid and toll-free telephone calls includes a local exchange network and an interexchange network in communication with a call routing processor. The call routing processor receives status information on at least two call service centers and provides routing instructions to both the interexchange and local exchange networks. The method includes the steps of a call controller in a local exchange network communicating with a call routing processor also in communication with an interexchange network, the call controller identifying calls to call service centers and requesting instructions from the call routing processor.

A computer device may include logic configured to receive a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) telephone call and identify the SIP telephone call as originating from a first toll-free telephone number and destined for a second toll-free telephone number. The computer device may further determine a screened telephone number associated with the first toll-free telephone number; generate a diversion header that includes the determined screened telephone number for the SIP telephone call, in response to identifying the SIP telephone call as originating from the first toll-free telephone number and destined for the second toll-free telephone number; and send the SIP telephone call to a local exchange carrier network associated with the second toll-free telephone number.

A system and method for providing automatic voice recognition and voice response product location information in a store while using a personal mobile phone or any phone connected to a telecommunications or data communications network such as and including the Internet and an automatic speech recognition system. The system 403&404 asks a user and / or customer 300 a series of automated questions to help the user and / or customer 300 locate products in stores. In the embodiment of the invention, the user and / or customer 300 only needs to dial the toll free or dial in number 302 from any phone to use the system in order to receive the requested product location information or other available information by the automated response system. This invention creates the product location assistance (PLA) system to be used in locating products in stores, creating new efficiencies in customer service for retailers, businesses and organizations.

A system and method of routing both caller-paid and toll-free telephone calls includes a local exchange network and an interexchange network in communication with a call routing processor. The call routing processor receives status information on at least two call service centers and provides routing instructions to both the interexchange and local exchange networks. The method includes the steps of a call controller in a local exchange network communicating with a call routing processor also in communication with an interexchange network, the call controller identifying calls to call service centers and requesting instructions from the call routing processor.

A telephone network that utilizes the Internet (or a comparable network) to interconnect several VoIP-style phones and at least one operator's phone and that enables one or more of the VoIP-style phones to operate as courtesy phones which are connected through automatically to an operator's phone whenever a courtesy phone go off hook. Data values are maintained that indicate which of the one or more of the several VoIP-style phones are courtesy phones. These indicated courtesy phones are prevented from ringing audibly. INVITE requests are sent across the Internet (or comparable network) to each indicated courtesy phone—these are the type of INVITE requests that normally cause a phone to ring in response to incoming calls, even though in this case there are no incoming calls. When any given indicated courtesy phone returns across the Internet or comparable network a reply to such an INVITE request indicating the given courtesy phone has been taken off hook, a two-way voice communications message channel across the Internet (or comparable network) is established between the given indicated courtesy phone and the operator's phone.

A system and methodology that allows customers to use cell phones, flat fee long distance calling plans or internet calling to obtain sales and service by calling toll free telephone numbers provided by stores or businesses interested in providing these services by telephone. Customers with these calling capabilities are more concerned with minutes used than the telephone number called. Since free long distance calling is usually included in the above plans, it is not advantages for companies to pay the cost of toll free phone calls for these customers. This invention will allow customers with the above calling plans to switch or choose between toll free phone numbers and local phone numbers. Each time a customer chooses or switches from a toll free number to a local number it will save money for the company or business being called.

An Internet-based directory information system for providing toll free telephone numbers and other company information based on product or service advertising. First and second web sites are configured with separate first and second graphic user interfaces for the entering of company information and search request information, respectively. A database correlates entered company information (including toll free telephone number) to advertising information, compares the company-provided advertising information to a search request-provided advertising information, and formulates a search result based on matches between the search request and the company-provided advertising information.

Service user of A country dials a free call in B country through service provider in B country. Then, the phone call is routed from international office in B country to international office in A country. The international office in A country converts the called number as a access code of international account card service, 00, national code of B country and the code of service provider in B country etc. data. International office in A country routes the call to service switch point SSP in A country to trig international account card intelligent service. The service user uses international account card service registered in service provider in A country. The invention does not need to add additional equipment of international service switch point SSP as well as does not need to modify any software used in current SSP so as to save cost. Flexible charging method can be realized by number conversion based on route number.

A calling account recharge system, method, and device are provided. The device has an associated stored-value calling account, and typically includes a selector, a communications program configured to communicate with a recharge service via a communication network, and a recharge option selectable by a user upon actuation of the selector. The recharge option is configured to cause the communications program to initiate a recharge transaction with the recharge service via the communication network, in order to add calling units to the stored-value calling account. The device may be configured to access the communication network via a toll-free gateway.