Methods and systems for billing and routing local toll-free calls
US6654451B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2215/62
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention routes local toll-free calls dialed to a toll-free number via local switches and network onto interconnecting local providers with local access settlement rates, thereby allowing a local rather than toll cost structure. The invention operates with existing a subscriber's existing toll-free service provider. When an originating number is identified as an LCA or intraLATA call, the invention routes the local toll-free call from the SCP network to participating local switches that service the subscriber's terminating number. The originating calls are separated between the LCA and the rest of the LATA based upon the NPA-NXXs that are considered local to the subscriber's terminating number. The system also provides for routing local toll free calls and for reporting each local toll free call to the subscriber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.