Inventors:
Thomas M. Bauer - Bellemead NJ
Thomas A. Dunn - Edison NJ
Ross M. Richardson - Sea Bright NJ
Chun P. Tam - Naperville IL
Assignee:
American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ
International Classification:
H04M 342
H04M 1512
Abstract:
Apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a non-presubscription subaccount billing service utilized by customers on a "per call" or "as needed" basis. A calling customer initiates the service by dialing "0" plus the directory number of the called line. The local office serving the calling line recognizes the call as an operator-designated call and forwards the call along with the identification number of the calling line and the directory number of the called line to an operator system. The operator system prompts the calling line to enter additional call information. The calling customer enters a service activation code such as "15" and a two-digit subaccount billing number assigned by the customer. Receiving the service activation code and the subaccount billing number, the operator system activates the service by setting a subaccount billing indicator in an automatic message accounting record and extends the call to the called line. Upon completion of the call, the operator system includes the connect time, elapsed time, calling line identification number, called line directory number, and subaccount billing number for the call into the AMA record.
