1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for use in a telephone network, the system and method for providing automatic collect messaging for a calling party placing a collect call to a called party where a destination number associated with the called party has restricted access for collect telephone calls.
2. Background
Various telephone service providers offer customers what may be referred to as a collect messaging service. Such a service may be provided for a calling party placing a collect telephone call to a destination number associated with a called party, where the called party is not available to receive the collect call at the time it is placed by the calling party.
More particularly, according to such a service, where a calling party places a collect telephone call to a destination number associated with a called party, and the called party is not then available to receive the collect call, the calling party may be offered the option of recording a message for the called party. According to collect messaging services, such a recorded message is delivered to the called party at a later time. Just as the called party would have been required to accept a charge to receive the collect call had the called party been available at the time the call was placed, with collect messaging, the called party must also accept a charge to receive the message.
However, a destination number may have restricted access for collect calls. That is, such a number or line may be designated as xe2x80x9ccollect restricted,xe2x80x9d such that collect calls to that number or line are blocked. As a result, a caller or calling party cannot complete a collect call to such xe2x80x9ccollect restrictedxe2x80x9d lines or numbers. xe2x80x9cCollect restrictedxe2x80x9d numbers or lines may include, but are not necessarily limited to, business or residential lines where a xe2x80x9ccollect calls blockedxe2x80x9d option has been selected and all mobile telephone lines or numbers.
For such xe2x80x9ccollect restrictedxe2x80x9d lines, when a caller or calling party attempts to place a collect call to such a number, the call is blocked. The calling party""s experience may be summarized as follows:
1. A caller places a collect call to a destination number.
2. The destination number has blocked collect calls (which may be the result of a request for collect call blocking by the business or residential customer associated with that destination number or line, or the fact that the destination number is a mobile number or line).
3. The calling party hears a recorded message that the collect call cannot be completed (for example: xe2x80x9cFor this call, collect billing is not allowedxe2x80x9d).
4. Call terminated.
Thus, the collect call is not completed. This is the result regardless of whether the called party was available at the time the collect call was placed. Collect messaging service is not available for the calling party to record a message for later delivery, as the destination number or line does not accept collect calls. That is, collect messaging only offers the ability to record a collect message for later delivery where the destination number or line is xe2x80x9ccollect eligible.xe2x80x9d Collect messaging is not supported on collect call restricted destination numbers or lines.
As a result, there exists a need for an improved system and method for providing collect messaging. Such a system and method would provide for automatic collect messaging for a calling party placing a collect call to a called party where a destination number associated with the called party has restricted access for collect telephone calls. Such a system and method would provide for recording a message from the calling party for later delivery to the called party. If the called party accepts a charge, the message would be delivered.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a system and method for providing automatic collect messaging for a calling party placing a collect call to a called party where a destination number associated with the called party has restricted access for collect telephone calls.
According to the present invention, then, in a telephone network for use in placing telephone calls to a destination number associated with a called party, the destination number having restricted access for collect telephone calls, a system is disclosed for providing a message to the called party for a collect telephone call from a calling party. The system comprises a messaging platform for use in recording a message from the calling party and a controller in communication with the messaging platform. The controller is for use in notifying the calling party of the restricted access of the destination number for collect telephone calls, providing the calling party with an option for recording a message for the called party, and, if the calling party accepts the option for recording a message, routing the collect telephone call to the messaging platform.
Also according to the present invention, in a telephone network for use in placing telephone calls to a destination number associated with a called party, the destination number having restricted access for collect telephone calls, a method is disclosed for providing a message to the called party of a collect telephone call from a calling party. The method comprises providing a controller, wherein the controller is for use in notifying the calling party of the restricted access of the destination number for collect telephone calls, providing the calling party with an option for recording a message for the called party, and, if the calling party accepts the option for recording a message, providing for recording the message.
Also according to the present invention, in a telephone network for use in placing telephone calls to a destination number associated with a called party, the destination number having restricted access for collect telephone calls, a method is disclosed for providing a message to the called party of a collect telephone call from a calling party. The method comprises notifying the calling party of the restricted access of the destination number for collect telephone calls and providing the calling party with an option for recording a message for the called party. The method further comprises recording a message for delivery to the called party if the calling party accepts the option for recording a message.