Facility modem-to-modem application

Abstract

The present invention comprises a 900 modem to modem application using the AT&T MultiQuest® Vari-A-Bill® feature designed in an effort to enhance an existing “charge free” medical credentials verification service. In accordance with the present invention, the calling party is simply required to dial a 1-900-NXX-XXXX telephone number from their computer terminal, whereby they are prompted to select the desired service(s) from a menu, and based on their menu selection(s), the appropriate charge(s) will be billed to the calling party's telephone bill. This novel invention allows the general public, hospitals and other institutions to quickly and efficiently obtain medical credential information from the convenience of their own computers.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of processing a call between calling and called parties in a communications network comprising a network switch, wherein said network switch provides a plurality of different communications services, and wherein said method comprises the steps of: 
 originating said call and associated call information at said network switch;    receiving said call;    identifying said associated call information at a network service processor for implementing a service associated with said communications network and providing said associated call information to said network service processor; and    processing said call in response to said associated call information.    
     
     
         2 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 1 , wherein said network switch forwards said call to a computer database and outdials to a modem at said computer database.  
     
     
         3 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 2 , wherein said outdialing transmits said associated call information to said remote bulletin board service.  
     
     
         4 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 1 , wherein said calling party selects the desired service.  
     
     
         5 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 4 , wherein said calling party is billed for said service.  
     
     
         6 . A method of processing a call between calling and called parties in a communications network comprising the steps of: 
 placing a call;    routing said call;    a first outdialing of said call via a first modem through a switching facility, wherein said first outdialing sends said call to a remote bulletin board service; and    a second outdialing to said remote bulletin board service using a second modem, wherein said second outdialing via said second modem sends billing data into the telephone circuit used by the calling party which sends said billing data to be stored in a billing record.    
     
     
         7 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 6 , wherein said call is originated at a computer.  
     
     
         8 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 6 , wherein said calling party selects the desired service.  
     
     
         9 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 8 , wherein said calling party is billed for said service.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for a telecommunications system comprising: 
 a terminal;    a first modem;    a monitoring program associated with said terminal;    a second modem;    a first telephone circuit connected to said first modem for receiving incoming calls; and    a plurality of additional telephone circuits for connecting a plurality of said calling parties with a remote bulletin board service via a switch facility.    
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said second modem transmits billing data.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said telecommunications system further comprises a network switching facility.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said network switching facility connects said additional telephone circuits with said remote bulletin board service.  
     
     
         14 . A method of processing a call between calling and called parties in a communications network comprising the steps of: 
 placing a call via a first modem;    routing said call through an Integrated Services Digital Network center to a local switch center;    communicating said call with a remote bulletin board service, said communicating comprising: 
 a customized monitoring program;  
 a second modem for transmitting billing data;  
 a first telephone circuit connected to said first modem for receiving incoming calls; and  
 a plurality of telephone circuits connected to said local switch center and said remote bulletin board service.  
   
     
     
         15 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 14 , wherein said switch center forwards said call to a computer database and outdials to said second modem at said computer database.  
     
     
         16 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 15 , wherein said outdialing transmits said associated call information to said remote bulletin board service.  
     
     
         17 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 14 , wherein said calling party selects the desired service.  
     
     
         18 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 17 , wherein said calling party is billed for said service.  
     
     
         19 . A method of processing a call between calling and called parties in a telecommunications network, said method comprising the steps of: 
 originating said call and associated call information at a network switch, wherein said network switch provides a plurality of different communications services and associated features, and wherein said calling and called parties subscribe to said communications services;    receiving said call and said associated call information;    identifying, as a function of said associated call information, a first and second network service processors operative for implementing said first and second services, respectively, in said network and passing said associated call information to said first and second processors, such that said first and second processors cooperate with one another to implement said communications services and said associated features within said telecommunications network on behalf of said calling and called parties; and    selecting, as a function of said associated call information, one of said first and second processors to control the processing of said call.    
     
     
         20 . A method of processing a call according to  claim 19 , wherein said calling party selects the desired service.  
     
     
         21 . A method of processing a call according to claim  20 , wherein said calling party is billed for said service.