At&t Bell Laboratories

American Telephone & Telegraph Co., At&t Bell Laboratories

Chun P Tam

Thomas Michael Bauer

Thomas A Dunn

Richard J Basso

Ross M Richardson

Edward P Kolasa

Randall S Hansen

Mark L Reynolds

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for communication between an operator or agent position and a switching system and databases. The position includes a display screen and keyboard. Data for controlling a plurality of displays for the screen is stored in the switching system. In response to an operator's logging into the system, the position is connected to a plurality of databases by switched virtual channels, carried over the data channel of an ISDN connection from the position to the switch, and via switched virtual channels to the databases. A special section of the screen is devoted to parameters which are automatically transferred from one display to another whenever a new display is requested. When an operator wishes to set up a call, the call will be set up in accordance with the latest version of the parameters, whether or not the operator requests a display of a call control screen. Advantageously, operator time is saved because the operator need not re-request a call control screen prior to requesting a call control operation.

Telephone operator and agent to database communication arrangement

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. The record along with others is forwarded to a revenue accounting office where a billing system sorts the AMA records by subaccount billing numbers and prepares a billing statement with the details of each call listed for each subaccount billing number assigned by the customer.

Communication services method and apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Naperville, IL, United States of America

Chun P Tam