At+t Corp.

Stephen M Kocan

Thomas A Dunn

Michael W Funk

Brenda B Amarant

Richard L Mansdoerfer, Jr

Mark C Pollman

Kari O'Connell

Ilane L Mathews

Ronald B Potter

Erik N Breden

Russell D Morgan

Increased network security is provided in accordance with the invention by using information obtained from the signaling network to determine whether a call has been forwarded, and then using this information to make a determination as to appropriate further call processing, to minimize a communications company's exposure to call forwarding fraud. A determination of whether a call is a forwarded call can be made on the basis of a call forwarding indicator provided by another portion of the communications network. Where such an indicator is unavailable, a determination of whether a call is a forwarded call can be made by comparing the telephone number dialed to originate the call with the telephone number (the 'connect number') associated with the telephone station to which the call has been forwarded. When the dialed number and the connect number differ, the call is determined to be a forwarded call.

Method for processing forwarded telephone calls

A system for completing air-to-ground telephone calls is arranged so that a call originating from an aircraft is received in a ground station and directed to a special purpose platform disposed in the land-based telecommunications network. The platform, which may be implemented as an interactive voice response system, includes the capability to interact with the caller by (a) collecting billing information, which may be a commercial credit card or a telephone calling card, or other billing mechanism which can be initiated by a request for connection to a telephone operator; (b) validating credit cards and telephone calling cards by initiating a query and receiving a response from elements in the telecommunications network or from an external database; (c) providing auxiliary features such as block calling, free calls, speed dialing, sequence calling, etc.; and (d) depending upon the type of call involved, completing the call as either a traditional 1+long distance call, or as a 0+(e.g., operator assisted) call. After completion of each call, an automated message accounting (AMA) billing record is created and transmitted to the network, for bill processing.

System for completing air-to-ground telephone calls

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Fairfield, NJ, United States of America

Stephen M Kocan