EP1040682A1

EP1040682A1 - Account calling card service for an advanced intelligent network

Info

Publication number: EP1040682A1
Application number: EP98964817A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tasvir Shah; Jeffrey D. Copley; Kishore D. Sadani
Original assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing Inc
Current assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing Inc
Priority date: 1997-12-18
Filing date: 1998-12-18
Publication date: 2000-10-04
Also published as: AU2005699A; WO1999031901A1

Abstract

An account calling card service includes the steps of receiving, at a service switching point, a telephone number entered by a caller, and verifying, at a service control point coupled to the service switching point, the received telephone number as an account calling card service access telephone number. Further prompting the caller, by an intelligent peripheral, for a calling card number, and receiving, at the service switching point, a first set of multi-digit number entered by the caller. The service control point then verifies that the received first set of multi-digit number is a valid calling card number associated with a pre-established account. The intelligent peripheral then prompts the caller for a destination number in response to the received first set of multi-digit number being verified as a valid account calling card number. The caller enters a destination number, and the call is completed to the destination number. Charges associated with the completed call are billed to the pre-established account.

Description

ACCOUNT CALLING CARD SERVICE FOR AN ADVANCED INTELLIGENT NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related in general to the field of telecommunications. More particularly, the invention is related to an account calling card service for an advanced intelligent network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the advent of the advanced intelligent network (AIN) , it has become possible to rapidly design and introduce many new enhanced telecommunications services that provide added flexibility and convenience in how we use our telephone equipment.

The advanced intelligent network typically includes switches or service switching points (SSPs) coupled to signal transfer points (STPs) , which are in turn coupled to service control points (SCPs) . The interconnections between service switching points and service control points employ the signaling system number 7 or SS7 protocol for sending query messages associated with the execution of services. The service control points executes service logic programs which define the services and further store and maintain databases that have data associated with the services. The service control points are further coupled to a service management system (SMS) , which supports the operations, administrations, management, and provisioning (OAM&P) needs of the network. The advanced intelligent network further includes intelligent peripherals, which are coupled to service switching points and the service management system, and provide pre-recorded voice announcements, voice synthesis, and other functionalities that generally facilitate interaction with service subscribers and customers. The connection between the service management system and other network nodes is typically via X.25 links. In the advanced intelligent network, telecommunications services are typically defined in a service creation environment (SCE) node by the service provider and then relayed to the service management system, which disseminates the service logic programs to the rest of the network for execution.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and other standard setting bodies have promulgated recommendations and requirements for advanced intelligent network services. One service is the account calling card service, which basically allows a service provider to issue a calling card number to a service subscriber that he/she may use to place calls. The charges associated with the calls are then charged to a pre-established account. However, these standards do not spell out how this service is to be implemented and the specific service features that support this service.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is a need for an advanced intelligent network service that enables callers to charge toll calls to a pre-established calling account.

In accordance with the present invention, an account calling card service is provided which eliminates or substantially reduces the disadvantages associated with prior implementations. In one aspect of the invention, an account calling card service includes the steps of receiving, at a service switching point, a telephone number entered by a caller, and verifying, at a service control point coupled to the service switching point, the received telephone number as an account calling card service access telephone number. Further prompting the caller, by an intelligent peripheral, for a calling card number, and receiving, at the service switching point, a first set of multi-digit number entered by the caller. The service control point then verifies that the received first set of multi-digit number is a valid calling card number associated with a pre-established account. The intelligent peripheral then prompts the caller for a destination number in response to the received first set of multi-digit number being verified as a valid account calling card number. The caller enters a destination number, and the call is completed to the destination number. Charges associated with the completed call are billed to the pre-established account.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of an intelligent network or advanced intelligent network according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a message flow diagram of an embodiment of the process of accessing the account calling card service according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a flowchart diagram of an embodiment of the process of accessing the account calling card service according to the teachings of the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a message flow diagram of an embodiment of the process of collecting the calling card identification and personal identification numbers according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the process of collecting and verifying the calling card identification and personal identification numbers (error case) according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a message flow diagram of an embodiment of the process of collecting and verifying the calling card identification and personal identification numbers (error case) according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the process of verifying the personal identification number according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a message flow diagram of an embodiment of the process of collecting and verifying the calling card identification and personal identification numbers according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the process of determining whether abbreviated number dialing or full destination dialing has been requested by the caller according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is a message flow diagram of an embodiment of the process _,of full destination number dialing according to the teachings of the present invention; FIGURE 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the process of abbreviated number dialing according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 12 is a message flow diagram of an embodiment of the process of abbreviated number dialing according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 13 is a message flow diagram of an embodiment of the process of abbreviated number dialing (error case) according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 14 is a message flow diagram of an embodiment of the process of abbreviated number database update according to the teachings of the present invention; and FIGURE 15 is a message flow diagram of an embodiment of the process of abbreviated number database update (error case) according to the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGURES 1-15, like reference numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a simplified block diagram of an exemplary advanced intelligent network (AIN) is shown. FIGURE 1 shows an exemplary telecommunications network 10 such as an advanced intelligent network (AIN) or intelligent network (IN) . Network 10 includes a service management system (SMS) 12 which interfaces with a service control point (SCP) 14 via an industry standard protocol such as X.25 or TCP/IP. Service management system 12 provides network information, database management, and administrative support for network 10. Service management system 12 generally interfaces with service control point 14 for provisioning, database management, service control point application program management, and collecting traffic metering and measurement data. Service control point 14 is also directly linked to a signal transfer point

(STP) 16 via an SS7 (signaling system number 7) link set

18. Based on present industry practice, an SS7 link set may include up to sixteen 56 or 64 Kbits/second links.

Signal transfer point 16 is further coupled to one or more service switching points (SSPs) 22 and 24, which perform the switching and call handling functions in the network via SS7 link sets 20. An intelligent peripheral (IP) 23 is coupled to service switching point 22 and another intelligent peripheral 25 is coupled to service switching point 24. Intelligent peripherals 23 and 25 may provide an interface to callers and users such as pre-recorded or voice synthesized announcements and prompts. Service control point 14 is a transaction based processing system whose primary responsibility is to respond to queries from service switching points 22 and 24 for data needed to complete routing a call. Service switching points 22 and 24 are part of the public switched telephone network and are coupled to the customer premises equipment (CPE) 28 of telephone service subscribers.

Network services are generally implemented in a service creation environment (SCE) 40 through a graphical user interface 42 to produce service logic programs that are then downloaded to network elements such as service management system 12, and/or service control point 14 where they are executed.

FIGURE 2 is a message flow diagram of the process of account calling card access, and FIGURE 3 is a flowchart of the same process. A caller may access the account calling card service by calling a predetermined specific access number, as shown in block 50. The service switching point detects a public office dialing plan (PODP) trigger and starts a Tl timer before sending an info_analyze message or other TCAP (transaction capabilities application part) query that includes the collected digits to query the service control point. The Tl timer times out if no response is received from the service control point after a predetermined time period. Service control point performs a table lookup and determines whether the dialed digits are an advanced intelligent network call for the account calling card service, as shown in block 52. If it is not a number that has been assigned to initiate account calling card service, then alternate AIN service processing is executed, as shown in block 54. If the dialed number is an account calling card access number, then the service control point initiates the account calling card service, as shown in block 56. The service control point further increments a service access counter and initialize the various fraud counters it maintains, as shown in block 58. The service control point then sets the parameters in a send_to_resource message to play an announcement to collect a calling card number (CCN) and a personal identification number (PIN) . Every calling card number has one or more corresponding optional personal identification number associated with it. The personal identification number acts as an authorization/security code which is used to validate the calling card number. The length of a personal identification number is configurable by the service provider. The service provider may also assign to each calling card number a configurable number of multiple personal identification numbers. This provides the service provider the flexibility to bill calls, made on a calling card number but multiple personal identification numbers, back to a single account. Further, the service provider may also present the bill in a more comprehensive manner by providing detailed calling charges associated with each personal identification number in a single calling card account . Upon receipt of the send_to_resource message, the service switching point stops the Tl timer and instructs intelligent peripheral to play an appropriate greeting announcement. Intelligent peripheral then plays the appropriate announcement, as shown in block 60. The announcement may request the user to either enter the calling card number and an optional personal identification number followed by a predetermined terminating digit (such as "#") , or to swipe a calling card issued by the service provider through a card reader and then subsequently enter the personal identification number. The service switching point then waits to begin collecting the calling card number and personal identification number digits, as shown in blocks 62 and 64.

Referring to both FIGURES 4 and 5, the service switching point starts a first digit timer in anticipation for receiving the first digit. The first digit timer times out after a predetermined period of not receiving any input from the caller, and an appropriate announcement is played to the caller to prompt the entry of the calling card number. When the service switching point receives the first digit, it stops the first digit timer and starts an inter-digit timer. If additional digits follow before the inter-digit timer expires, the service switching point restarts the inter-digit timer, which is designed to time out if a predetermined amount of time lapses between the receipt of successive digits. The service switching point collects the digits dialed by the caller, as shown in block 70. If the terminating digit "#" is received, the service switching point determines whether the correct number of digits has been collected. If at any time after the collection of the first digit, the service switching point receives a "*" digit, then it clears its digit register and increments a local retry counter. If the number of tries has not reached a predetermined limit, then the service switching point asks the intelligent peripheral to play an appropriate announcement and begins to collect the calling card number anew. If the local retry counter reaches the limit, the service switching point requests the intelligent peripheral to play a call terminating or transfer announcement. The call is either disconnected or transferred to an operator.

Upon the successful receipt of all the digits, the service switching point sends the collected digits to the service control point in a resource_clear message for validation. The service switching point also starts the Tl timer. The service control point looks up its list of valid calling card numbers and optional personal identification numbers and makes a determination of whether the received digits are valid, as shown in block 72. If the digits do not represent a valid calling card number and personal identification number, then a retry counter is incremented in block 74. The retry counter records the number of times invalid calling card numbers are entered by the caller for purposes such as fraud detection or to detect when operator assistance is needed. A determination is then made by the service control point in block 76 whether a predetermined retry limit or threshold has been reached. If the retry limit has been reached, the service control point sets parameters in a send_to_resource message to play an appropriate announcement and disconnect the caller or transfer the call to an operator.

The service switching point receives the send_to_resource message from the service control point and stops the Tl timer and instructs the intelligent peripheral to play the announcement. The intelligent peripheral plays the announcement, as shown in block 78. The service switching point then sends a resource_clear message to the service control point, which responds by sending an analyze_route message to the service switching point instructing it to transfer the call to the operator or disconnect the call, as shown in block 80. In block 81, an information problem report (IPR) may be generated to document the anomaly. The information problem report may be forwarded to a fraud control mechanism, which is capable of detecting fraud. The service management system may be notified when fraud is detected on a valid calling card number so that all service control points in the network are notified and their databases updated to block out the use of the particular calling card account.

If in block 76 it is determined that the retry limit has not been reached, then the service control point sends a send_to_resource message with the appropriate parameters to the service switching point, as shown in FIGURE 6. The service switching point stops the Tl timer and requests the intelligent peripheral to play an announcement prompting the caller to enter the correct calling card number, as shown in block 82 in FIGURE 5. Thereafter, the service switching point waits again to collect the calling card and personal identifier digits, as shown in block 70. Referring to FIGURES 5 and 8, the caller enters a series of digits, which are received and collected by the service switching point. As before, the service switching point sends the collected digits to the service control point in a resource_clear message for validation. The service control point performs a table lookup function and finds the collected digits in the table representing a valid calling card number, as shown in block 72. In FIGURE 7, block 90, the service control point further looks in the table and determines whether a personal identification number is required for this particular calling card number. If the personal identification number is required, the collected digits representing the personal identification number are verified against the corresponding set of valid personal identification numbers for the calling card number in the table to determine if it is valid, as shown in block 100. After the calling card number and the personal identification number, if required, are validated, the service control point sets the parameters of a send__to_resource message to play an appropriate announcement for the purpose of collecting the destination number digits. The service switching point receives this message and instructs the intelligent peripheral to play the announcement to the caller prompting for the entry of the destination telephone number, and the intelligent peripheral does so, as shown in block 92 in FIGURE 7. The service switching ^• point then waits for the destination number, as shown in block 94.

If the personal identification number was determined to be invalid in block 100 in FIGURE 7, then a personal identification number threshold is checked to determine if it has been exceeded. If the threshold has not been reached, then the personal identification number counter is incremented, and execution returns to block 82 in FIGURE 5 to recollect the calling card number and personal identification numbers. Else if the threshold was reached, then the service control point sends a send_to_resource message to the service switching point, which requests the playback of an appropriate announcement to the caller. The caller may be routed to an operator or the call may be disconnected, as shown in block 80 in FIGURE 5. An information and problem report may also be generated in block 81.

Referring to FIGURES 9 and 10, the service switching point receives the destination digits entered by the caller, as shown in block 110. The service switching point sends the collected destination digits in a resource_clear message to the service control point and starts the Tl timer. The service control point checks to see if a predetermined digit in the collected digits is a digit representing abbreviated dialing to determine if the collected destination digits represent an abbreviated number, as shown in block 112. Abbreviated number dialing is a service provided by the calling card service provider which enables the caller to set up or program one or more abbreviated numbers that can be translated to full destination numbers by the service control point. To initiate abbreviated dialing, the caller is required to enter, for example, an asterisk "*" followed by a 2-4 digit abbreviated number and then the "#". Therefore the service control point looks for the dialing sequence which would indicate abbreviated dialing. If the service control point determines that the number is not an abbreviated number, it further determines in block 114 whether the number represents a request for the calling card service operator. If the collected digits do indicate that the caller requested for operator assistance, then the caller is connected with the operator. If neither condition is true, then the number collected represents a full destination number, which prompts the service control point to set parameters in an analyze_route message, and sends it to the service switching point. The service switching point stops the Tl timer and completes the call following the parameters in the analyze_route message, as shown in block 116.

However, if the service control point in block 112 determines that the collected digits represent an abbreviated number, then it makes the further determination whether the number is a valid abbreviated number, as shown in block 130 in FIGURE 11. Referring also to FIGURE 12, the service control point looks up in its abbreviated number database or table for an entry corresponding to the collected abbreviated number. If the number is valid, then its corresponding full destination number is obtained from the database, as shown in block 132, and is sent in an analyze_route message to the service switching point . The service switching point, upon receipt of the full destination number, stops the Tl timer and completes the call by connecting the caller to the destination number, as shown in block 134.

However, if the abbreviated number that was collected from the caller is not valid or is not assigned a corresponding full destination number, as determined in block 130, then an abbreviated number invalid attempt counter is incremented, as shown in block 136. The invalid attempt counter is then checked to determine if a predetermined threshold has been reached, as shown in block 138. Referring also to FIGURE 13, if the threshold has been reached, then the service control point sends a send_to_resource message with parameters set to play an announcement, which may be optional, and to disconnect the call. The service switching point, upon receipt of this message, instructs the intelligent peripheral to play a terminating announcement, as shown in block 140. The service switching point then disconnects the call or transfers the call to an operator, as shown in block 142.

If the invalid threshold has not yet been reached, as determined in block 138, then the caller is given another try. The service control point sends a message to the service switching point to request the intelligent peripheral to play an appropriate announcement, and the service switching point waits to recollect digits representing the destination number, as shown in blocks 146-150. When a call is successfully connected, the charges associated with the call are billed to the account associated with the calling card number. Therefore, the service subscriber may place toll calls from any public or private telephone network and have the calls billed to his/her account.

To set up abbreviated number dialing, the caller may use a predetermined abbreviated dialing access number, such as an 1-800 or 1-888 number, as shown in FIGURE 14. The service switching point collects the digits and sends the collected digits in an info_analyzed message to the service control point. A Tl timer is also started. The service control point receives the collected digits and verifies them as a valid abbreviated number access number. The service control point then sends an analyze_route message to the service switching point, instructing it to route the call to the intelligent peripheral . The service switching point, upon receiving the message, stops the Tl timer, and connects the call to the intelligent peripheral. The intelligent peripheral then prompts the caller for the calling card number and optional personal identification number. The caller then enters the calling card number and optional personal identification number. The intelligent peripheral collects the digits and sends them to the service management system for verification. If the digits are not valid calling card and personal identification numbers, as shown in FIGURE 15, and an invalid attempt threshold has been reached for this session, then the service management system instructs the intelligent peripheral to play an error announcement and disconnect the caller or transfer the call to an operator.

If the collected digits are valid account calling card and personal identification numbers, then the service management system requests the intelligent peripheral to play an announcement to the caller to prompt for an instruction from the caller. The caller may add, change, or delete abbreviated numbers in the database. The intelligent peripheral generally may present the caller with a prompt that provides a menu of possible actions. The caller is thus guided through the abbreviated number updating process, with the intelligent peripheral responding to the caller's entry in an appropriate manner. The intelligent peripheral also collects the digits entered by the caller, which may represent the desired action, abbreviated number digits, and full destination digits. These collected digits are forwarded to the service management system, which then distributes the data to the proper service control points. The service control points then update their databases accordingly. Upon a successful transaction, the service management system requests the intelligent peripheral to provide a confirmation tone or announcement to the caller. In an enhanced mode operation, the caller may initiate the account calling card service, use abbreviated dialing, and update the databases with voice commands .

Although several embodiments of the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that mutations, changes, substitutions, transformations, modifications, variations, and alterations can be made therein without departing from the teachings of the present invention, the spirit and scope of the invention being set forth by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An account calling card service, comprising the steps of : receiving, at a service switching point, a telephone number entered by a caller; verifying, at a service control point coupled to the service switching point, the received telephone number as an account calling card service access telephone number; prompting the caller, by an intelligent peripheral, for a calling card number in response to the received telephone number being verified as a valid account calling card service access telephone number; receiving, at the service switching point, a first set of multi-digit number entered by the caller; verifying, at the service control point, the received first set of multi-digit number as a valid calling card number associated with a pre-established account; prompting the caller, by the intelligent peripheral, for a destination number in response to the received first set of multi-digit number being verified as a valid account calling card number; receiving, at the service switching point, a destination number entered by the caller; completing the call to the destination number; and billing charges associated with the completed call to the pre-established account.

2. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: incrementing a calling card number retry counter in response to determining the received first set of multi- digit number being an invalid account calling card number; and prompting the caller, by the intelligent peripheral, for re-entering the correct account calling card number.

3. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 2, further comprising the steps of: determining the calling card number retry counter exceeding a predetermined threshold; and playing to the caller, by the intelligent peripheral, an announcement indicating that the entered calling card number continues to be incorrect and that the call is being terminated or forwarded to an operator.

4. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: sending an info_analyze message from the service switching point to the service control point in response to receiving the telephone number from the caller for verification as an account calling card service access telephone number; and starting a Tl timer.

5. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 4, further comprising the steps of: sending an send_to_resource message from the service control point to the service switching point in response to verifying that the received telephone number is a valid account calling card service access telephone number; receiving the send_to_resource message by the service switching point; and stopping the Tl timer.

6. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of requesting the intelligent peripheral, by the service switching point, to prompt the caller for the destination number.

7. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 2, further comprising the step of requesting the intelligent peripheral, by the service switching point, to prompt the caller to re-enter the account calling card number .

8. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 3, further comprising the step of requesting the intelligent peripheral, by the service switching point, to play the announcement to the caller.

9. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 3, further comprising the step of forwarding the call to an operator in response to the calling card number retry counter exceeding the predetermined threshold.

10. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 3, further comprising the step of terminating the call in response to the calling card number retry counter exceeding the predetermined threshold.

11. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: verifying that a personal identification number is required for accessing the pre-established account; prompting the caller, by the intelligent peripheral, for a personal identification number; receiving a second set of multi-digit numbers entered by the caller; and verifying, at the service control point, the received second set of multi -digit numbers as a valid personal identification number associated with the pre-established account .

12. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 11, further comprising the steps of: incrementing a personal identification number retry counter in response to determining the received second set of multi-digit number being an invalid personal identification number for the pre-established account; and prompting the caller, by the intelligent peripheral, for re-entering the correct personal identification number.

13. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 12, further comprising the steps of: determining the personal identification number retry counter exceeding a predetermined threshold; and playing to the caller, by the intelligent peripheral, an announcement indicating that the entered personal identification number continues to be incorrect and that the call is being terminated or forwarded to an operator.

14. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: determining, by the service control point, whether the received destination number is an abbreviated telephone number; determining, at the service control point, a full destination number associated with the received destination number in response to the received destination number being an abbreviated telephone number; and completing the call to the full destination number.

15. An account calling card service, comprising the steps of : receiving, at a service switching point, a telephone number entered by a caller; verifying, at a service control point coupled to the service switching point, the received telephone number as a valid account calling card service access telephone number; prompting the caller, by an intelligent peripheral, for a calling card number and a personal identification number in response to the received telephone number being verified as a valid account calling card service access telephone number; receiving, at the service switching point, a first and a second set of multi-digit number entered by the caller; verifying, at the service control point, the received first set of multi-digit number as a valid calling card number associated with a pre-established account; verifying, at the service control point, the received second set of multi-digit number as a valid personal identification number associated with the pre-established account; prompting the caller, by the intelligent peripheral, for a destination number in response to the received first and second sets of multi-digit number being valid; receiving, at the service switching point, a destination number entered by the caller; determining, by the service control point, whether the received destination number is an abbreviated telephone number; determining, at the service control point, a full destination number associated with the received destination number in response to the received destination number being an abbreviated telephone number; completing the call to the full destination number; and billing charges associated with the completed call to the pre-established account.

16. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the steps of: incrementing a calling card number retry counter in response to determining the received first set of multi- digit number being an invalid account calling card number; and prompting the caller, by the intelligent peripheral, for re-entering the correct account calling card number.

17. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 16, further comprising the steps of: determining the calling card number retry counter exceeding a predetermined threshold; and playing to the caller, by the intelligent peripheral, an announcement indicating that the entered calling card number continues to be incorrect and that the call is being terminated or forwarded to an operator.

18. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the steps of: sending an info_analyze message from the service switching point to the service control point in response to receiving the telephone number from the caller for verification as an account calling card service access telephone number; and starting a Tl timer.

19. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the steps of: sending an send__to_resource message from the service control point to the service switching point in response to verifying that the received telephone number is a valid account calling card service access telephone number; receiving the send__to_resource message by the service switching point; and stopping the Tl timer.

20. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the step of requesting the intelligent peripheral, by the service switching point, to prompt the caller for the destination number.

21. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 16, further comprising the step of requesting the intelligent peripheral, by the service switching point, to prompt the caller to re-enter the account calling card number.

22. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 17, further comprising the step of requesting the intelligent peripheral, by the service switching point, to play the announcement to the caller.

23. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 17, further comprising the step of forwarding the call to an operator in response to the calling card number retry counter exceeding the predetermined threshold.

24. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 17, further comprising the step of terminating the call in response to the calling card number retry counter exceeding the predetermined threshold.

25. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the steps of: incrementing a personal identification number retry counter in response to determining the received second set of multi-digit number being an invalid personal identification number for the pre-established account; and prompting the caller, by the intelligent peripheral, for re-entering the correct personal identification number.

26. The account calling card service, as set forth in claim 25, further comprising the steps of: determining the personal identification number retry counter exceeding a predetermined threshold; and playing to the caller, by the intelligent peripheral, an announcement indicating that the entered personal identification number continues to be incorrect and that the call is being terminated or forwarded to an operator.