Abstract: A communications system is designed to allow a temporary electronic find transfer from a pre-paid calling card balance to an account of the prepaid calling card issuer to take place when the user of such prepaid calling card number elects to record a spontaneous message for a called party. The transferred fund is either permanently deducted from the prepaid calling card balance when the recorded message is delivered to the called party, or partially or fully refunded to the prepaid calling card balance when the recorded message is deemed undeliverable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blocked call routing apparatus and method that allows a caller to access a blocked number, such as a 1-8YY paging service, from a restricted device. The blocked call routing apparatus includes a controller, a database interface and a network interface. The blocked call routing apparatus receives call signals through the network interface and retrieves information from a database, through the database interface, corresponding to the source type and call destination address. Based on the information obtained from the database, the blocked call routing apparatus determines whether the call is blocked or unblocked. If the call is blocked, the blocked call routing apparatus queries the called party to determine if they wish to accept the additional charges necessary to complete the call. If they do, the block is overridden and the call is completed.

Abstract: In a method of leaving a message for a calling party in an automatic long-distance re-dialing service where a called party returns a call from the calling party but the calling party does not answer the called party's return call, the method comprises the steps of providing the called party an option of returning the call from the calling party, for example, at the expense of the calling party and prompting the called party to leave a message for the calling party if the calling party does not answer the called party's return call. The apparatus comprises a controller for controlling operation of an announcement(message delivery capability, a dialer, a voice detector/coder and a memory for storing the message from the called party to be delivered to the calling party.

Abstract: A method for completing a telephone call originating from a calling party to a called party. The method determines the time zone at a first cell location associated with the originating calling party. It also determines the time zone at a second location associated with the called party. A comparison is made between the time zone associated with the calling party with the time zone associated with the called party. An announcement associated with the time of day is made to the calling party if the time zone associated with the calling party is not the same as the time zone associated with the called party. The system provides the calling party with a menu of options for completing a telephone call to the called party when the calling party receives either a busy signal, a ring no answer response, a message that said called party's telephone has been changed or a message that said called party's telephone is out of service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing personal, bi-directional, non-geographic base call management are presented. An inter-exchange provider network enables subscribers to obtain a personal telephone number that is independent of the subscriber's residence. As such, the subscriber retains the personal phone number even when the subscriber move to another part of the country. The personal telephone number may be used to receive inbound calls, either through call forwarding features, paging or voice mail, and to place outbound calls using the personal number as a calling card number. In this manner, a subscriber's telephone needs may be consolidated with a single carrier that provides simplified access for the subscriber while following the subscriber where ever the subscriber moves. The subscriber is also provided with access to customize the call management features provided by the inter-exchange carrier through a phone call.