Method and apparatus for performing an automated collect call

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention, a telecommunications station is provided which performs similar functions as the telephone company or an AOS, but does so locally and automatically.
More specifically, a system is provided which is interactive with the calling party and the called party through the use of prompting messages.
These messages can supply information or prompting to the users of the system and can thereby automatically complete calls that would otherwise require the services of a live operator.
An important technical advantage of the present method and system provided is its ability to locally generate a record of the individual calls placed.
This record can then be retrieved locally or form a remote portion of the system and can be used to bill the user of the system for the call.
Specifically, a method and system is provided which uses prompting messages which are stored locally in the telecommunications station.
These messages are played for the calling party to prompt him to take the appropriate steps to place a collect call.
The calling party is given the option to speak with a live operator if desired.
Alternatively, the present invention allows the placing of a collect call, with charges for the call being calculated and stored at the station for later billing to the called party.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a telecommunications station is provided which can record a destination number and a calling party's name.
The station then informs the called party of the identity of the calling party using the recorded name and asks the called party if he wishes to accept the call.
The station contains circuitry which is capable of then acting on a number of possible responses from the called party.
The station accordingly either completes or terminates the call.