CA2241748A1 - Method and system for automated collect call messaging - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and apparatus allow a caller to contact a called party with a collect call whether or not the called station is answered or is busy. When the caller dials a collect call access code, the call is routed to a messaging platform which collects the call information and attempts to complete the call. If there is no answer or if the called station is busy, the messaging platform retains control of the call and automatically prompts the caller to enter a name and a message to be delivered to the called party. After the name and message have been entered, the caller is given a confirmation number, if desired, which allows the caller to determine whether the called party has received the message. The messaging platform repeatedly attempts to deliver the message by calling the called party. Upon the call being answered, the messaging platform identifies the caller and prompts the called party to accept or refuse the collect message. If the called party accepts the message, the messaging platform plays it and the called party is charged for the message.

Description

W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 ~ETHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AU~OMATED
COLLECT CALL MESSAGING

BACKGROUND OF TH~ INVENTION
Field Of The Invention The invention relates generally to telephone mess~gin~ service, and in particular to automated collect call me~s~ging systems.

~ portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or 10 the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Back~round Information Collect calls allow a caller to kansfer charges for a call to the account of the telephone station receiving the call, at the option of the called party.
15 Currently, the called party must answer the call and accept the charges, in order for a collect call to be completed. If the called station is not answered or is busy, the call carmot be completed. A need exists to enable a caller to complete a collect call by leaving a message to be delivered to a called party, W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 at the option of the called party, if the called station is not answered or is busy when the call is placed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,042 to Baral et al. describes an apparatus and method for spontaneous voice and data mess~gin,P. Baral et al. discloses a toll switch having a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) receiver and a voice m~ss~ge operations center (VMOC) having voice messaging equipment.
When the toll switch receives a call, it attaches the DTMF receiver to the call pending reception of an answer in order to detect signals keyed by the calling customer. A message inforrning the calling customer of the availability of 10 voice messaging service may be played during the ringing period or during or instead of a busy signal. If the calling customer desires to leave a voice message, he must dial a key sequence, such as *867, which is detected by the DTMF receiver of the toll switch. Upon receipt of such a key sequence, the toll switch connects the call to the V~OC, which records and delivers the 1~ voice message. Such an arrangement requires DTMF receivers to be installed at each toll switch at which voice me~s~gin~ service is to be availa~le. In order to offer comprehensive service, all toll switches would have to be so modified. The expense of such modifications is likely to be large. Further, the arrangement requires the caller to enter a key sequence 20 in order to be connected to the VMOC; the toll switch does not detect that the called station is not answered or is busy. Finally, the arrangement does not handle message delivery billed to the called party.

W O 97/24863 PCT~US96/20343 U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,461 to Brown et al. describes a call message delivery system and method. Brown et al. discloses a call delivery service apparatus and method which enable non-subscriber callers to a common carrier network to bill a voice message delivery to their billing code (e.g.
S credit card number), and to check the delivery status of the message from the network during a subsequent call. A caller who would like to leave a message to be delivered to a specified phone number gains access to the system by dialing an 800 number associated with the system. The system then prompts the caller to enter the billing code and the destination phone 10 number for the mess~e. This system does not provide spontaneous mess~in~ upon detection of a no answer or busy condition of a called station. In addition, it does not handle message delivery billed to the called party.
Accordingly, a need exists to provide automated collect call voice 1~ mess~gin~

SU~MARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is an automated voice messaging system for collect calls.
Another object is an automated collect call system for completing calls 20 regardless of whether the called station is not answered or is busy.

W 097124863 PCT~US96/20343 Another object is an automated collect call system for delivery of collect calls by voice mail.
Another object is a method of completing an unanswered collect call by voice mail.
S These arld other objects, features and advantages are provided by the method and system for automated collect call me~ging. When the caller dials a collect call access code, the call is routed to a mess~ging platform which collects the call information and attempts to complete the call. If there is no answer or if the call is busy, the mess~ging plat~orm retains control of the call and autom~ti~-~lly prompts the caller to enter a name, if the name was not already recorded, and a voice mail message to be delivered to the called party. After the name and voice mail message have been entered, the caller is given a confirmation num~er, if desired, which allows the caller to determine whether the called party has received the message. The messaging platform repeatedly attempts to deliver the voice mail message by calling the called party. Upon the call being answered, the mess~gin~ platform identifies the caller and prompts the called party to accept or refuse the collect voice mail message. If the called party accepts the message, the me~s~gin~
platform plays it and the called party is charged for the mecs~ge.
It is seen that the present invention requires no equipment to be added to existing switches as the switches need not detect key sequences. ~urther, the messaging platform is connected from the inception of the call and itself W O 971248~3 PCT~US96/20343 monitors the call and detects that the called station is not answered or is busy. Therefore, the caller need do nothing to be connected to the me~s~ging platform. Finally, the mes~ging platform handles the initiation of collect calls in an automated manner.

Pig. la is a block diagram of a collect call mess~ging platform 100 in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. lb is an exemplary block diagram of a computer system which is representative of AP 12~, ISNAP 136, ACP 142, MCP 144 and billing 10system 140 shown in Fig. la.
Fig. lc is a block diagram of an audio server which is representative of ARU-AS 134 and MP-AS 146 shown in Fig. la.
Fig. 2a is a overview flow diagram of the processes of the present invention implemented in messaging platform 100.
15Fig. 2b is a flow diagram of collect calling service process 200 of Fig 2a, implemented by system 100.
Fig 3a is a flow diagram of a mess~ging process 300 of Fig. 2a, implemented by system 100.
Fig. 3b is a flow diagram of a subprocess of step 308 of Fig. 3a of 20mes~ginF process 300 of Fig. 3a.

W 097/Z4863 PCTrUS96/20343 Fig. 3c is a flow diagram of a record message menu subprocess of step 308-2 of Fig. 3b.
Fig. 3d is a flow diagram of an offer options menu subprocess of step 308-3 of Fig. 3b.
S Fig. 3e is a flow diagram of an options menu subprocess of step 308-~
of Fig. 3b.
Fig. 3f is a flow diagram of an append message subprocess of step 308-7 of Fig. 3b.
Fig. 3g is a flow diagram of a confirrnation number subprocess of step 308-6 of Fig. 3b.
Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of a message delivery process 400 of Fig. 2a, implemented by system 100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THh INVENIION
Fig. la is a block diagrarn of a collect call mess~gin~ system 100, in accordance with the present invention. Also shown is conventional public switched telephone network 102. As an example, the internal details of network 102 are represented by conventional switches 104 and 108, conventional trunks 110 and 112 and conventional telephone sets 114 and 116. System 100 includes bridging switch 106, connected to network 102 by trunks 110 and 112. Bridging switch 106 allows a call to be simultaneously connected among three parties. In addition to connections over trunks 110 W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 and 112, bridging switch 106 can make connections over line 118, which connects to automatic call distributor (ACD) 124 and line 122, which connects to messaging platform audio server (MP-AS) 146. ACD 124 routes calls for h~n~lling by either m~ml~l telephone operator console (MTOC) 132 or automated audio response unit/audio server (ARU-AS) 134. ACD 124 delivers the sign~ling information of each call to intelligent services network application processor (ISNAP) 136 over data connection 130. ISNAP 136 selects the type of equipment to which the call is to be routed and sends control comm~nfl~ to ACD 124 over data connection 130. ACD 124 delivers the audio portion of the call to either MTOC 132 over audio connection 12~
or to ARU-AS 134 over audio connection 129. MTOC 132 is conventional equipment with which human operators m~ml~lly answer calls and m~ml~lly enter information obtained from the caller. ARU-AS 134 is conventional equipment which automatically answers calls and obtains information from the caller. ARU-AS 134 does this by, for example, playing pre-recorded p~ o~ tillg messages to the caller and detecting touch tone keys pressed by the caller. ARU-AS 134 includes a conventional audio server which ~ligit~lly records, stores and plays back voice mess~ges.
~ Application call processor (ACP) 142 and message control processor (MPC) 144 are standard processors which control different portions of the collect call and me.~s~ginp processes. ACP 142 and MPC 144 implement portions of the processes which perform standard collect call service and W O 97/24S63 PCT~US96/20343 collect me~s~ging service. ACP 142 receives status information from ARU-AS 134 and issues comm~3n~ to control ARU-AS 134 in the collection of information required to perform standard collect call service. ACP 142 also receives status information from ARU-AS 134 and MP-AS 14~ and issues comm~n~1.c to control both ARU-AS 134 and MP-AS 146 in the performance of collect me~gin~; service. ARU-AS 134 is conn~cte-l to ACD 124 and handles incoming calls to the system. MP-AS 146 is an audio server similar to that in ARU-AS 134, except that it is co~mected to bridging switch 106 and has been arranged so that it is capable of initi~tin~ calls.
Although only single blocks are shown, system 100 and each block within represent multiple equipment located in diverse geographical locations, but all comm~lnicating over local/wide area network (LWAN) 138. LWAN
138 is a standard network comprising, for example, multiple interconnected Ethernet local area networks. ARU-AS 134, ACP 142, MCP 144 and MP-AS 146 also co,~ "-i~t~ over local area network (LAN) 148. LAN 148 is a standard network, such as Token Ring. Although it is not required, typically, each group of ARU-AS 134, ACP 142, MCP 144 and MP-AS 146 are located at ~e same site, so LAN 148 is used to interconnect them. The use of LAN 148 allows the bulk of mess~ging traffic to be intercommnnicated without use of LWAN 138. Me~s~gin~ traffic comprises mainly ~ iti7ed voice messages, which tend to comprise large amounts of data compared to the usual sign~ling traffic on LWAN 138. Intercomml-nicating me~s~ging W 097/24863 PCT~US96/20343 traffic over LWAN 138 would consume too many network resources. Use of LAN 148 avoids consumption of those resources and prevents any interference with sign~31ing traffic.
Bridging switch 106 also co~ lllic~tes with adjunct processor (AP) 126 which extracts billing information from switch 106 over data cormection 120.
AP 126 processes the extracted billing information and sends it to billing system 140.
Fig. lb is an exemplary block diagram of a computer system 150 which is representative of AP 126, ISNAP 136, ACP 142, MCP 144 and billing system 140. Each of these blocl~s comprise at least one such co~ u~l system. Although only one each of AP 126, ISNAP 136, ACP 142, MCP
144 and billing system 140 are shown in Fig. la, it is well known in the art that a distributed architecture in which more than one co,ll~ute~ system performs each function is entirely equivalent. System 150 includes a CPU
150-1, for execl-ting program instructions and processing data, memory 150-4, for storing program instructions executed by and data processed by C~PU
150-1, disk storage 150-5, for storing data to be transferred to and from memory, and at least one I/O adapter 150-2, for co-",---l"icating with other - devices and transferring data in and out of the computer system over connection 150-12. System 150 may also include an operator interface 150-3, for providing status information to and accepting comm~n-l~ from a system operator. All these elements are interconnected by bus 150-6, which allows W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 data to be intercomm~lnicated between the elements. I/O adapter 150-2 represents one or more I/O adapters or network interfaces which may connect to local or wide area networks, such as, for example LWAN 138 or LAN
148 or directly to other components. Therefore, connection 150-12 5 represents a LAN or WAN or a direct connection to other equipment.
Memory 150-4 is accessible by CPU 150-1 over bus 150-6 and includes operating system 150-9, program partition 150-7 and data partition 150-8.
Program partition 150-7 stores and allows execution by CPU 150-1 of program instructions which implement the functions of each respective system, AP 12~i, ISNAP 136, ACP 142, MCP 144 and billing system 140.
Data partition 150-8 is accessible ~oy CPU 150-1 and stores data used during the execution of program instructions. In AP 126, program partition 150-7 contains program instructions which implement extraction and processing of billing information from switch 106. In ISNAP 136, program partition 150-7 15 contains program instructions which selects an operator group, either MTOC
132 or ARU-A~ 134, to which calls are to be routed by ACD 124. In ACP
142, program partition 150-7 contains program instructions which implement a collect calling service process 200, shown in Fig. 2a, which controls standard collect calling service. In MCP 144, program partition 150-7 20 contains program instructions which implement portions of collect calling service process 200, mes~;ing process 300, and message delivery process 400, all shown in Fig. 2a. In billing system 140, program partitior, 150-7 W O 97/24863 PCT~US96/20343 contains program instructions which implement processing of billing information.
Fig. lc is an exemplary block diagram of an audio server 160 which is representative of ARU-AS 134 and MP-AS 146. Each of these blocks comprise at least one such audio server. Although only one each of ARU-AS
134 and MP-AS 146 are shown in Fig. la, it is well known in the art that a distributed architecture in which more than one audio server performs each function is entirely equivalent. Audio server 160 includes a CPU 160-1, for executing program instructions and processing data, memory 160-~? for storing program instructions executed by and data processed by CPU 160-1, disk storage 160-5, for storing data to be lldl~relled to and from memory, at least one I/O adapter 160-2, for comml-nic~tin~ with other devices and transferring data in and out of the audio server over connection 160-15, and at least one audio interface 160-12, for comml-nicating audio signals. Audio server 160 may also include an operator interface 160-3, for providing status information to and accepting comm~n~lc from a server operator. All these elements are interConn~cte~l by bus 160-6, which allows data to be interco,~ ,ir,~e-l between the elements. I/O adapter 160-2 represents one - or more I/O adapters or network interfaces which may cormect to local or wide area networks, such as, for example LWAN 138 or LAN 148 or directly to other components. Therefore, connection 160-15 represents a LAN or WAN or a direct connection to other equipment.

WO 97/24863 PCTrU~96/20343 Audio interface 160-12 interfaces audio server 160 to audio trunk lines, typically at least one Tl line. Each Tl line is capable of carrying 24 calls.
Audio server 160 typically has the throughput necessary to handle 72 calls sim~ neously, therefore, three Tl lines would be connected to each audio 5 interface 160-12.
Memory is accessible by CPU 160-1 over bus 160-6 and includes operating system 160-9, program partition 160-7 and data partition 160-8.
Program partition 160-7 stores and allows execution by CPU 160-1 of program instructions which implement the functions of each respective system, ARU-AS 134 and MP-AS 146. Data partition 160-8 is accessible by CPU 160-1 and stores data used during the execution of program instructions.
In A~U-AS 134, program partition 160-7 contains program instructions which implement portions of processes 200, 300 and 400, as described ~elow. In MP-AS 146, prograrn partition 160-7 contains program instructions which implement portions of processes 300 and 400, as described below.
Disk 160-5 contains data files 160-10. These files are used for voice m~s.s~ge storage. Files 160-10 include caller name files 160-13 and message files 160-14. These files contain digital recordings of callers' names and 20 voice messages respectively.
Fig. 2a is an overview flow diagram of the processes implemented in mess~ging platform 100, showing the interaction of collect calling service process 200, mecs~ging process 300 and message delivery process 400.
Process 200 in~ les steps 202-214, in which a caller places a collect call, me.s~in~ platform 100 collects the necess~ry information and the call is connected to the called station. In step 216, mess~ging platform 100 determines whether the called station is answered. If so, process 200 then completes the collect call normally in steps 218-224. If the called station does not answer or is busy, mess~ing process 300 is invoked. Process 300 includes steps 302-304 and 308-322, in which mess~ging platform 100 attempts to obtain a recorded voice name, if necess~ry, and a recorded mes.~e from the caller. If this attempt is unsl-ccessful, the process goes to step 306, in which the mess~in~ call is canceled, with the a~ o~liate treatment. If the attempt is successful, m~c.~e delivery process 400 is invoked. Process 400 includes steps 402-412, in which mess~ing platform 100 origin~tf s a call to the called station in an attempt to deliver the message.
If there is no answer, or the termin~tin~ number is busy, the process goes to step 413, in which me~ gin~ platforrn 100 examines the number of delivery attempts which have been made. If there have been too many delivery attempts, the process goes to step 415, in which the message delivery is - canceled. If there have not been too many delivery attempts, the process loops back to step 402. If, in step 412, the call is answered, the process goes to steps 416-422, in which m~ss~ging platform 100 identifies the caller by playing back the recorded name file and prompts the called party to accept -CA 0224l748 l998-06-26 W O 97~4863 PCTrJS96/20343 the message. If the called party does not accept the message, the process goes to steps 424-426, in which the message is canceled, with the appropriate treatment. If the called party accepts the message, the process goes to step 428-430, in which me~s~ginp. platform 100 plays the message to the called 5 party. In step 432, the called party is charged for the message delivery.
Fig. 2b is a flow diagram of collect calling service process 200, implemented by system 10~ in conjunction with network 102, as shown in Fig. la, in accordance with the present invention. Process 200 begins with step 202, in which a caller dials the access number for collect calling service.
10 For example, the caller may dial an "800" access number or the caller may dial "0+termin~ting number". In step 204, network 102 recognizes the access number and routes the call tO bridging switch 106. In step 206, bridging switch 10~ routes the call to ACD 124. In step 208, ACD 124 sends the si~n~ling information, including the termin~ting number, associated 15 with the call to ISNAP 136, which selects an operator group, either MTOC
132 or ARU-AS 134, to which the call is to be routed. ISNAP 136 sends the routing comm~n-l to A~D 124, which then routes the call accordingly. In step 210, a member of the operator group to which the call was routed collects the information needed to complete collect calling service. This 20 information includes the termin~ting number, if an "800" access number was dialed and always includes the caller's name. If the operator group is ARU-AS 134, the caller's name is recorded. In step 212, the caller is put on hold WO 97~24863 PCTAUS96/Z0343 while the call is completed. In step 214, the call is completed between the ~ operator group and the termin~ting number, allowing me~s~ging system 100 to monitor the call. In step 216, system 100 determines whether the tel~nini~tin~ nu~ber answered Ihe caii. iI the termin~ting number did not 5 answer the call, either due to ring-no-answer or due to a busy signal, system 100 invokes mess.~ging process 300. If the termin~ting number does answer, the process goes to step 218. in which the operator group prompts the called party to accept the collect call. In step 220, it is determined whether the called party accepts the collect call. If the called party accepts the call, the 10 process goes to step 222, in which the bridging switch connects the caller to tne called party and releases the connection to the operator group. The process then ends. If the called party does not accept the call, the process goes to step 224, in which the operator group releases the called party and informs tne caller of the refusal of the call. The process then ends.
Fig 3a is a flow diagram of rnes.c~ginP: process 300, implemented by system 100 in conjunction with network 102, as shown in Fig. la, in accordance with the present invention. Process 300 begins with step 302, in which the call is connected to ARU-AS 134, which pl-o~ . the caller to use the mes~in~ service. In step 304, it is deterrnin~l whether the caller 20 accepts mess~gin~ service. If not, the process goes to step 306, in which the call is termin~te~l and the caller's name, if it was recorded in step 210 of Fig.

2, is deleted. If the caller accepts mess~ing service, the process continues 3 PCT~US96nO343 with step 308, in which ARU-AS 134 attempts to record the message, and if neces.c~ry, the caller's name. If the attempt to record the mt?c~ge is unsuccessful, the process goes to step 309, in which the process is canceled.
If the attempt to record the mecs~Ee is successful, the process goes to step 310, in which ACP 142 generates file names which identify the recorded name and m-~ss~ge. In step 312, ACP 142 informs MCP 144 that the message has been recorded by sending a message information record to MCP
144. The message information record includes the called number, other call attributes such as, for example, a coupon or promotional offer number, the address of the ARU-AS that recorded the name and message (in a typical embo-liment, there are several ARU-ASs), the file names identifying the caller's name and voice message files on A~U-AS 134, and an access number to use for mtoss~ge delivery. In response to this mess~e, in step 314, MCP 144 generates a con~lrm~tion number with which the caller can obtain the delivery status of the message and sends the confirmation number to MCP 144. In step 316, ACP 142 comm~n-ls ARU-AS 134 to ~Irst play a closing message to the caller, including the con~lrmation number, then to terminate the call. In step 318, bridging switch 106 generates billing information in the form of an operator service record (OSR) and sends it via AP 126 to billing system 140. Likewise, ACP 142 generates billing information in the form of a billing detail record (BDR) which is sent to billing system 140. Both the OSR and the BDR are marked as unbillable, W 097/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 thus indicating that no one is to be charged for the call during which the message was recorded.
In step 320, MCP 144 retrieves the recorded voice message and name files from ARU-AS 134 using the information in the message information S record and stores the voice message and name locally on MP-AS 146. In step 322, MCP 144 schedules the message for delivery. In step 324, the caller's name and voice mes~s~ge files are deleted from ARU-AS 134 and the message information record is stored in MCP 144.
Fig. 3b is a flow diagram of a subprocess of step 308 of mess~ging process 300 of Fig. 3a. Subprocess 308 is entered from step 304 of Fig. 3a and begirls with step 308-1, in which the configuration and availability of the mes~ping platform are verified. If the nt-ce~.s~ry subsy~ ls of the mes~ging platforrn are not ~)ro~tl ly configured or are unavailable, the mess~ging process goes to step 308-10, in which the message is canceled.
15 If tne mess~ginp platform is properly configured and is available, the process goes to step 308-2, in which the record message menu is performed. This menu allows the caller to record a voice message and, if necessary, a name.
If a message is not properly recorded by the record message menu, the me~s~gin~ process goes to step 308-10, in which t'ne message is canceled.
20 If a message is properly recorded and the record message menu was entered from step 308-1, the process continues with step 308-3. If a message is W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 properly recorded and the record message menu was entered from step 308-9, the process goes to step 308-5.
In step 308-3, the offer options menu is performed. This menu allows the caller to select whether or not to enter options. If option entry is not S selected, the process goes to step 308-6. If option entry is selected, the process goes to step 308-5.
In step 308-5, the options menu is performed. This menu allows the caller to select whether to perform several optional functions. These functions include: playing the message back to the caller, delivering the 10 message, adding to the m~ss~ge, erasing and rerecording the message and canceling the mes.s~ge. If the play option is selected, the process goes to step - 308-4, in which the message is played back to the caller. 'rhe process then returns to the options menu, step 308-5. If the add option is selected, the process goes to step 308-7, in which the append m~ss~ge routine is 15 perforined. The process then returns to the options menu, step 308-5. If the erase/rerecord option is selected, the process goes to step 308-9, in which the recorded m~ss~ge is deleted. The process then goes to step 308-2, in which the record message menu is again performed. If the cancel option is selected, the process goes to step 309, in which the message is deleted and canceled.
~0 If the deliver option is selected, the process goes to step 308-6. If the caller has hung up, the process goes to step 309, if no valid message has been recorded, and to step 310, if a valid message has been recorded.

W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 In step 308-6, the confirmation number routine is performed. This routine supplies the caller with a confirmation number which may be used later to verify the delivery status of the mess~ge.
Fig. 3c is a flow diagram of a record mess~ge menu subprocess of step 308-2 of Fig. 3b. Record mecs,~ge menu 308-2 is entered from either step 308-1 or step 308-9. In either case, menu 308-2 begins with step 308-2-1, in which it is determined whether menu 308-2 is being reentered from step 308-9 or is being entered for the first time from step 308-1. If menu 308-2 is not being reentered, the process goes to step 308-2-3. If menu 308-2 is being reentered, the process goes to step 308-2-2, in which it is deterrnined whether the maximum allowed number of menu attempts has been excee~le~l If the allowed menu attempts have been exceeded, the process goes to step 309, in which the process is canceled. If the allowed menu attempts have not been exceeded, the process goes to step 308-2-6.
In step 308-2-3, the initial ~lu~ L to the caller is played. In step 308-2-6, the process verifies whether the caller's name was recorded in step 210.
If not, the process attempts to record the caller's name. If, after the allowed number of attempts, the caller's name has not been successfully recorded, - step 308-2-6 fails and the process goes to step 309, in which the process is canceled. If the caller's name has been successfully recorded, the process goes to step 308-2-8, in which the process aLLell~L~, to record the caller's message. If, after the allowed number of attempts, the caller's message has .

W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96120343 not been successfully recorded, step 308-2-8 fails and the process goes to step 309, in which the process is canceled. If the caller's mess~ge has been successfully recorded, the process goes to step 308-2-9, in which it is determined whether the caller has hung up. If the caller has hung up, the S process goes to step 308-2-10, in which the message is (lueued to message delivery routine 400. The process then prepares for m~~~ e delivery routine 400, beginnin~ at step 310 of Fig. 3a. If the caller has not hung up, the process goes to step 308-2-11, in which it is determined whether menu 308-2 was entered from Erase/Rerecord routine 308-9. If menu 308-2 was entered from Erase/Rerecord routine 308-9, the process goes to options menu 308-5 of Fig. 3b. If menu 308-2 was entered from step 308-1, ~he process goes to offer options menu 308-3 of Fig. 3b.
Further description of the record message menu of Lhe present invention may be found in the exemplary Record Message Menu Pseudocode Program Listing A in the appendix.
Fig. 3d is a flow diagram of an offer options menu subprocess of step 308-3 o~ Fig. 3b. Menu 308-3 is entered from step 308-2. Menu 308-3 begins with step 308-3-1 in which it is determined whether the allowable number of attempts has been exceeded. If so, the process goes to step 309, in which the process is canceled. If not, the process goes to step 308-3-3, in which the caller is ~ro~ ted to select more options. In step 308-3~, it is determined whether the caller selected more options. If so~ the process goes W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 to step 308-5, the options menu. If not, the process goes to step 308-3-5, in which it is determined whether the caller selected connection to an operator.
If so, the caller is connected to an operator. If not, the process loops back to step 308-3-1.
Further description of the record message menu of the present invention may be found in the exemplary Offer Options Menu Pseudocode Program Listing B in the appendix.
Fig. 3e is a flow diagram of an options menu subprocess of step 308-5 of Fig. 3b. Menu 308-5 is entered from either step 308-2, step 308-3, or step 308-4 of Fig. 3b. Menu 308-5 begins with step 308-5-1 in which the caller is prompted to enter an option. In step 308-5-2, the process receives the option selection entered by the caller. In step 308-5-3, it is determined whether or not the caller has hung up. If the caller has not hung up, the process goes to step 308-5-6. If the caller has hung up, the process goes to step 308-5-4, in which it is determined whether or not a message was recorded. If no mes.s~ge was recorded, the process goes to step 309, in which the process is canceled. If a message was recorded, the process goes to step 308-5-5, in which the mPss~ge is queued to message delivery routine - 400. The process then prepares for message delivery routine 400, beginnin~
at step 310 of Fig. 3a.
In step 308-5-6, it is determined whether the caller has entered a selection or timed out without entering a selection. If the caller has timed W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 out, the process goes to step 308-5-13. If the caller has entered a selection, the process goes to step 308-5-7, in which it is deterrnined whether the deliver message option was selected. If so, the process goes to step 308-6, the confirmation number routine. If not, the process goes to step 308-5-8, 5 in which it is determined whether the play message option was selected. If so, the process goes to step 308-4, in which the m-o~.c~ge is played. If not, the process goes to step 308-5-9, in which it is deterrnined whether the add to message option was selected. If so, the process goes to step 308-7, the append me~s~ge routine. If not, the process goes to step 308-5-10, in which 10 it is determined whether the erase/rerecord option was selected. If so, the process goes to step 308-9, in which the recorded me~s~e is deleted. If not, the process goes to step 308-5-11, in which it is determined whether cancel was selected. If so, the process goes to step 309, in which the message is canceled. If not, the process goes to step 308-5-12, in which it is determined 15 whether the connect to an operator option was selected. If so, the caller is connected to an operator. If not, all valid selections have been checked, so the selection entered by the caller is invalid and the process goes to step 308-5-13.
In step 308-5-13, it is determined whether the maximum allowed number 20 of option selection attempts have been exceeded. If so, the process goes to step 308-6, the confirmation number routine. If not, the process goes to step 308-5-1 and the option menu is repeated.

WO 97/24863 PCTrUS96/203~3 Further description of the record message menu of the present invention may be found in the exemplary Options Menu Pseudocode Program Listing C~ in the appendix.
Fig. 3f is a flow diagram of an append me,cs~ge subprocess of step 308-7 of Fig. 3b. Process 308-7 is entered from step 308-5 of Fig. 3b. Process 308-7 begins with step 308-7-1, in which the caller is prompted to record an additional message. In step 308-7-2, the caller records the additional message. In step 308-7-3, it is determined whether recording of the additional message was successfuh If not, the process goes to step 308-5, the options menu. If so, the process goes to step 308-7-4 in which it is determined whether recording of the additional message is valid. If the recording is valid, the process goes to step 308-7-9, in which the newly recorded mess~ge is appended to the original message. The process then goes to step 308-5, the options menu. If not, the process goes to step 308-7-5, in which it is determined whether the caller selected to be connected to an operator. If so, the caller is conn~cte~l to an operator. If not, the process goes to step 308-7-6, in which it is determined whether the caller has hung up. If not, the process goes to step 308-7-1 and the append message routine is repeated. If so, the process goes to step 308-7-7, in which it is determined whether the caller recorded a valid original message. If not, the process is canceled. If so, the process goes to step 308-7-8, in which the message is W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/ZO343 queued to message delivery routine 400. The process then prepares for message delivery routine 400, beginning at step 310 of Fig. 3a.
Further description of the record message menu of the present invention may be found in the exemplary Append Message Menu Pseudocode Program ~ icting D in the appendix.
Fig. 3g is a flow diagram of a confirmation number subprocess of step 308-6 of Fig. 3b. Process 308-6 is entered from step 308-5 of Fig. 3b.
Process 308-6 begins with step 308-6-1, in which a recorded message is queued to message delivery routine 400. In step 308-6-2, it is determined whether the queue was successful. If not, the process goes to step 309, in which the me~s~ge is canceled. If so, the process goes to step 308-6-3, in which a confirmation number is generated. In step 308-6~, a closing informational mess~e, including the confirm~tion message, is played to the caller. The process then prepares for message delivery routine 400, begtnning at step 310 of Fig. 3a.
Further description of the record message menu of the present invention may be found in the exemplary Confirmation Number Routine Pseudocode Program Listing E in the appendix.
Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of message delivery process 400, implemented in system 100 in conjunction with network 102, in accordance with the present invention. Process 400 begins with step 402, in which MCP 144 determines that the time scheduled in step 320 of Fig. 3 for delivery of a W O 97/24863 PCT~US96/20343 message has arrived. In step 404, MCP 144 tr~n~mit~ a comm~n-l to MP-AS
146 which causes MP-AS 146 to originate a call to the messaging system 100 through bridging switch 106. The comm~n(l includes a key to the message information record stored on MCP 144 which contains the message file 5 reference number and the caller name file reference number which identify the message to be delivered. The MP-AS origin~tes the call using a special access number which causes the desired routing to occur. The automatic number identi~lcation (ANI) mess~ge associated with the call contains the key to the message information record stored in MCP 144. In step 406, the audio 10 portion of the call from MP-AS 146 is connected and routed to ARU-AS
134. The data portion of the call including the ANI is extracted by ACD 124 and sent to ACP 142 via ISNAP 136. In step 408, ACP 142 uses the key contained in the ANI mess~ge to access the m-osS~ge information record stored in MCP 144. In step 410, ACP 142 transmits a comm~n-i to ARU-AS
15 134 which causes ARU-AS to originate a call to the termin~ting number and connect the call from MP-AS 146 to the newly origin~t~ call in a collfelellce call. In step 412, ACP 142 determines whether the call to the terrnin~ting number was answered or whether there was ring-no-answer ~RNA) or busy.
If there was RNA or busy, the process continues with step 414 in which 20 MCP 144 schedules another message delivery attempt call for a later time.
The process then loops to step 402. If the termin~ting number answers the call, the process continues with step 416, in which ACP 142 comm~ncl~

W 097/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 ARU-AS 134 to play a prompt which informs the called party of the message. In step 418, A(:~P 142 tr~n~mits a comm~nt7 to MCP 144 which in turn comm~n~l~ MP-AS 146 to play the caller's recorded name, which identifies the originator of the message to the called party. In step 420, ACP
142 comm~n~ AR~J-AS 134 to prompt the called party to accept the message. In step 422, ACP 142 determines whether the called party accepts the message. If the called party does not accept the message, the process continues with step 424, in which the call is terminated and step 426, in which unbilled billing information is created. This billing information causes billing system 140 to bill no one for the call. The process then ends. If the called party accepts the me~s~e, the process continues wi~h step 428, in which ACP 142 CO~ MCP 144 which in turn com m~n~ MP-AS 146 to play the message to the called party. In step 430, A~P 142 com m~nfls ACD 124, Yia ISNAP 136, to release the call while MP-AS 146 plays the message. In step 432, billed billing information is created. This billing information causes billing system 140 to bill the call to the called party. The process then ends.
Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be seen by those of skill in the art that other embodiments which are e~uivalent are possible.
-W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 AppendLY
Copyright 1994, 1995 MCI Corporation RECORD ~IESSAGE MENU - PSEUDOCODE PROGRAM LISTING A
if global recollection counter e,~cceeded Pla~ "We rearet we are unable to complele your call..."
Flush caller.
Re~urn ~IENU_CALL_COi~PLETFD.
if this was not a menu re-entrv Clear menu attempts for this menu.
Bump peacount for number of times messenoer is offered to callers:
broken out by RNA/BUSY/~IACHINE answer detection.
Pla~ "Welcome to Collect ~Iessage Service."
Pla~ "You have asked to record a mess~ae to be delivered la~er."
Pla~ "~ICI will make up IO 8 attempts to deliver your collecl messaae"
else Clear menu re-entry flaa.
if menu altempts have been e,Yceeded for this menu Pla~ "We did not record a messa~e."
Pla~ "Ple:~se hang up and trv your call a~_ain."
Pla~ "Than~; vou for usino 1-800-Collect ~Iessaae Service."
Cleanup menu.
Flush caller.
Wrile BDR with term method ~IT FLUSH. term sta~us B0R_STAT_RECORD _ FAIL .
Rerurn ~IENU_CALL _ CO~IPLETED.
Increment menu atternpts for this menu.
Loop ~I~X_NA~IE_~ECORD_RETRIES times:
if caller hasn't recorded their name Clear File Path.
Get File Path out of confi~uration file.
- Cle.~r Name File Name.
Genera~e unique Name File ~ame.

Record name wilh parameters:
DEFAULT LA~GUAGE, STOP ON KE~ PRESS
MAX RECORD TI~IE = 4 seconds MAX LEADI~G SILENCE = '~ seconds 3!~AX TRAILING SILENCE = 2 seconds BEEP = Yes ;~eep after instructions PMODE_CLEAR_DT~F, Don t append.
File Path.
l!~ame File ~ame.
Play "Please say your name al the tone."
if Name was recorded Set flag to indicale ~iame was recorded.
Bre~k out of loop.
else Play "We did nol record a name."
if caller slill hasn l recorded their name Play "Please han~ up and tr~ your call again."
Plav "Thank ~ou for using Collect ~~~lltng Service."
Wrile BDR with term method ~IT_ORIG_DISC, terrn status BDR_STAT_RECORD_FAIL.
Cleanup menu.
Flush caller.
Return MENU_CALL_CO~IPLETED.
if caller hungup Write BDR with term me{hod MT_ORIG_DISC, term s~atus BDR _ STAT_MESSENGE~
Cleanup menu.
Flush caller.
Return MENU_CALL_CO~IPLETED.
Play "Please record your message after Ihe tone."
Clear File Path.
Get File Path OUI of configuration file.
Clear Message File Name.
Generale Message File Name based on unique ~1lename of Name File Name.
Record message wilh paramelers:

W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 DEFAULT LANGUAGE
STOP Ol~i' KEY P~ESS
~AX RECORD TIME = 240 seconds MAX LEADING SILENCE = ~ seconds MAX TR~ILING SILENCE--2 seconds BEEP = Yes ;beep after instructions PMODE CLEAR_DTMF, Don't append, File Path.
~ame File Name.
Plav "Press '*' ~~hen you are ~lr~shed."
if Voice recorder failed Cleanup menu.
Prepare tO relry ~his menu.
Don't coum this as a menu attempt.
Golo start of this menu (return).
if messaae recording was maximum Set flag to indicale mess~ae was recorded.
Play "Your message is four mimltes long."
Tie Time slamp. zone, and Dayli~ht savings indic~or to Ihe messace.
Bump peacount ~or Cl8_~1ESSAGE_ATTE~vIPT BY_CALLER.
else if messac~e recordinc~ was invalid Set flag IO indica~e messaae was not recorded.
Plav "We did not record a message."
Bump peC~coum for Cl~_MESSAGE_ATTE~IPT_BY C.~LLER.
Cle~nup this menu.
Prepare to retry this menu.
Goto start of this menu (return).
else if operator was selected Set TTC value (TTC_XFERPOINT, TTC XFER_INIT_PRO~vIPT).
Bump pec~count C l 8_XFER_REQUESTED .
Transfer to m~nll~ 1 (SCRP_HOLD_XFER, SCRP_HOLD ~;FER
Cleanup this menu.
- Return ~IENU_CALL_COMPLETED.
if caller hun~up if a messaae has been recorded Queue messaae to Messa~e Platforrn.

W O 97/24863 PCT~US96/20343 3~

Cleanup this menu.
Wrile BDR, term method MT_ORIG_DISC~ term sLams B~R_STAT_DISC ON~-ECT .
Return MENU_CALL_COMPLETED.
Wrile BDR with terrn method MT_NEW_CALL, term status BDR_STAT_NOP.~IAT
if this menu was entered from Erase/Rerecord option Cleanup Ihis menu.
Call ~vIessenger Options Menu (renlrn~.
Cleanup this menu.
Prepare to reenter Options menu.
Call ~Iessen~er Offer Options Menu (return).

OFFER OPTIO~ IE~U - PSEUDOCODE PROG~I LISTING B
if this was not a menu re-entry Clear menu attemp~s for this menu.
else Cle~r menu re-entry flag Increment menu a~temp~s for this menu.
if Options desired per otto.ctg (PARAM_~IESSENGER_OPTIONS_~E~-U
ACTIVE Y) Loop (PARA~ IESSENGER_OFFER_OPTIONS_~IE~-U
MA~; MENU_ATTE~IPTS~ times:
if Configuration number desired per otto.c~
(MESS~NGER_CONFIRl~/I NU~fIBER ACTI~-E Y) Play "Please hold for your confirrnation number."
if Oplions menu cannot be relried Brea~; ou~ of loop.
Play "Press " 1 " now for more options. "
Play "Or, ~ou mav hangup and vour messa~e will be delivered."
if caller entered " 1 "
DT~IF is valid.
Messenger Options have been sel~cted.

-else if caller did no~ enter ' 1 ' DT~IF is valid.
else if caller selecled operator Set TTC value (TTC_XFFRPOINT, TTC_XFER_INIT_PRO~vIPT) .
Burnp peacsunt C 18_XFE~_RFQUESTED.
Transfer to m~nl1~1 (SCRP_HOLD_XFER, SCRP_HOLD_XF~R) Cleanup this menu.
Return ~IE~-U_CALL CO~IPLETED.
else Continue looping if OTMF is valid Break out of loop.
if more attempts for Options Menu remain and DT~F is valid if user en~ered ' 1 ' (se~ected Oplions) Cleanup this menu.
Call ~lessenger Options Menu (return).
if user hungup if a mess~ge was recorded Queue message tO ~Iessage Platform.
Wrile BDR with term me~hod MT_ORIG_DISC, term status BD~_STAT_DISCONNECT.
Cle~nup this menu.
Return ~ENU_CALL_CO~IPLETED.
Call Messaae Confirrnalion Number routine.
if Messa_e Confirmation Number routine failed to queue the messaae Play "Your message has not been accepted."
Play "Please han~up and trv vour call again."
Play "Than~; you for using Collect 2vIess~ge Service."
Write BDR with ~erm method ~vIT_FLI~SH. term sta~us BDR
STAT NORMAL.
Flush the cal~er.
- Cleanup this menu.
Return MENU_CALL COMPLETED.

W O 97/24863 PCT~US96120343 OPTIOl~-S l~l~NU - PSEUDOCODE PROGR9.l~I LISTING C

if this ~as not a menu re-entry Clear menu altempts for this menu.
Sel ~Ienu reen~ry flag to true for ne~t invocalion of this menu.
if menu altempls have been exceeded for this menu Cleanup menu.
C~~ lessenoer Confirmation number routine.
Return ~vIENU_CALL_COMPLETED.
Incrent.~nl menu attempts for this menu.
Play "To deliver your messaae~ press 'I' now."
Play "To listen to this message, press '2' now."
if current messa~e has at leas~ thirty seconds before m~ximi7in~ out Pla~ "To add to this message, press '3 now."
Play "To erase and rerecord your message, press '4' now."
Play "To cancel this messaae and e,Yit the svstem. press '5' now."
if use; hunaup iI a message was recorded Queue message to Messa~e Platfo~n.
~ Vrite BDR with term merhod MT_ORIG DISC. term slatus BDR STAT_DISCONNECT.
Cleanup this menu.
R-turn ME~U_CALL_COMPLETED.
if user selected ' 1 ' (DELIVER) C~ Iessenaer Con~lrmalion Number routine.
Pl~ "Thank you for usino 1-800-Collect Messaae Service."
Wrile BDR with term method MT_FLUSH, term status BDR STAT_~-ORMAL.
Cleanup menu.
Re~urn ~IENIJ_CALL COMPLETED.
else ir user selected '~' (PLAY) Pla~ recorded messa~e to user.
ir user hunoup i~' a message was recorded Qu messa~e ~o Message Plalforrn.

W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96t20343 Wri~e BDR with ~erm method l~IT_ORIG_DISC, term status BDR_STAT_DISCO~NECT .
Cleanup menu.
Return ~vIENU_CALL_COMPLETED.
else Prepare for reemrv to this menu.
Call ~Iessenger Options Menu (return).
else if user selecred '3'( ADO) if current message has al leasl thirr~ seconds before maximi7in~ out Call ~Iessenger Append Message routine.
if Messenger Append Messa~e routine indicates DONE
Cleanup this menu.
Remrn ~IE~U_CALL_COMPLETED.
else Play "Your mess~e length is the maximum allowed.
You may not add to this message."
Cleanup menu.
Prepare lo reenter this menu.
Call ~vIessen~er Options Menu (remrn).
else if user selecled '4' (ER~SEIRERECORD) while (No more available attempts ~or RecordMessageMenu) Decrement total menu attempts for RecordMessage~Ienu.
Cleanup menu.
Set flag indic~ling erase,rerecord ~~as selected.
Get audio server name (node~.
Delete recorded message file frorn local NAS.
Se~ flag to indicate messa~e is not recorded.
Play "Your message has been erased."
Prepare to re~r~ messa~e creation.
Call Record ~Iessage ~Ieml (return').
else if user selecled '~' (CA~CLL~
Ensure at le~sl one more ~ttempl can be made to Record a message:
Get audio ser~1 er name tnode! .
Delete recorded name file from local NAS.
Set flag to indicate name is not recorded.
~ Delele recorded messa~e file from local NAS.
Set flag to indicate mcssa~e is not recorded.

W 097/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 Pla~ "Your messa~e has been erased."
Plav "Thank you for usin~ Collect Message Service."
Flush caller.
Wrile BDR with terrn method MT_FLUSH, terrn statLls BDR_STAT_MESSAGE ER~SE.
Return MENU_CALL COMPLETED.
else if user selected operator Set TTC value (TTC XFE~POINT, TTC_XFER_INIT_PROMPT).
Bump pegcount C 1 8_XFER REQUESTED .
Transfer to m~nl~l (SCRP_HOLD_~FER, SCRP_HOLD XFER) Cle~nup this menu.
Remrn ME~U_CALL COl~IPLETED .
else if invalid seleclion if attempts for this menu have been e~cceeded Invoke Confirrnation number routine.
else (attempts remaiIl!
Play "We cannot process your response."
Prepare ~or reenterin~ Ihis menu.
Call ~Iessenger Options ~;Ienu ~rehlrn).
else (inpul timeout) if atlempts for Ihis menu have been e,~cceeded Invoke Confirrnation num~er routine.
else ~attempts remain) Play "I do not understand vour response."
Prepare for reenterin~ this menu.
Call Messen~er Options Menu ~ return).
Cleanup menu.
Return ~IENU_CALL_COl~IPLETED.

APPENI) MESS.~GE ~IE,~-U - PSEUDOCODE PROGRA~vl LISTING D

W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 Loop for ~PA~A~I_MESSE~GER_OPTIO~S_~IENU
ME~U_ATTEMPTS) times:
Play "Please begin speakin<J after the tone."
Record message:
DFLT_LANG~AGE, ON_KEY_STOP, (PARAM_REC ORD_MES SAGE_MENU
~IAX RECORD TIME) - length already recorded7 PARA~I_RECORD _ MESSAGE_MENU
~L~_LEADING_SILENCE 20 ;~n tenths of a second PARA~I _ RECORD _ MESSAGE _ ~IENU
~vIAX_TRAILING_SILENCE 20 ;in tenths of a second PAR~ RECORD_~IESSAGE_MENU BEEP
Y :beep after instructions PMO~E_CLEAR DTMF~
Append File Path.
Message File Name.
Play "Press '*' when you are finished "
if ~/oice recorder sllccee~
Break out of loop.
else Play "We did not record a message."
if Voice recorder f~iled (P.~RAM_MESSE~iGER_OPTIONS_~IE~U
~IA.~_~IENU_ATTEMPTS! times Cleanup menu.
Se~ rlag to indicate mess~ge was not recorded Prepare Options menu for reentrv.
Call ~lessen~er Options Menu.
else if recordin~ is valid Set flaa to indicate message was recorded if recording lenath was ma~imized Play "Your message is four minllt~s long."
Write BDR with term method ~IT_NEW_CALL. term stalus BDR_ST.~T_NORMAL .
Cleanup menu.

W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 Prepare Op~ions menu for reentry.
Call ~Iessen~er Options Menu.
else if user selected operator Set flag to indicate messa~e was not recorded Set TTC value (TTC_XFERP~INT, TTC_XFER_I~ IT P~O~IPT).
Bump pegcount C18_XFER_REQUESTED.
Transfer to m~nll~l (SCRP_~OLD_XFER, SCRP_HOLD_XFER) Cleanup this menu.
Return DONE.
else Se~ flag to indicate messa~e was not recorded if user hun~up if a message was recorded m~s~e to Message Platform Wri~e BDR with term method ~IT_ORIG_DISC, term status BDR_STAT_DISCONNECT.
Cleanup this menu.
Re~urn DONE.
Return NOT_DONE

CO.~FIRMATION ~-UMBER ROUTINE - PSEUDOCODE PROGRA~I
LISTING E

message to Message Platform.
if message queue failed Play "Your messa~e has not been accepted."
Play "Please han~up and try your call a_ain."
Play "Thar~; you for using Collect Message Service."
Write BDR with terrn method MT_FLUSH. term status BDR_STAT_~ ORMAL.
Return.
Play "Your message has been recorded."

W O 97/24863 PCTrUS96/20343 if Confillllalion number confi_ured (M~SSENGER_CO~FIRM_NUMBER ACTIVE = Y) if user hungup Write BDR with term method MT_ORlG_DISC, term status BDR_STAT_DIS C ONNECT .
R~urn.
Play "Your confirmation number is the phone number you dialed plus three more digits."
Play "The complele number is..."
Play slr;.n~ (conca~enated called number T confirmation nUmber).
Play "A~ain. the last three digits of your confirmation number are..."
Play string (3 digil Confirmation number) if Deli~erv status number cor~l~ured ~MESSENGER_DELIVERY _ STATUS NUMBER ACTIVE Y) Play "To check on the delivery status ~f your messa~e call"
Play " < < 18C Collect Status Number > > ".
Play "within 36 hours."
Play " ~gain. that number is..."
Play ' < < 18C Collect Status Num~er> ~"
Play "ThanL; vou for using Collect Message Service."
Wrile BDR ~~ith terrn method MT_FLUSH. term status BDR_STAT ~OR~IAL.
Remrn.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. In a telecommunications network comprising a public switched telephone network and a messaging platform, a method of delivering voice mail messages from a caller placing a collect call from a calling station to a called party at a called station, comprising the steps of:
A) connecting the collect call from the calling station to the messaging platform;
B) collecting, at the messaging platform, information identifying the called station of the collect call from the caller;
C) originating a completion call from the messaging platform to the called station using the public switched telephone network;
D) detecting at the messaging platform whether the completion call is answered by the called station;
E) obtaining at the messaging platform a voice message from the caller if the completion call is not answered; and F) attempting to deliver the message to the called party from the messaging platform.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of attempting to deliver the message to the called party from the messaging platform comprises the steps of:

playing back the voice message to the caller, appending an additional voice message to the voice message, erasing and rerecording the voice message, canceling the voice message, and delivering the voice message.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of recording the voice message comprises the steps of:
J) prompting the caller to record the voice message;
K) recording the name of the caller; and L) recording the voice message of the caller.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the selected optional function is appending an additional voice message to the voice message and the step of performing the selected optional function comprises the steps of:
J) prompting the caller to record an additional voice message;
K) recording the additional voice message; and L) appending the additional voice message to the voice message.

11. In a telecommunications network comprising a public switched telephone network and a messaging platform, a method of delivering voice mail messages from a caller placing a collect call from a calling station to a called party at a called station, comprising the steps of:
A) receiving a collect call at the messaging platform;

B) determining whether the called station answers the collect call;
C) completing the collect call normally, if the called station answers;
D) attempting to obtain a voice message from the caller, if the called station does not answer;
E) deleting and canceling any message recorded, if the attempt to obtain a voice message from the caller is unsuccessful;
F) attempting to call the called station to deliver the voice message, if a voice message was successfully obtained;
G) prompting the called party to accept the voice message, if the called station answers;
H) playing the voice message to the called party, if the called party accepts the voice message; and I) charging the called station for the voice message, if the called party accepts the voice message.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the messaging platform comprises a bridging switch and the step of receiving a call at the messaging platform comprises the steps of:
J) recognizing in the public switched telephone network a collect calling service access number; and 4) recording a voice message from the caller, if the caller accepts voice messaging service, 5) generating an indicator identifying the recorded voice message, when recording of the voice message is completed, 6) assigning a confirmation number to the recorded voice message, 7) informing the caller of the confirmation number, 8) terminating the call from the calling station, 9) generating billing information indicating that no charge is to be made for the collect call, and 10) transmitting a message indicating that a voice message has been recorded;
K) retrieving the recorded voice message from the audio response unit/audio server to the messaging platform audio server;
L) scheduling a delivery time for the recorded voice message in the message control processor; and M) storing the indicator identifying the recorded voice message in the audio response unit/audio server.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of attempting to call the called station to deliver the voice message, if a voice message was successfully obtained comprises the steps of:

J) determining at the message control processor, whether the scheduled delivery time for the recorded voice message has arrived;
K) transmitting a command from the message control processor to the messaging platform audio server, the command causing the messaging platform audio server to originate a call to the messaging platform;
L) routing the call originated by the messaging platform audio server to the audio response unit/audio server;
M) originating a delivery call from the audio response unit/audio server to the called number specified in the indicator identifying the recorded voice message stored on the audio response unit/audio server;
and N) detecting, at the audio response unit/audio server, whether the called station answers the delivery call.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of prompting the called party to accept the voice message comprises the steps of:
J) informing the called party of that a voice message is available from the audio response unit/audio server;
K) playing the caller's name from the messaging platform audio server;
L) prompting the called party to accept the voice message from the audio response unit/audio server; and M) detecting whether the called party accepts the voice message.

21. The method 18, further comprising:
charging the called party for delivery of the message, if the message is delivered to the called party.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
generating a confirmation number with which the caller may obtain the delivery status of the voice message and playing it to the caller.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of obtaining a voice message from a caller at the calling telephone station comprises the steps of:
F) recording the voice message from the caller;
G) prompting the caller to select at least one optional function;
H) receiving the selection from the caller; and I) performing the selected optional function.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the optional function is selected from a list of optional functions comprising playing back the message to the caller, recording an additional message from the caller and appending it to the message, erasing and rerecording the message, canceling the message, and delivering the message to the called party.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of recording the voice message from the caller comprises the steps of:
J) prompting the caller to record the voice message;
K) attempting to record the name of the caller; and L) attempting to record the voice message of the caller.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of recording an additional message comprises the steps of:
J) prompting the caller to record an additional message; and K) attempting to record the additional message.

27. A system for delivering voice mail messages from a caller placing a collect call from a calling station to a called party at a called station using a public switched telephone network, comprising:
A) a collector, coupled to the public switched telephone network, collecting information identifying the called station of the collect call from the caller;
B) a completion call generator, originating a completion call to the called station using the public switched telephone network;
C) an answer detector, detecting whether the completion call is answered by the called station;

D) a voice message recorder, obtaining a voice message from the caller, if the completion call is not answered; and E) a message delivery system, attempting to deliver the message to the called party.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the message delivery system comprises:
E-1) a message call generator, originating a message delivery call to the called station;
E-2) an audio prompter, prompting the called party to accept delivery of the voice message, if the called party answers the message delivery call; and E-3) a message delivery device, delivering the voice message, if the called party accepts delivery of the voice message.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the message delivery system further comprises:
a delivery scheduling device, scheduling a time at which a message delivery call is to be made;

30. The system of claim 27, further comprising:
a billing system, billing the called party for the message, if the called party accepts the message.

B-3) an optional function selection receiver receiving the selection from the caller; and B-4) an optional function unit performing the optional function selected.

40. The collect-call voice mail messaging system of claim 39, wherein the optional function unit comprises:
B-4-1) a playback unit playing back the message to the caller;
B-4-2) a message appending unit recording an additional message from the caller and appending it to the message;
B-4-3) a message deletion unit erasing the message;
B-4-4) a message cancellation unit canceling the message; and B-4-5) a message delivery unit delivering the message to the called party.

41. The collect-call voice mail messaging system of claim 39, wherein the voice message recorder comprises:
B-1-1) a message generator prompting the caller to record the voice message;
B-1-2) a voice name recorder attempting to record the name of the caller; and B-1-3) a voice message recorder attempting to record the voice message of the caller.

42. The collect-call voice mail messaging system of claim 40, wherein the message appending unit comprises a message generator prompting the caller to record an additional message and a voice message recorder attempting to record the additional message.

G) originating a message delivery call from the messaging platform to the called station;
H) prompting the called party to accept delivery of the voice message, if the called party answers the message delivery call; and I) delivering the voice message, if the called party accepts delivery of the voice message.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of:
billing the called party for the message, if the called party accepts the message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of attempting to deliver the message to the called party from the messaging platform comprises the steps of:
G) scheduling a time at which a message delivery call is to be made;
H) originating a message delivery call to the called station at the scheduled time;

I) detecting whether the message delivery call is answered;
J) repeating steps G, H, and I until the message delivery call is answered or the message delivery call goes unanswered a predetermined number of times;

K) prompting the called party to accept delivery of the voice message, if the message delivery call is answered; and L) delivering the voice message, if the called party accepts delivery of the voice message.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:
billing the called party for the voice message, if the called party accepts the voice message.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
assigning the caller a confirmation number for obtaining the delivery status of the voice message from the messaging platform.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the voice message comprises the steps of:
G) recording the voice message with the audio server at the messaging platform;
H) prompting the caller to select at least one optional function, regarding handling of the voice message; and I) performing the selected optional function.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one optional function is selected from a list of optional functions consisting of:

K) routing the collect call from the public switched telephone network to the bridging switch of the messaging platform based on the access number.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the messaging platform further comprises an automatic call distributor, a bridging switch, an application processor and a plurality of operator groups including an automated response unit/audio server and a manual telephone operator console, and the step of determining whether the called station answers the collect call comprises the steps of:
J) routing the collect call from the bridging switch to the automatic call distributor;
K) selecting, at the application processor, the operator group to which the call is to be routed based on the called number;
L) routing the collect call from the automatic call distributor to the selected operator group;
M) collecting, at the selected operator group, information identifying the called station of the collect call from the caller;
N) putting the collect call on hold at the bridging switch;
O) originating a completion call from the operator group to the called station; and P) detecting whether the called station answers the completion call.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of completing the collect call normally, if the called station answers, comprises the steps of:
J) prompting, at the audio response unit/audio server, the called party to accept the collect call;
K) detecting whether the called party accepts the collect call;
L) releasing the completion call from the bridging switch and extending the collect call to the called station, if the called party accepts the collect call; and M) releasing the called station and informing the caller, if the called party does not accept the collect call.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the messaging platform further comprises a message control processor and a messaging platform audio server, including an audio response unit/audio server and the step of attempting to obtain a voice message from the caller, if the called station does not answer comprises the steps of:
J) in the audio response unit/audio server, performing the steps of:
1) prompting the caller to accept voice messaging service, 2) detecting whether the caller accepts voice messaging service, 3) terminating the call, if the caller does not accept voice messaging service, M) detecting whether the called party accepts the voice message.

18. A method of delivering collect-voice mail message comprising the steps of:
A) detecting an unanswered collect call from a calling telephone station to a called telephone station;
B) obtaining a voice message from a caller at the calling telephone station and recording the voice message at an audio response unit/audio server;
C) originating a notification call to the called telephone station;
D) notifying the called party at the called telephone station of the voice message when the called party answers the notification call; and E) playing the voice message to the called party at the called telephone station when the called party accepts the voice message.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:
a plurality of notification calls to the called telephone station are originated until the called telephone station is answered.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein:
a plurality of notification calls to the called telephone station are originated until the called telephone station is answered or the number of calls exceeds a predetermined number.

31. The system of claim 27, further comprising:
a confirmation number generator, generating a confirmation number for obtaining the delivery status of the voice message from the messaging platform.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the voice message recorder comprises:
D-1) an audio recorder recording the voice message;
D-2) an first audio prompter, prompting the caller to select at least one optional function, regarding handling of the voice message; and D-3) an optional function performance device, performing the selected optional function.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the at least one optional function is selected from a list of optional functions consisting of:
playing back the voice message to the caller, appending an additional voice message to the voice message, erasing and rerecording the voice message, canceling the voice message, and delivering the voice message.

34. A collect-call voice mail messaging system for a public switched telephone network, comprising:

A) a detector coupled to the public switched telephone network for sensing an unanswered collect call from a calling telephone station to a called telephone station;
B) a voice message audio server coupled to the public switched telephone network for prompting for and receiving a voice message from a caller at the calling telephone station;
C) a message call generator coupled to the public switched telephone network for originating a call to the called telephone station subsequent to the voice message audio server having received the voice message from the caller;
D) a voice notification unit coupled to the message call generator for generating a second voice message informing the called party at the called telephone station of the first voice message when the called party answers the call from the message call generator; and E) a voice message unit for playing the first voice message to the called party at the called telephone station when the called party accepts the first voice message.

35. The collect-call voice mail messaging system of claim 34, wherein the message call generator originates a plurality of calls to the called telephone station until the called telephone station is answered.

36. The collect-call voice mail messaging system of claim 34, wherein the message call generator originates a plurality of calls to the called telephone station until the called telephone station is answered or the number of calls exceeds a predetermined number.

37. The collect-call voice mail messaging system of claim 34, further comprising:
a billing system for generating billing information so that the called party is charged for delivery of the message if the message is delivered to the called party.

38. The collect-call voice mail messaging system of claim 34, further comprising:
a confirmation number unit for generating a confirmation number and playing it to the caller, the caller obtaining the delivery status of the voice message from the confirmation number.

39. The collect-call voice mail messaging system of claim 34, wherein the voice message audio server comprises:
B-1) a voice message recorder recording the voice message from the caller;
B-2) a message generator promoting the caller to select at least one optional function;