Charge minimizing callback system

An apparatus for minimizing telephone charges comprising:

• a telephone line, and
• a digital computer for;
• receiving preconnection information on the telephone line in response to an incoming call from a caller on the telephone line,
• examining the preconnection information to determine a number corresponding to a telephone from which the incoming call was initiated without answering the incoming call,
• examining the preconnection information to determine if the call was initiated from a pay phone,
• answering the incoming phone call if it was not initiated from a pay phone,
• not answering the incoming call if the incoming call was initiated from a pay phone, and
• dialing the number corresponding to the telephone from which the incoming call was placed,
• prompting the caller to input an identification code,
• receiving an identification code input by the caller and determining the identification of the caller based on the identification code,
• disconnecting the return call if the identification number is unauthorized,
• completing the return call if the identification number is authorized, and
• producing an incoming call notification alarm if the return call was completed.

A method of minimizing phone charges on telephone calls made by a caller on a pay phone to a callee, comprising:

• receiving preconnection information transmitted to a callee's telephone in response to an incoming call from a caller,
• examining the preconnection information received on the callee's telephone line and determining the caller's telephone number and whether the incoming call originated from a pay phone without answering the incoming call,
• if the incoming call originated from a pay phone, disconnecting and not completing the incoming call once the caller's number has been obtained,
• automatically placing a return call from the callee phone by dialing the caller's telephone number;
• and
• producing a return call indication that indicates to the callee that a return call is being automatically placed.

An apparatus for automatically minimizing phone charges on telephone calls made by a caller to a callee, comprising:

• a telephone line, and
• processing means for;
• receiving preconnection information on the telephone line in response to an incoming call from the caller on the telephone line,
• examining the preconnection information to determine a number corresponding to a telephone from which the incoming call was initiated and the type of the telephone of the caller without answering the incoming call, and wherein the type of the phone being in a group of pay phone, cellular phone, mobile phone or collect call, and
• if the incoming call originated from a telephone being in the group of pay phone, cellular phone, mobile phone or collect call, not answering the incoming call, and automatically dialing the number corresponding to the telephone from which the incoming call was initiated.

A method of minimizing phone charges comprising:

• receiving preconnection information transmitted to a callee's toll free telephone line in response to an incoming call from a caller,
• examining the preconnection information and determining the caller's telephone number without answering the incoming call,
• examining the preconnection information and determining whether or not the incoming call was placed from a pay phone without answering the incoming call,
• completing the call if it is determined that the incoming call was not placed from a pay phone,
• not completing the incoming call if it is determined the incoming call was placed from a pay telephone,
• automatically placing a return call by dialing the caller's telephone number,
• prompting the caller to enter an identification code upon answering the return call,
• receiving a verification code from the caller and verifying the identification code corresponds to an authorized caller,
• producing a signal that indicates a return call has been made, and completing the call.

An apparatus for minimizing telephone charges comprising:

• a telephone line, and
• a digital computer for;
• receiving preconnection information on the telephone line in response to an incoming call from a caller,
• examining the preconnection information to determine a number corresponding to a telephone from which the incoming call was initiated without answering the incoming call,
• examining the preconnection information to determine if the call was initiated from a pay phone,
• answering the incoming phone call if it was not initiated from a pay phone,
• not answering the incoming call if the incoming call was initiated from a pay phone, and
• dialing the number corresponding to the telephone from which the incoming call was placed,
• prompting the caller to input an identification code,
• receiving an identification code input by the caller and determining the identification of the caller based on the identification code, and
• connecting the caller to a desired number if the caller is authorized.

A method of operating a calling card system comprising:

• receiving a telephone call from a caller,
• examining the preconnection information to determine a telephone number from which the telephone call was made,
• not answering the telephone call,
• automatically placing a return call to the telephone number from which the telephone call was received,
• prompting a party answering the return call to enter an identification code,
• receiving the identification code,
• verifying that the entered identification code corresponds to an authorized user,
• prompting the party answering the return call to enter a telephone number that the party wishes to call, and
• connecting the party to the telephone number that the party entered.

A method of minimizing phone charges on telephone calls made by a caller on a pay phone to a callee, comprising:

• receiving preconnection information transmitted to a callee's telephone in response to an incoming call from a caller;
• examining the preconnection information received on the callee's telephone line and determining the caller's telephone number and whether the incoming call originated from a pay phone without answering the incoming call;
• if the incoming call originated from a pay phone, disconnecting and not completing the incoming call once the caller's number has been obtained;
• automatically placing a return call from the callee phone by dialing the caller's telephone number;
• and
• prompting the caller to enter an identification code upon answering the return call and verifying that the identification code corresponds to an authorized caller.