Collect Callback

Abstract

In an implementation of collect callback, a call-in service establishes a communication link with a call source, and initiates a collect callback option for the call source. A telecommunications switch can receive callback data from the call-in service and utilize the callback data to establish a collect call via a second communication link between the call source and the call-in service. A billing entity can receive a billing dispute from the call source that disputes charges for the collect call initiated by the call-in service and authorized by the call source. The billing entity can then communicatively link the call source to recorded data that corresponds to the collect call to which the charges apply where the recorded data includes a recording of at least a portion of the collect call to sustain the charges for the collect call.

1 . A collect callback system, comprising: 
 a call-in service configured to establish a communication link with a call source, and initiate a collect callback option for the call source via which authorization can be provided to receive a collect call initiated by the call-in service;    a billing entity configured to: 
 receive a billing dispute from the call source that disputes charges for the collect call initiated by the call-in service and authorized by the call source; and  
 communicatively link the call source to recorded data that corresponds to the collect call to which the charges apply, the recorded data including a recording of at least a portion of the collect call.  
   
   
   
       2 . A collect callback system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the recording includes a recorded name of the call source verbalized by the call source.  
   
   
       3 . A collect callback system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the recording includes an authorization by the call source for the collect call initiated by the call-in service.  
   
   
       4 . A collect callback system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the billing entity is further configured to: 
 bill the call source for the collect call initiated by the call-in service and authorized by the call source; and    initiate playback of the recording when the billing dispute is received from the call source to sustain the charges for the collect call.    
   
   
       5 . A collect callback system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the call source is a cell phone, and wherein the call-in service is further configured to establish the communication link with the cell phone.  
   
   
       6 . A collect callback system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the call-in service is a call-in dating service.  
   
   
       7 . A collect callback system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the call-in service is an automated call-in service.  
   
   
       8 . A collect callback system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a telecommunications switch configured to receive callback data from the call-in service, the telecommunications switch further configured to establish the collect call via a second communication link that is completed between the call source and the call-in service to enable the collect call.  
   
   
       9 . A collect callback system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the telecommunications switch is further configured to route the collect call via the second communication link through the telecommunications switch.  
   
   
       10 . A collect callback system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the telecommunications switch is further configured to notify the call-in service that the collect call for the call source is authorized such that the call-in service can discontinue the communication link with the call source and such that the telecommunications switch can establish the collect call via the second communication link.  
   
   
       11 . A method for collect callback, comprising: 
 establishing a communication link with a call source that initiates communication with a call-in service;    initiating a collect callback option for the call source;    receiving an authorization input for collect call payment from the call source for a collect call initiated by the call-in service;    establishing the collect call which is completed from the call-in service to the call source to enable the collect call;    receiving a billing dispute from the call source that disputes charges for the collect call initiated by the call-in service and authorized by the call source;    communicatively linking the call source to recorded data that corresponds to the collect call to which the charges apply, the recorded data including a recording of at least a portion of the collect call.    
   
   
       12 . A method for collect callback as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising recording a name of the call source verbalized by the call source.  
   
   
       13 . A method for collect callback as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising recording the authorization by the call source for the collect call initiated by the call-in service.  
   
   
       14 . A method for collect callback as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 billing the call source for the collect call initiated by the call-in service and authorized by the call source; and    initiating playing back the recording when said receiving the billing dispute from the call source to sustain the charges for the collect call.    
   
   
       15 . A method for collect callback as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 receiving a request from a billing entity for the recorded data that corresponds to the collect call; and    communicating the recorded data to the billing entity such that the billing entity can utilize the recorded data to sustain the charges for the collect call.    
   
   
       16 . A method for collect callback as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the collect callback option is initiated for the call source as a form of payment for a duration of the collect call.  
   
   
       17 . A method for collect callback as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising communicating collect callback data to a telecommunications switch that establishes the collect call via a second communication link between the call source and the call-in service.  
   
   
       18 . A method for collect callback as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the call source is a cell phone, and wherein the communication link is established with the cell phone that initiates communication with the call-in service.  
   
   
       19 . A method for collect callback as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the call-in service is a dating service.  
   
   
       20 . A method for collect callback as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the call-in service is an automated call-in service.