公开(公告)号：EP0851655A3

公开(公告)日：2002-09-25

申请号：EP97120533.1

申请日：1997-11-24

申请人： Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc.

发明人： Shaffer, Shumel ,  Beyda, William Joseph

IPC分类号： H04M15/00 ,  H04M3/46

CPC分类号： H04M15/68 ,  H04M15/00 ,  H04M2215/0176 ,  H04M2215/0196

摘要： A method and apparatus for processing a sequence of calls directed to different destination sites (22, 24 and 26) from a single calling site (10, 12 and 14) via a provider (18) having a connection-based tariff structure that employs first and second levels of connections in order to increase cost efficiency. The first level connection (30, 36 and 38) is from the provider to an intermediate site (28), such as a server, with the first level connection being maintained throughout the sequence of calls. The second level connection (34, 40 and 42) is formed from the intermediate site to the destination sites in the sequential order determined by the calling party. Each call to a destination site includes a different second level connection that is terminated from a completion of the call, without affecting the first level connection. The call information relating to the different calls in the sequence is transmitted from the calling site to the intermediate site by techniques such as the transmission of DTMF signals or conventional digital call setup signals. In one embodiment, the provider is an exchange carrier of air-to-ground telecommunications capability.