Method and system for providing a demarcated communication service

摘要

The present invention is a method and system for implementing service functions in association with a communication between an originating station and a called station. A communication including identification information is received at a first network element from the originating station. A transaction is opened for use in a bi-directional exchange of messages relating to the communication between the first network element and the second network element. The communication is held at the first network element while the identification information is sent from the first network element to the second network element. The second network element determines processing instructions for implementing the service functions. The second network element then sends the processing instructions to the first network element. The transaction is then closed. In response to receiving the processing message, the first network element routes the communication for connection from the originating station to the called station. The first network element then implements the service functions in accordance with the processing instructions. In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a method and system for charging the cost of a communication a prepaid account associated with a prepaid telephone card. In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a method and system for apprising the parties to a communication of the duration of the communication while the communication is in progress.