US Patent 7636430 Toll-free call origination using an alphanumeric call initiator

Toll-free calls are initiated using an alphanumeric call initiator (NAME) that is communicated to the network using a short message service (SMS), electronic mail message, a Worldwide Web interface or a voice connection to a voice recognition database. The NAME is translated to retrieve a directory number used to connect a calling party with the toll-free service subscriber. The directory number may be a toll-free number used to invoke incumbent translation services in the PSTN.