Automated call handling apparatus

Automated call handling apparatus for use with a telecommunication switching system, said system transmitting associated messages corresponding to call handling information exchanged between said switching system and a telecommunication station connected to said system, comprising:

• computing means;
• data recording means for recording data;
• and
• means for connecting said computing means to said system;
• said computing means responsive to said associated messages for recording in said recording means data defining call activity for said station and data defining unanswered calls to said station.

Call forwarding apparatus for use with a plurality of telecommunication switching systems, each of said systems transmitting associated messages corresponding to call handling information exchanged between said switching systems and telecommunication stations connected to said systems, said apparatus comprising:

• computer means;
• and
• means for connecting said computer means to each of said systems;
• said computer means responsive to associated messages from one of said systems indicating an incoming call to a station connected to said one system for selecting for said call an alternate destination station connected to another of said systems, and for transmitting to said one system call handling information for causing said one system to connect said call to said alternate destination station connected to said other system.

Automated call handling apparatus for use with a telecommunication switching system, transmitting associated messages corresponding to call handling information exchanged between said switching system and a telecommunication station connected to said system, said system responsive to an incoming call to forward said call to a predetermined subscriber number when said station is busy, said apparatus comprising:

• computer means;
• and
• means for connecting said computer means to said system;
• said computer means responsive to a call forwarded to said predetermined number and to said associated messages to transmit to said switching system call handling information for causing said system to connect said call to said station when said station is no longer busy.

A method of forwarding telephone calls in a computer connected to a switching system, comprising the steps of:

• receiving at said computer associated messages corresponding to call handling messages exchanged between said system and a predetermined station connected to said system;
• in response to said associated messages, recognizing a message specifying an incoming call to said station;
• selecting an alternate destination for said call;
• and
• transmitting to said system digital messages for causing said system to forward said call to said selected alternate destination.

A method of screening in a computer an incoming call for a predetermined station forwarded to said computer from a switching system connected to said computer and transmitting to said computer associated messages indicative of call handling information exchanged between said predetermined station and said switching system, comprising the steps of:

• responsive to receipt of said incoming call answering said call by the computer;
• following said answering by said computer, connecting said call to recorded announcement equipment connected to said computer;
• in response to signaling received in association with said call, transmitting to said station a message indicating that a call is waiting;
• and
• in response to an associated message from said switching system, transmitting to said system call handling messages for causing said system to connect said incoming call to said station.

A control interface for interfacing a telecommunication switching system with a message recording system, said telecommunication switching system providing information, including call destination information, on a shared directory number telephone line, in accordance with a standard telephone line protocol, for calls extended to said message recording system, said interface comprising:

• means for connecting to said telephone line;
• means for communicating with said message recording system in a message system protocol;
• and
• control means responsive to said information received on said line in said standard telephone protocol, for extracting from said received information call destination information pertaining to a call extended to said message system and for transmitting said extracted call destination information to said message recording system via said means for communicating, using said message recording system protocol.

Apparatus for providing voice message service, comprising:

• a switching system for serving integrated voice and data lines and analog lines;
• a voice message system;
• a plurality of analog lines, each having its own directory number, for connecting said switching system to said voice message system;
• and
• an integrated voice and data line, sharing the directory numbers of the plurality of analog lines, for receiving display control data for each of said plurality of analog lines from said switching system for transmission to said voice message system, whereby said voice message system receives control data for calls on said analog lines from said integrated line.

In a switching system for serving analog lines and integrated voice/data lines and comprising a switching network and voice message system, a method of providing voice message service, comprising the steps of:

• assigning a separate number to each of a plurality of analog lines connected between said switching network and said voice message system;
• assigning all of said separate directory numbers to an integrated voice/data line connected between said switching network and said voice message system;
• establishing a connection over one of said analog lines to said voice message system;
• and
• in parallel with said establishing, and as a result of having a number assigned to said one analog line also assigned to said voice/data line, sending a data message over said voice/data line to said voice message system for providing data to control said voice message system.