Integrated services platform for telephone communication system

An information communication system, comprising:

• at least two first application processing units for providing a first type of information service to a user;
• at least two second application processing units for providing a second type of information service to a user, the first and second types of information services being different from one another;
• digital switching means for connecting the user to a selected one of said at least two first application processing units and said at least two second application processing units;
• and
• means for selecting an available one of said at least two first application processing units and said at least two second application processing units in response to the requested information service, and for causing said digital switching means to connect the user to the selected one of said at least two first application processing units and said at least two second application processing units to provide the requested information service.

An information service processing method using a digital switching system, at least two first application processing ports coupled to the digital switching system for providing a first type of information service, and at least two second application processing ports coupled to the switching system for providing a second type of information service, comprising the steps of:

• a) selecting an available one of the at least two first application processing ports and the at least two second application processing ports in response to a call;
• b) controlling the digital switching system to route the information to the selected one of the at least two first application processing ports and the at least tow second application processing ports;
• and
• c) processing the call through the selected one of the at least two first application processing ports and the at least two second application processing ports to provide the requested information.

An information communication system for providing a requested information service, comprising:

• processing means for providing a first information service to a user via at least two first service processing ports, a second information service to a user via at least two second service processing ports, and a third information service to a user via at least two third service processing ports, the first, second and third information services being different types of services;
• digital switching means for connecting the user to a selected one of said at least two first service processing ports, said at least two second service processing ports and said at least two third service processing ports;
• and
• control means for selecting one of said at least two first service processing ports, said at least two second service processing ports and said at least two third service processing ports in response to the requested information service and causing said digital switching means to connect the user to the selected one of said at least two first service processing ports, said at least two second service processing ports and said at least two third processing ports to provide the requested information service.