Externally controlled call processing system

A system for external control of call processing on a call connection network comprising

• a network controller that is connected to receive an external party control message regarding a call connection operation to be executed by and involving one or more line controllers each connected to said call connection network by a call connection interface, said network controller being programmed to respond to said external party control message to determine what first party steps need to be taken by said line controller or controllers to execute said call connection operation, to generate first party control messages to carry out said first party steps, and to send said first party control messages over a message transfer network via message transfer interfaces to one or more said line controllers, said message transfer network being the same as or different from said call connection network, and
• said one or more line controllers,
• each said line controller being connected to said message transfer network via one of said message transfer interfaces to receive said first party control messages,
• each said line controller being connected to said call connection network via said call connection interface permitting said line controller to participate in a call over said call connection network with another line controller or other terminal device connected to said call connection network.
• each said line controller being connected to said call connection network via a call control interface permitting said line controller to request said call connection network to execute said call connection operation,
• each said line controller being programmed to execute said first party control messages on behalf of itself on said call connection network in order to execute said call connection operation on said call connection network.