Mechanism to control telecommunication connections in a digital switching network

System for controlling a telecommunication connection between at least two end systems of a calling side and a called side in a digital switching network, said network providing user-to-user information, the device including:

• input means for customizing said user-to-user information;
• logic circuit that exchanges the user-to-user information between said end stations before setting up an operable connection;
• means for logically interpreting said user-to-user information;
• device that uses the information to not establish an operable connection between the two end systems before an answering device is activated if a specific person is not available at the called side;
• and
• control means for controlling use of said user-to-user information.

A system for controlling a telecommunication connection between at least two end systems at a calling side and a called side, said system including:

• a digital switching network interconnecting the calling side and the called side, said digital switching network including a protocol that transports user-to-user information;
• logic circuit in at least said called side for generating and transmitting via said user-to-user protocol information wherein the information includes participant information and is being transferred before setting up the operable connection;
• logic circuit that uses the participants information to inhibit setting up an operable connection between calling side and called side, before a mechanical device is activated if a participant at the called side is not available;
• means in at least said calling side for customizing said user-to-user information;
• means for logically interpreting said user-to-user information;
• and
• control means for controlling use of said user-to-user information.

A device including:

• circuitry that uses user-to-user protocol indigenous to a communications network to transmit information about a called device or person when queried by a remote calling device;
• circuitry that forwards the information before setting up operable connections with said remote calling device;
• and
• circuitry responsive to the information and operable to inhibit setting up the operable connections before an answering device is activated if the information about the called device or person indicates that said called device or person is not available.