Sandra L Bish

US Patent:

55901867, Dec 31, 1996

Filed:

Dec 22, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/172374

Inventors:

Frank Y. Liao - Howell NJ
Antoinette Rule - Trenton NJ
Rise J. Frankel - Somerset NJ
Thomas W. Blickle - Keyport NJ
Sandra L. Bish - Thornton CO

Assignee:

AT & T - Holmdel NJ

International Classification:

H04M 342
H04M 1104

US Classification:

379210

Abstract:

Calls made to a toll-free 800 service subscriber are routed to a subscriber's primary location via a telephone network switch operating in conjunction with a specially configured adjunct processor. The adjunct processor routes the call from the calling party to the primary location through a first call leg extending between the calling party, switch and adjunct processor. A second call leg is extended from the adjunct processor, through the switch to an alternate destination. The first and second call legs are bridged within the adjunct processor for completing the call from the calling party to the alternate location. After the called is bridged, the two call legs are released to and from the adjunct processor while merging the two legs within the switch so as to conserve adjunct processor resources for further incoming calls. The described system also provides for five different redirection features: 1) blind transfer, 2) soft transfer, and 3) conference--consultation for human agents; and 4) blind and 5) soft transfer for voice response units (VRU's).