Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method and apparatus for delivering intercept messages locally in a telephone network. A plurality of local switching offices (10, 20) are each equipped with an automatic intercept system (25) including stored information (45) about the status of telephone numbers, calls to which are intercepted. The terminating office at which the intercept condition is detected cuts through to the automatic intercept system (AIS) in the conventional manner and generates a particular class of service signal on the trunk connection (12). The AIS at the originating office includes a circuit to cut the call through to its AIS (39) upon receipt of the signal. A predetermined signal is generated by the AIS at the originating office and serves as a handshaking signal to notify the terminating office that it is properly equipped for remote delivery. After handshaking, a modem (52) under CPU control (40) is connected (50) and all information necessary for local delivery of the intercept message at the originating office is transmitted from terminating office in a differential PSK format. After receipt of the information, the trunk connection is terminated and the AIS at the originating office proceeds with the time consuming step of delivery of the audio intercept message to the caller (11). An arrangement for practicing the method on a network equipped with common channel interoffice signaling is also shown.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim