Importance

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Abstract

A telephone system and method for easing an incoming caller's wait time in queue before being connected to a called party is disclosed. A 'ready' signal initiated by the called party via the called party's telephone is provided to the caller's telephone to inform the caller that communication can commence between the caller and the called party. Thus, the caller need not wait with the caller's telephone pressed against his or her ear. Instead, the caller can put the telephone down (off-hook) and go about his or her business until receiving the ready signal. The ready signal can be provided visually and/or audibly. The ready signal can be enabled by the caller. The ready signal can also be terminated by the caller to enable the initiation of communication with the called party. 'Ready enable', 'ready' and 'ready termination' functions can be initiated by pressing specialty keys on a telephone or can be assigned predetermined sequences of keys from a traditional telephone key pad.

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First Claim