Importance

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Abstract

A communications distribution system is disclosed for facilitating the handling of telephone calls within a plurality of groups. Each of the groups includes a line group and a channel group interconnected by an anticipatory call distributor (ANCD) for determining the availability of channels for connecting to a line from the associated line group, and for reassigning channels to other groups as long as a certain minimum capacity is maintained in each group. The ANCD also anticipates whether any channels are expected to become available within a predetermined period. In response to channel availability, or to a channel that is expected to become available, a priority and availability logic sets an appropriate status register, which is checked by switching command logic. The switching command logic periodically checks the status of the bits in the status register and determines, based upon a priority ranking, whether any channel is available or will become available to answer a phone call, and if so, which channel will be used.

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First Claim