Abstract: An automatic call distribution system routes calls from a communications network that provides call arrival data and a controllable routing capability. The system includes several agent stations, a call server, and a routing controller. Each agent station has a processor and a communication element to receive calls routed thereto. The call server uses telephony lines to receive the call arrival data and to direct the routing capability of the network. The call server has a caller prompting unit to request and receive information from a caller. The call server generates call information from the information from the caller and/or the call arrival data. The routing controller receives agent status data from the agent stations and the call information and selects an agent station from the call information and the agent status data. The routing controller causes the call server to direct the network to route the call to the selected agent station.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus includes a data communication portion adapted to be connected to the public telephone line in parallel to a telephone set for data transmission/reception with another station through line connection, a termination command generating device for generating a termination command to terminate data communication by the data communication portion under predetermined conditions, a detecting device for detecting a termination command and generating a detection signal, a delay circuit for delaying the detection signal by a predetermined time, and a line connection terminating device responsive to the delayed detection signal for terminating line connection. There is a predetermined time margin defined by the delay circuit, during the time the termination command is generated until the line connection is terminated.