Abstract: The present invention is a switch controller that provides an interface between a public switched telephone network and intelligent services network components. The switch controller controls the operation of one or more programmable switches that accept calls from the public switched telephone network. Intelligent service network components are used for enhanced service processing, interconnection to external networks, and other call functions. The switch controller includes a switch controller application program. Within the switch controller application program are multiple routines that perform call processing. The design of the switch controller application program hides vendor-specific processing and service-specific processing from routines not needing the vendor-specific and service-specific details.

Abstract: A multi-drop digital telephone loop uses point-to-point digital communication between a series of Add/drop units and a central office terminal to route telephone traffic to customers. The loop automatically detects and signals subscriber channel conflicts and also function in an auto-assign mode for automatically assigning subscriber channels. The loop may also be deployed in conjunction with a remote terminal located at a subscriber's residence or business.