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.

Abstract: An announcing system including a message drum with a plurality of listening-recording heads radially spaced around the message drum, each of the listening-recording heads being adapted to traverse a portion of the surface of the message drum, and each of the listening-recording heads having an erase head associated therewith. A master timer is provided, and synchronizing means associated with the message drum provides a synchronizing pulse to maintain proper relationship between the master timer and rotation of the message drum. A control circuit allows a recording station to be selectively connected to the listening-recording heads for recording a message on a message track of the message drum and a subscriber station to be selectively connected to the listening-recording heads for listening to a message that has been recorded on the message drum.