Abstract: In the present invention, a first agent terminal, of a group of multi-windowing agent terminals, answers an integrated voice/data call by (i) directly receiving and displaying call-related information from a communication system in a "Phone" window, and (ii) retrieving data information from a host database system, and then transferring the voice portion and either (a) predetermined received call-related information, or (b) a current data display status indication directly to a second agent terminal of a second group of agent terminals. The second agent terminal uses the received data to access a same or other host database system for automatically displaying the pertinent data at the second agent terminal to continue the voice and data call.

Abstract: The present invention enables multi-windowing agent computer terminals, that answer a variety of, e.g., telemarketing calls, to (i) receive call-related information from a communication system at an agent terminal for automatic display in a "telephony" window, and (ii) automatically send such information to a host computer system application software and retrieve caller desired information based on the calling or called number for display in a "host application" window without requiring a caller to provide verbal information. The present invention also enables an agent terminal to automatically transfer caller-related information from one window to another window via programmable function key commands which can be programmed by a user/system administrator regarding what information is to be copied and where and when to copy it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting up a telecommunications call from a calling customer (caller) terminal to one of a plurality of call destinations through an interconnection network. The caller dials an 800 number. This number is identified in a first data base as indicating a plurality of possible services, each of which is associated with one or more call destinations. A second data base provides the identification of a switch for generating an announcement to the customer and for the identification of an announcement in that switch. The call is connected to that announcement and an automatic speech and tone recognition unit, and the announcement prompts the caller to speak a command or key a dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signal in order to select one of the possible destinations.

Abstract: A method of controlling a telephone office serving a call to obtain a call processing capability not available at the office. A data base executes a customer program unique to a customer in response to each call to the customer. The customer program determines from call parameters how to process a particular call and instructs the serving office to perform specific primitive call processing capabilities to process the call. If the serving office is unable to perform a capability required to process the call in accordance with the customed program, the date base selects a second office which should be able to perform the capability. The call is routed from the first office to the second office under control of the data base and the second office performs one or more call processing capabilities under control of the data base. Call processing may be returned to the first office under control of the data base after a capability is performed at the second office. This is referred to as a service assist.

Abstract: A method allowing a customer to define its telephone service within flexible boundaries for calls directed to the customer. Within constraints imposed by the selected embodiment, the method reduces software development traditionally associated with the provision of new services. A plurality of independent call processing capabilities, such as announcement, digit collection, billing, etc., are provided at a switching office. A program defined by a customer is executed in response to each call to the customer. The program makes decisions based on the parameters of the call, such as time, ANI, information digits requested and received from the caller, etc., and links together the appropriate ones of the capabilities in the proper order to dispose of the call based on the call parameters as specified in the program. A customer service may be modified by changing the customer program.