Abstract: A control resource, such as a service control point, causes a telephone network to route calls, initiated by an explicit request for operator service, to a front-end automation platform. The platform provides an announcement, typically in the form of a menu identifying available services. If the platform receives a signal from a caller selecting one of the services, the platform converts the call from an operator service call to a type of call associated with the selected service. The network then routes the call as converted, through the network to a predetermined resource for providing the selected service. The menu announcement and service selection processing with subsequent call conversion help take as many operator service calls as possible away from the operator switch and instead route many calls directly to the appropriate department, emergency destination or automated resource.

Abstract: An advanced intelligent network (AIN) stores, at time of service provisioning, call processing records (CPRs) associated with select special needs services. The CPR initiates alternative processing or suppresses processing of a CPR associated with a called party to provide special services. For example, public safety and emergency readiness and response organizations are identified at time of initial service provisioning with an appropriate passive user service CPR stored in a service control point thereby invoking special call processing requirements when calling another subscriber. Thus, subscriber AIN services which might block or reroute a call placed by an emergency organization would be suppressed by operation of the CPR associated with the calling telephone line. Other special need calls might also be accommodated.