Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for processing a call from a calling party to a called party. The system includes subscriber profiles for both the called and calling parties and a call behavior module. The subscriber profiles which reside in a switch or one or more remote databases comprehensively maintain the subscribed services and preferences of the parties. The call behavior module processes the telephone call in accordance with the subscriber service options and preferences of the called party and the calling party as provided in the subscriber profiles. Call processing is thereby handled more efficiently and reduced risk of feature interactions between the different subscriber services.

Abstract: A call processing method and apparatus in which a channel that was allocated to one terminal for processing a call is reallocated to allow another terminal to process the call. The channel is one of several channels of the digital subscriber line. In processing a call, the switching system allocates a channel for the exclusive use of a terminal sharing the digital subscriber line. While the channel is allocated to the terminal, only that terminal can use the channel. The switch enables another terminal sharing the digital subscriber line to process the call by reallocating the channel for the exclusive use of the other terminal.

Abstract: A call processing method and apparatus for maximizing the number of calls that are offered to terminals sharing a digital subscriber line while insuring that for every call offered, a channel of the digital subscriber line remains allocatable to at least one terminal addressed by the call for use in answering the call. The switching system reserves a channel of the digital subscriber line in response to an incoming call. This channel is reserved for a set of terminals that share the digital subscriber line and that are addressed by the incoming call. This reservation entitles one of the terminals to be allocated a channel to originate or answer calls.