Abstract

An operator assistance call handling arrangement is disclosed featuring the use of an intelligent telecommunications station (intelligent phone) for the collection and transmission of call data to an operator assistance system for setting up a call without the intervention of an operator. The intelligent phone is equipped to handle CCITT (International Consulative Committee for Telephone and Telegraph) standard Layer 3 (Q.931) call control messages defined for message associated user-to-user information (MA-UUI). The operator assistance system is part of a central telephone office switching system, and is connected to the intelligent phone via an integrated services digital network (ISDN) basic rate interface (BRI). For station-to-station (station) collect calls, person-to-person (person) calls including collect and calling card calls, and bill-to-third party calls, a calling (back) party enters information identifying the class of charge (COC) and other call data at the intelligent phone, which formats the information into a user-to-user information element (UUIE). The intelligent phone then places the UUIE comprising the call information into a Q.931 SETUP message and sends the SETUP message over a ISDN D-channel to the switching system system comprising the operator assistance system to set up an ISDN B-channel call between the back party and a called (forward) party. By utilizing the COC information, connections for collect, person and bill-to-third party calls are set up without the intervention of an operator. Later, when the operator assistance system seizes an operator position to service the call after the call has been answered by the forward party, the call data is automatically displayed for the operator.