Message signaling arrangement between a switching system and user terminals

摘要

A signaling arrangement where all terminal configuration data is stored in a switching system, but where each user terminal responds to a message from the system, defining one of the user terminal buttons as the selected call appearance at the terminal, by operating in a functional signaling mode to communicate with the system using functional messages concerning a call at the selected call appearance. Idle and ringing preference methods for use in terminating calls and auto-drop and auto-hold alternatives for use when moving from one call appearance to another are disclosed as well as methods for holding or dropping calls. Implicit and explicit conferencing methods are also disclosed.