System and method for activation of an enhanced telecommunication service

A system and method for activation of an enhanced telecommunication service without a turn-on call by a subscriber. The present invention is described in the AIN environment, where an enhanced telecommunication service is set up for a directory number. The enhanced telecommunication service has an active state wherein the enhanced telecommunication service is applied to calls received for the directory number. The enhanced telecommunication service also has an inactive state wherein the enhanced telecommunication service is not applied to calls received for the directory number. The first call is directed to the directory number, where the enhanced telecommunication service is in the inactive state. A no answer condition from the directory number is detected with respect to the first call. In response to the detection of the no answer condition, the enhanced telecommunication service changes to the active state. The enhanced telecommunication service is maintained in the active state for successive calls, whereby the enhanced telecommunication service is activated by the detection of the no answer condition for the first call, without the turn-on call from the subscriber, and remains activated for successive calls to the directory number.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates generally to telecommunications systems, and 
more particularly, relates to a system for activation of an enhanced 
telecommunication service. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
As the world of telecommunications becomes increasingly more sophisticated, 
society reaps the benefits through new, improved, and/or enhanced 
telecommunication services, as well as more service choices. These 
enhanced telecommunication services include voice mail, audio name 
screening, flexible call forwarding (FCF), and deluxe calling name 
delivery. These enhanced telecommunication services are available to a 
user of a modern public switched telephone network (PSTN) and are 
considered valuable services by many subscribers because they enhance 
conventional telephone service. For example, when the FCF service is 
activated by a subscriber/called party, the FCF service forwards a call 
directed to a called party number to terminating equipment associated with 
a directory number that the called party has chosen. Typically, the called 
party must activate the FCF service by entering a feature code and dialing 
a forwarding directory number. The FCF service thereafter forwards calls 
to a forwarding telephone number. Without this initial activation of the 
FCF service by the subscriber, call forwarding does not occur. The 
necessity of activating the FCF service oftentimes can be burdensome to 
the subscriber who only needs basic call coverage when the subscriber is 
away. Providing an enhanced telecommunication service that does not 
require this initial activation of the service by the subscriber would be 
considered valuable and convenient by many subscribers. 
In some enhanced telecommunication services, the subscriber is charged with 
the responsibility of remembering to initially activate the enhanced 
telecommunication service to have access to its features and to receive 
its benefits. Activation of the enhanced telecommunication service usually 
is executed by hand. For example, the subscriber can dial via a telephone 
keypad a feature code that is associated with the enhanced 
telecommunication service. The feature code is recognized in association 
with the enhanced telecommunication service and causes the enhanced 
telecommunication service to be activated. A similar process typically is 
performed to turn off the enhanced telecommunication service. By requiring 
the entry of the feature code to activate the enhanced telecommunication 
service, the service can only be used if the subscriber remembers to 
activate it. 
In other words, the enhanced telecommunication service is activated only as 
a result of an action by the subscriber. The subscriber typically 
activates the service by dialing a feature code. Hence, if the subscriber 
does not remember to enter the feature code, the subscriber cannot benefit 
from the service. 
For example, the subscriber may subscribe to the FCF service at her 
business location. In this example, the FCF service provides the benefit 
of being able to forward calls from the business location to another 
location, such as to a cellular telephone, an answering service, or the 
subscriber's home, especially when calls may not be answered, like after 
business hours. However, each day at the close of business, the subscriber 
has to remember to activate the FCF service. Unfortunately, the subscriber 
occasionally may forget to activate the FCF service, thereby missing 
important calls or potential business. The FCF service does not provide 
for activating the service without entering the feature code or dialing a 
directory number. 
In addition, when activated, some enhanced telecommunication services do 
not become operative until after a specific time period, for example, the 
time it takes for three rings to occur. This delay occurs for each call 
and can be a nuisance. For example, during business hours, a subscriber 
may prefer to answer all incoming calls and allow waiting callers to hear 
a busy signal. During this time frame, there are no enhanced 
telecommunication services in use. However, if the subscriber were to 
leave abruptly, or close for the night, the subscriber may want all calls 
to be forwarded to another location to greet the caller. To engage 
forwarding and immediately transfer the subscriber's calls, a subscriber 
would have to take action to engage the FCF service. Otherwise, calls 
would be first routed to the subscriber's business for a specific period 
of time before a "no answer" forwarding signal would send the call 
elsewhere. The delay in sending the call to a location where it can be 
answered may cause callers to hang-up prematurely and can adversely affect 
the business. 
Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for activating an 
enhanced telecommunication service without direct action by the 
subscriber/called party. 
There is also a need for a system and method for immediately handling calls 
after an enhanced telecommunication service is activated. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention satisfies the above-described needs by providing a 
system and method for activation of an enhanced telecommunication service 
without a turn-on call by a subscriber. The present invention is described 
in the AIN environment, where an enhanced telecommunication service is set 
up for a directory number. The enhanced telecommunication service has an 
active state wherein the enhanced telecommunication service is applied to 
calls received for the directory number. The enhanced telecommunication 
service also has an inactive state wherein the enhanced telecommunication 
service is not applied to calls received for the directory number. 
Advantageously, the present invention activates an enhanced 
telecommunication service without direct action, such as a turn-on call, 
by the subscriber/called party. Specifically, the present invention 
provides the benefit of activating the enhanced telecommunication service 
upon receipt of a first call to the called party number that encounters a 
no answer condition at the called party number. Another advantage is the 
present invention diverts all successive calls directed to the called 
party number for processing without first routing the call to the line of 
the called party number. Hence, the successive calls receive the enhanced 
telecommunication service without encountering the no answer condition. 
Generally described, the present invention provides a method for activation 
of an enhanced telecommunication service without a turn-on call by a 
subscriber. The first call is directed to the directory number, where the 
enhanced telecommunication service is in the inactive state. A no answer 
condition from the directory number is detected with respect to the first 
call. In response to the detection of the no answer condition, the 
enhanced telecommunication service changes to the active state. The 
enhanced telecommunication service is maintained in the active state for 
successive calls, whereby the enhanced telecommunication service is 
activated by the detection of the no answer condition for the first call, 
without the turn-on call from the subscriber, and remains activated for 
successive calls to the directory number. 
With respect to the embodiment described in the immediately preceding 
paragraph, the enhanced telecommunication service preferably is applied to 
the successive calls to the directory number. Also, the successive calls 
preferably are diverted for processing without routing the successive 
calls to a line of the directory number. Furthermore, after making the 
detection of the no answer condition with respect to the first call, the 
first call may be routed to a forwarding directory number designated by 
the subscriber. 
In another embodiment of the present invention, with respect to a first 
call that encounters a no answer condition, a method for activating an 
enhanced telecommunication service so that successive calls avoid the no 
answer condition is provided. A first call directed to a directory number 
is received. In connection with the first call, a detection of the no 
answer condition is made from the directory number. Upon the detection of 
the no answer condition, the first call is routed to a special number, 
where the special number is provisioned with a first trigger and where the 
first call encounters the first trigger. In response to the first call 
encountering the first trigger, information related to the directory 
number is obtained. Based on the information related to the directory 
number, the directory number is provisioned with a service trigger for 
activation of enhanced telecommunication service in response to successive 
calls directed to the directory number, whereby the successive calls 
encounter the service trigger and receive the enhanced telecommunication 
service rather than encountering the no answer condition. 
With respect to the embodiment described in the immediately preceding 
paragraph, information related to the directory number includes a 
forwarding directory number. After obtaining the forwarding directory 
number, the first call preferably is routed to the forwarding directory 
number. 
In another embodiment of the present invention, with respect to a first 
communication that encounters a no answer condition, a system for 
activating an enhanced telecommunication service so that further 
communications avoid the no answer condition and for routing the first 
communication to a forwarding directory number is provided. In connection 
with this embodiment, a first network element is operative to receive a 
first communication directed to a directory number. In connection with the 
first communication, the first network element is operative to make a 
detection of a no answer condition from the directory number. Upon the 
detection of the no answer condition, the first network element is 
operative to route the first communication to a special number, the 
special number being provisioned with a public office dialing plan (PODP) 
trigger. A second network element is provided being operative to make a 
detection of the PODP trigger. Upon the detection of the PODP trigger, the 
second network element is operative to obtain the forwarding directory 
number from a database. The second network element is operative to obtain 
instructions to activate a prescribed terminating attempt (TAT) trigger in 
connection with the directory number and to transmit the forwarding 
directory number and the instructions to the first network element. Also, 
the first network element is operative to route the first communication to 
the forwarding directory number, whereby activating the prescribed TAT 
trigger in connection with the directory number activates the enhanced 
telecommunication service so that further communications directed to the 
directory number receive the enhanced telecommunication service rather 
than encountering the no answer condition. 
With respect to the embodiment described in the immediately preceding 
paragraph, the first network element is operative to receive a second 
communication directed to the directory number. The second communication 
encounters the prescribed TAT trigger. The second network element is 
operative to receive the second communication, the second communication 
receiving the enhanced telecommunication service. The second network 
element also is operative to obtain the forwarding directory number and to 
route the second communication and the forwarding directory number to the 
first network element. Finally, the first network element is operative to 
route the second communication to the forwarding directory number. 
In summary, the present invention provides a system and method for 
activating an enhanced telecommunication service without direct action, 
such as a turn-on call, by the subscriber/called party. The present 
invention also provides a system and method for activating the enhanced 
telecommunication service upon receipt of a first call to the called party 
number that encounters a no answer condition at the called party number. 
In addition, the present invention provides a system and method for 
diverting all successive calls directed to the called party number for 
processing without first routing the call to the line of the called party 
number. Finally, the present invention provides a system and method that 
allows successive calls to receive the enhanced telecommunication service 
without encountering the no answer condition. 
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention 
may be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the 
following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and by 
reference to the appended drawings and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The present invention is directed to a system and method that activates an 
enhanced telecommunication service without a turn-on call by a subscriber. 
Specifically, activation of the enhanced telecommunication service occurs 
as a direct result of a first unanswered call to a called party number. In 
other words, the enhanced telecommunication service is activated by merely 
placing a call to the called party number, where the call goes unanswered 
at the location where the call is directed. After the first call, all 
successive calls directed to the called party number receive the enhanced 
telecommunication service without first routing the call to the line of 
the called party number. The called party can deactivate the enhanced 
telecommunication service at any time by entering a feature code. 
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like 
elements throughout the several figures, aspects of the present invention 
and exemplary operating environments are described. 
Exemplary Operating Environment 
Overview of AIN Elements 
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment and exemplary environment 
for operation of the present invention. This exemplary environment is the 
public switched telecommunication network (PSTN) 10. A portion 11 of the 
PSTN is illustrated in FIG. 1 and described generally below. In 
particular, the detailed portion 11 of the PSTN illustrates a part of the 
Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) of a typical local exchange carrier. 
For brevity, only a basic explanation of the PSTN 10 is provided herein. 
Where the PSTN 10 operates or is composed differently in an important 
aspect from that which would be understood by those skilled in the art, 
additional details are provided herein. For further information regarding 
the referenced PSTN 10 and AIN aspects thereof, the interested reader is 
referred to the commonly-owned patent to Weisser, U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,719, 
which is incorporated herein by reference. 
The AIN includes a variety of interconnected network elements. A group of 
such network elements includes the plurality of central offices which are 
indicated as service switching points (SSPs) 12a, 12b in FIG. 1. An SSP is 
a switch and the terms are used interchangeably herein. As further 
illustrated in FIG. 1, the SSPs 12a, 12b have a plurality of subscriber 
lines connected thereto. A subscriber line may also be referred to as a 
calling line. Each SSP serves a designated group of calling lines, and 
thus, the SSP or switch that serves a particular calling line may be 
referred to as its serving switch. Each calling line is connected 
typically to a piece of terminating equipment including a plurality of 
telephones commonly designated as 14. Although telephones are illustrated 
as the pieces of terminating equipment in FIG. 1, those skilled in the art 
will understand that such pieces include other telecommunication devices 
such as facsimile machines, computers, modems, etc. 
Pursuant to the preferred embodiment, each active calling line in an AIN is 
assigned a ten digit calling line number. In the description of the 
present invention, the term "calling line number" is used in its generally 
understood meaning to be the number which is dialed or input by a caller 
or source to reach a piece of terminating equipment on a calling line 
associated with the dialed calling line number. A calling line number is 
commonly referred to as a telephone number or a directory number. 
Referring again to FIG. 1, SSPs 12a, 12b are interconnected by a plurality 
of trunk circuits 13. These are the voice path trunks that interconnect 
the SSPs to connect communications. The term "communication" or "call" is 
used herein to include all messages that may be exchanged between caller 
and called party in the network illustrated in FIG. 1. Each of the SSPs 
12a, 12b is connected to another type of AIN element referred to as a 
local signal transfer point (STP) 24 via respective data links. Currently, 
these are data links employing a signaling protocol referred to as 
Signaling System 7 (SS7), which is well known to those skilled in the art. 
Much of the intelligence of the AIN resides in yet another type of AIN 
element referred to as a local service control point (SCP) 26 that is 
connected to STP 24 over a SS7 data link. Among the functions performed by 
the SCP 26 is the maintenance of network databases and subscriber 
databases as represented collectively by databases 30. These databases may 
be used in providing enhanced telecommunication services to a customer. 
Typically, the SCP 26 is also the repository of service package 
applications (SPAs) that are used in connection with or as part of the 
databases 30 in the application of enhanced telecommunication services or 
enhanced features to calling lines. 
As used herein, the phrase "enhanced telecommunication services" refers to 
features or enhancements that are provided by a telecommunication service 
provider to a customer in addition to conventional telephone service 
through the PSTN. 
Referring again to FIG. 1, the local STP 24 may be connected to other 
network elements of the PSTN 10 through a regional STP 32, which in turn, 
may be connected to a regional SCP 34. Both regional SCP 34 and local SCP 
26 are connected via respective data links to a service management system 
(SMS) 40. The SMS 40 interfaces to business offices of the local exchange 
carrier and interexchange carriers. 
In order to keep the processing of data and calls as simple as possible, a 
relatively small set of triggers is defined at the SSPs for each call. A 
trigger in the AIN is an event associated with a particular calling line 
that generates a packet to be sent to an SCP. The trigger causes the SCP 
to query its database for processing instructions with respect to the 
particular call. The results of the database inquiry are sent back to the 
SSP in a response from the SCP 26 through STP 24. The return packet 
includes instructions to the switch as to how to process the call. The 
instructions may be to take some special action as a result of a 
customized calling service or enhanced feature. In response, the switch 
moves through its call states, collects the called digits, and generates 
further packets that are used to set up and route the call. Similar 
devices for routing calls among various local exchange carriers are 
provided by regional STP 32 and regional SCP 34. 
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the AIN also includes a service circuit node 42 
(SCN), which may also be referred to herein as a service node (SN). SCN 42 
includes voice and dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal recognition 
devices and voice synthesis devices. SCN 42 is connected to the local SCP 
26 via data link using an X.25 protocol and to the SMS 40 via a data link. 
In addition, SCN 42 typically is connected to one or more (but usually 
only a few) SSPs via Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) links as 
shown by the connection to SSP 12b. 
Generally, the present invention is described in the AIN environment, where 
an enhanced telecommunication service is set up for a directory number. 
The enhanced telecommunication service has an active state wherein the 
enhanced telecommunication service is applied to calls received for the 
directory number. The enhanced telecommunication service also has an 
inactive state wherein the enhanced telecommunication service is not 
applied to calls received for the directory number. The enhanced 
telecommunication service is activated without a turn-on call from a 
subscriber as described herein. A first call is directed to the directory 
number, where the enhanced telecommunication service is in the inactive 
state. A no answer condition from the directory number is detected with 
respect to the first call. In response to the detection of the no answer 
condition, the enhanced telecommunication service changes to the active 
state. The enhanced telecommunication service is maintained in the active 
state for successive calls. In summary, the enhanced telecommunication 
service is activated by the detection of the no answer condition for the 
first call, without the turn-on call from the subscriber, and remains 
activated for successive calls to the directory number. 
Exemplary Operation 
Turning to FIG. 2, the exemplary operation of the present invention is 
described in the context of a calling party placing a call to a called 
party who subscribes to the FCF service. The present invention activates 
the FCF service so that calls are forwarded from the called party number 
to a location designated by the subscriber/called party when there is no 
answer at the subscriber's terminating equipment. Activation of the FCF 
service occurs without a turn-on call from the subscriber. 
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention is implemented through an 
autoroute service feature. Generally, the autoroute service feature is 
activated upon receipt of a first call to the called party number that is 
not answered. The autoroute service feature processes the first call by 
determining where the first call is to be routed. In addition, the 
autoroute service feature activates the enhanced telecommunication service 
to which the called party subscribes. Once the enhanced telecommunication 
service is activated, successive calls directed to the called party number 
are diverted for processing without first routing the call to the line of 
the called party number. Moreover, the enhanced telecommunication service 
is applied to the successive calls to the called party number. The 
autoroute service feature can be deactivated, for example, by entering a 
feature code, as is further explained below. 
Advantageously, it is no longer necessary for the subscriber to activate an 
enhanced telecommunication service with a turn-on call as typically has 
been the case for some enhanced telecommunication services, such as the 
FCF service. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the 
present invention is not limited to activating the FCF service, but may 
also include activating any enhanced telecommunication service generally 
suited for this environment. 
Illustration of the present invention is described by way of an example. In 
this example, the subscriber ("Dale") is a workaholic and spends most of 
his time at his office. The remainder of his time is spent at home. 
Consequently, when Dale is not at home, Dale desires all calls to his home 
to be forwarded to his office. Specifically, Dale desires all calls 
directed to Dale's home telephone number (770-777-9311) associated with 
his called party telephone 14c to be forwarded to his office telephone 
number (404-444-1234) associated with his office telephone 14z. Dale's 
called party telephone 14c is connected by line 15c to SSP 12b, and Dale's 
office telephone 14z is connected by line 15z to SSP 12z. For purposes of 
this discussion, Dale's home telephone number and office telephone number 
may generically be referred to as a called party number and a forwarding 
directory number, respectively. 
When Dale initially sets up the autoroute service feature, a terminating 
attempt (TAT) trigger or service trigger is prescribed to Dale's line. The 
TAT trigger is in an inactive state until the trigger is activated. The 
inactive state is indicative of the TAT trigger being inactive or turned 
off. Consequently, in the inactive state, the enhanced telecommunication 
service is not applied to calls received for the called party telephone 
14c. As a part of the set up process, Dale provides his office telephone 
number (404-444-1234) as the forwarding directory number. Providing the 
forwarding directory number may entail dialing a customer service number 
for the autoroute service feature and entering the forwarding directory 
number when prompted to do so. It will be appreciated by one skilled in 
the art that the forwarding directory number may be any directory number 
the subscriber desires including, but not limited to, a pager number, an 
answering service number, a cellular telephone number, and so forth. 
After the autoroute service feature has been set up, a calling party 
("Veda") having a calling party number (770-555-1234) uses her telephone 
14a, which is connected by calling line 15a to SSP 12a. Veda places a call 
to Dale's called party telephone 14c having the called party number 
(770-777-9311). The SSP 12a serving the calling party number receives the 
communication and sets up the communication to an SSP 12b serving the 
called party number. The call is set up in a conventional manner, wherein 
the SSP 12a obtains information relating to the communication, as well as 
routing information. The SSP 12a then sends the information relating to 
the communication in a signaling message to the SSP 12b. The SSP 12b sends 
the communication to the called party telephone 14c. 
If there is a no answer condition detected at the called party number, the 
call is sent to the SSP 12b. The no answer condition is a condition in 
which the called party number is not answered after a predetermined time 
period, for example, the time it takes for three rings to occur. The SSP 
12b routes the communication to a special number associated with the 
autoroute service feature. The special number also may be served by a 
network element, SSP 12b, or another network element, such as SCN 42 (FIG. 
1). This special number, for example, 111-1111, has a public office 
dialing plan (PODP) trigger assigned to it. 
The communication from Veda to Dale encounters the PODP trigger defined at 
SSP 12b. Due to the trigger, the switch pauses in the processing of the 
call and obtains further instructions from other network elements. The SSP 
12b pauses in the processing of the communication to request instructions 
from SCP 26 via STP 24. The SSP 12b provides the SCP 26 with information 
relating to the communication as a part of the SSP's query to the SCP 26, 
including redirecting party information. Redirecting party information 
contains the called party number of the subscriber. 
In response to the query provided by SSP 12b, SCP 26 identifies the 
subscriber by performing a search in database 30. Database 30 preferably 
is an autoroute database containing subscriber information and forwarding 
information. Based on 1) the redirecting party information obtained from 
the query and 2) the trigger type, in this case a PODP trigger, database 
30 determines whether the called party is a subscriber of the autoroute 
service feature. If the redirecting party information matches subscriber 
information located in database 30, database 30 provides a forwarding 
directory number associated with the subscriber. The SCP 26 provides 
instructions that the communication is to be routed to the forwarding 
directory number in a response to the SSP 12b. In addition, the SCP 26 
provides instructions to SSP 12b to activate or turn on the prescribed TAT 
trigger associated with the called party number. 
Once the prescribed TAT trigger (service trigger) is activated, the 
enhanced telecommunication service is applied to calls received for the 
called party number. In this example, it is determined that Dale is a 
subscriber to the autoroute service feature and the forwarding directory 
number is his office telephone number (404-444-1234). Therefore, the SCP 
26 provides instructions to SSP 12b to route the communication to the SSP 
12z serving the office telephone number. The SCP 26 also provides 
instructions to activate the prescribed TAT trigger on line 15c for the 
autoroute service feature. The SSP 12b then routes the communication to 
the SSP 12z and activates the prescribed TAT trigger, thereby placing the 
prescribed TAT trigger in an active state. When the TAT trigger is in the 
active state, the enhanced telecommunication service is applied to calls 
received for the called party number. Consequently, the call from Veda is 
routed to the office telephone number associated with Dale's office 
telephone 14z. 
When a second call is directed to Dale's home telephone number, the 
communication is routed to the office telephone number associated with 
Dale's office telephone 14z. Specifically, the second call is first routed 
to the SSP 12b serving the called party number. The second call encounters 
the prescribed TAT trigger, which is now in the active state. Due to the 
TAT trigger, the call processing is halted at the SSP 12b. The SSP 12b 
requests instructions from the SCP 26 via STP 24. The SSP 12b provides the 
SCP 26 with information relating to the communication as a part of the 
SSP's query to the SCP 26. In response to the query provided by the SSP 
12b, the SCP 26 obtains the forwarding directory number associated with 
the subscriber information contained within database 30. The SCP 26 
provides instructions to the SSP 12b to route the communication to the 
forwarding directory number. The SSP 12b routes the communication to the 
forwarding directory number. 
In essence, after the first call, all successive calls are intercepted at 
the SSP 12b before reaching the called party telephone 14c. The successive 
calls are no longer sent to the called party telephone 14c --that is, the 
called party telephone 14c does not ring after the first call. Instead, 
the successive calls are intercepted at the SSP 12b and diverted to the 
autoroute service feature. The autoroute service feature routes the call 
to the destination designated by the called party. Therefore, successive 
calls encounter the service trigger and receive the enhanced 
telecommunications service rather than encountering the no answer 
condition. 
When Dale returns home, Dale can deactivate the autoroute service feature 
by simply entering a feature code, for example, *99. The feature code has 
been provisioned with a feature access code (FAC) trigger by a 
telecommunication service provider. Consequently, when Dale enters the 
feature code, the SSP 12b sends a TCAP message containing the feature code 
to the SCP 26. 
The feature code is recognized by SSP 12b as an indicator of the special 
status of the communication. In other words, the feature code typically 
triggers the switch to pause in the processing of the call and to obtain 
further instructions from other network elements, such as SCP 26. In the 
example, Dale's call to the feature code is received in SSP 12b, which 
pauses in the processing of the communication to request instructions from 
the SCP 26. As part of the SSP's query to the SCP 26 for processing 
instructions, the SSP 12b provides the SCP 26 with information relating to 
the communication. In particular, the SSP 12b provides the SCP 26 with 
communication information including the feature code and the calling line 
number. In addition, the SSP 12b provides the SCP 26 with identification 
information with respect to itself. This identification information may 
include an originating point code (OPC) or other identifier as 
appropriate. 
In response to receiving the communication information and the 
identification information from the SSP 12b, the SCP 26 carries out 
certain functions. The SCP 26 recognizes the feature code as indicative 
that the communication contains autoroute information that the SCP 26 must 
process. The SCP 26 is responsible for translating the autoroute 
information by checking its database 30. Database 30 indicates that the 
TAT trigger on line 15c must be deactivated or turned off. Consequently, 
the SCP 26 provides instructions to the SSP 12b to deactivate the TAT 
trigger on line 15c. SSP 12b deactivates the TAT trigger on line 15c. 
Hence, calls directed to the called party number are no longer forwarded 
to Dale's office telephone number. 
Advantageously, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides 
activation of an enhanced telecommunication service without a turn-on call 
by the subscriber. Specifically, the present invention activates the 
enhanced telecommunication service upon receipt of a first call to the 
called party number that encounters a no answer condition from the called 
party number. Thereafter, all successive calls directed to the called 
party number are diverted for processing without first routing the call to 
the line of the called party number. The successive calls encounter a 
service trigger and receive the enhanced telecommunication service without 
encountering the no answer condition. 
Activating an Enhanced Telecommunication Service 
Now turning to FIG. 3, the process by which an enhanced telecommunication 
service is activated upon detection of a no answer condition is described 
using a timing diagram. 
In step 100, a calling party places a call using the telephone 14a to a 
called party telephone 14c. The SSP 12a serving the calling party number 
receives the communication and sets up the communication to an SSP 12b 
serving the called party number. The call is set up in a conventional 
manner, wherein the SSP 12a obtains information relating to the 
communication, as well as routing information. Next, in step 105, the SSP 
12a then sends the information relating to the communication in a 
signaling message to the SSP 12b. 
In step 110, the SSP 12b routes the communication to the called party 
telephone 14c. If a no answer condition is detected at the called party 
number, the communication is sent to the SSP 12b (step 115). The SSP 12b 
routes the communication to a special number associated with the autoroute 
service feature, which also may be served by the SSP 12b. The special 
number has a public office dialing plan (PODP) trigger assigned to it. 
The communication encounters the PODP trigger defined at SSP 12b. Due to 
the trigger, the switch pauses in the processing of the call and obtains 
further instructions from the SCP 26 via STP 24 (step 120). The SSP 12b 
provides the SCP 26 with information relating to the communication as a 
part of the SSP's query to the SCP 26. 
In response to the query provided by SSP 12b, SCP 26 identifies the 
subscriber by performing a search in database 30, which is previously 
described with respect to FIG. 2. The SSP 12b obtains a forwarding 
directory number from database 30. After obtaining the forwarding 
directory number from database 30, the SCP 26 provides instructions to SSP 
12b to route the communication to the SSP 12z serving the office telephone 
number. The SCP 26 also instructs the SSP 12b to activate a prescribed TAT 
trigger on line 15c for the autoroute service feature (step 125). As a 
result of activating the TAT trigger, all successive calls are diverted to 
the SCP 26 for processing without routing the calls to the line 15c of the 
called party number. 
In step 130, the SSP 12b then routes the communication to the SSP 12z and 
activates the TAT trigger on line 15c connected to the SSP 12b. The 
communication is then routed to the office telephone 14z (step 135). 
For successive calls to the called party number, the communication is 
routed to the office telephone number associated with office telephone 
14z. The communication is no longer sent to the called party telephone 
14c--that is, the called party telephone 14c does not ring after the first 
call. Instead, the call is intercepted at the SSP 12b and diverted to the 
autoroute service feature. The autoroute service feature routes the call 
to the destination designated by the called party. 
Conclusion 
The present invention activates an enhanced telecommunication service 
without direct action, such as a turn-on call, by the subscriber. The 
present invention activates the enhanced telecommunication service upon 
receipt of a first call to the called party number that encounters a no 
answer condition at the called party number. Thereafter, all successive 
calls directed to the called party number are diverted for processing 
without first routing the call to the line of the called party number. 
Hence, the successive calls receive the enhanced telecommunication service 
without encountering the no answer condition. 
Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to 
which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and 
scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the 
appended claims rather than the foregoing description.