Abstract:
A method and an apparatus are disclosed that improve how an incoming call is handled across multiple data-processing systems, without some of the disadvantages of the prior art. Specifically, in a telecommunications call when a called telephone number is not associated with a particular in-service terminal, an enhanced terminating system of the call refrains from transmitting ringback to the calling terminal until an appropriate event occurs, such as the receiving of an asynchronous response from the auxiliary data-processing system to which the call has been directed. Depending on the response received, the terminating system might refocus the call or provide other treatment to the call. In some embodiments of the present invention, the terminating system also transmits a feedback signal to the calling terminal to provide status to the calling party on the progress of the call attempt, wherein the feedback signal is different than the ringback signal.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to telecommunications in general, and, more particularly, to how a call is handled when the telecommunications terminal to which the call is directed is registered with a system that is different than the terminating system of the call. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of telecommunications system  100  in the prior art. Telecommunications system  100  comprises: 
     i. network telecommunications terminal  101 , 
     ii. telecommunications networks  102  and  107 , 
     iii. primary data-processing system  103 , 
     iv. near telecommunications terminals  104 - 1  through  104 -J, 
     v. auxiliary data-processing system  105 , and 
     vi. far telecommunications terminals  106 - 1  through  106 -K; 
     all of which are interconnected as shown. The parameters J and K are positive integers. 
     The telecommunications terminals of system  100  are devices that are capable of originating and receiving calls, as well as exchanging signals (e.g., voice, data, etc.) with other telecommunications terminals. There are three categories of telecommunications terminals in telecommunications system  100 : near telecommunications terminals, far telecommunications terminals, and network telecommunications terminals. 
     Near telecommunications terminal  104 - j , wherein j is a value between 1 and J, inclusive, is a telecommunications terminal that is associated with primary data-processing system  103 . Near terminal  104 - j  is capable of originating and receiving calls, as well as exchanging signals (e.g., control, voice, data, etc.) with other telecommunications terminals via primary data-processing system  103 . 
     Far telecommunications terminal  106 - k , wherein k is a value between 1 and K, inclusive, is a telecommunications terminal that is associated with auxiliary data-processing system  105 . Far terminal  106 - k  is capable of originating and receiving calls, as well as exchanging signals (e.g., control, voice, data, etc.) with other telecommunications terminals through auxiliary data-processing system  105 . 
     Network telecommunications terminal  101  is a telecommunications terminal that is associated with telecommunications network  102 . Network terminal  101  is capable of originating and receiving calls, as well as exchanging signals (e.g., control, voice, data, etc.) with other telecommunications terminals via network  102 . 
     Telecommunications network  102  provides telecommunications service for one or more network-associated telecommunications terminals, such as network terminal  101 , and enables the terminals to communicate with one or more of near terminals  104 - 1  through  104 -J and far terminals  106 - 1  through  106 -K. Network  107  enables telecommunications service between systems  103  and  105  via trunks or other transmission pathways. Telecommunications network  102  or  107  might comprise part or all of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), part or all of a packet data network, a combination of different types of networks, and so forth. One or more switches, routers, transmission paths, or other telecommunications-enabling devices constitute networks  102  and  107 . 
     Primary data-processing system  103  is a private branch exchange that directly serves and controls near terminals  104 - 1  through  104 -J. Primary system  103  is capable of handling incoming calls (e.g., from terminal  101 , etc.) from telecommunications network  102  via one or more transmission lines (e.g., Integrated Services Digital Network trunks, etc.). Primary system  103  forwards each incoming call to a target telecommunications terminal. If the target terminal is associated (e.g., registered, etc.) with primary system  103 , then the terminal receiving the call is one of near terminals  104 - 1  through  104 -J. If the target terminal is associated with auxiliary data-processing system  105 , then the terminal receiving the call is one of far terminals  106 - 1  through  106 -K. Primary system  103  is also capable of handling calls from near terminals  104 - 1  through  104 -J and far terminals  106 - 1  through  106 -K, and forwarding those calls to one or more other terminals in telecommunications system  100 . 
     Auxiliary data-processing system  105  is a communications server that directly serves and controls far terminals  106 - 1  through  106 -K. Auxiliary system  105  is capable of handling incoming calls (e.g., from network terminal  101 , from near terminal  104 - j , etc.) to far terminals  106 - 1  through  106 -K. Auxiliary system  105  is also capable of handling outgoing calls from far terminals  106 - 1  through  106 -K to other terminals in telecommunications system  100  via primary data-processing system  103 . 
     With respect to the relationship between primary data-processing system  103  and auxiliary data-processing system  105 , a call that is placed to a telephone number associated with primary system  103  is routed to primary system  103 , but might then be mapped by primary system  103  to: (i) a near terminal  104 - j , (ii) a far terminal  106 - k , or (iii) both a near terminal  104 - j  and a far terminal  106 - k . For example, primary system  103  might direct an incoming call via a trunk though network  107  and auxiliary system  105  to a far terminal  106 - k . In the example, the directed-to terminal, far terminal  106 - k , might be a Session Initiation Protocol-based phone and auxiliary system  105  might be co-located with primary system  103 , as part of an enterprise telecommunications system. Alternatively, far terminal  106 - k  might be a cell phone and auxiliary system  105  might be a distant wireless switching center. Auxiliary system  105  operates asynchronously with respect to primary system  103 . 
     During the setup of a telecommunications call, primary system  103  transmits a ringback signal to the calling terminal (e.g., network terminal  101 , etc.), where the calling party hears the signal as a ringback tone. The ringback tone is used to inform the calling party that the called terminal is ringing or otherwise alerting the called party of the call. In North America, for example, the ringback tone is “on” for one second and “off” for three seconds, in repetition. The ringback signal is produced not by the calling party&#39;s switch, but by the terminating switch, such as primary system  103 . 
     In a first call-handling scenario, a calling party at network telecommunications terminal  101  calls a telephone number that is associated with primary data-processing system  103 . Telecommunications network  102  routes the call to primary system  103 , which is the terminating system of the call. If the telephone number is associated with a particular deskset or other type of terminal that is directly served and controlled by primary system  103  (i.e., near telecommunications terminal  104 - j ), the associated terminal is instructed directly by primary system  103  to alert the terminal&#39;s user of the call. As the terminating system of the call, primary system  103  also transmits a ringback signal to the calling terminal to inform the calling party that the called terminal is ringing. Because the called terminal is directly served and controlled by primary system  103 , system  103  is able to transmit the ringback signal with the certainty that the called terminal has, in fact, received an indication of the call and is alerting its user. 
     In a second call-handling scenario, the called telephone number, although still associated with primary system  103 , is not associated with a terminal that is directly served and controlled by primary system  103 . For example, the caller might have called a telephone number does not correspond to a specific, physical terminal associated with primary system  103 . Instead, the telephone number might map to a group of terminals (i.e., a subgroup of far telecommunications terminals  106 - 1  through  106 -K) associated with auxiliary data-processing system  105 , such as a customer support phone bank. As a result, primary system  103  directs the call over to auxiliary system  105 . As the terminating system of the call, primary system  103  transmits a ringback signal to the calling terminal in this second scenario as well. However, because auxiliary data-processing system  105  is a different system than primary data-processing system  103 , a response to the directing of the call might not be received by primary system  103  until after ringback is transmitted to the calling terminal. A technique is needed to improve how an incoming call is handled across multiple data-processing systems at the terminating end of the call. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a technique to improve how an incoming call is handled across multiple data-processing systems, without some of the disadvantages of the prior art. Specifically, in a telecommunications call when a called telephone number is not associated with a particular in-service terminal, an enhanced terminating system of the call refrains from transmitting ringback to the calling terminal until an appropriate event occurs, such as the receiving of an asynchronous response from the auxiliary data-processing system to which the call has been directed. Depending on the response received, the terminating system might refocus the call or provide other treatment to the call. 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, once the terminating system of the call directs the call to a terminal associated with the auxiliary data-processing system, the terminating system monitors for a response back from the auxiliary system. The response can either be: (i) a confirmation that indicates the target terminal (i.e., the “directed-to” terminal) has been notified of the call or is, in fact, alerting its user, or (ii) a failure that indicates the terminal is not able to take the call. If a confirmation is received, the terminating system transmits ringback to the calling terminal. If a failure is received, the terminating system refocuses the call (e.g., to another terminal in a group of terminals, to an alternative telephone number, etc.). The terminating system will also refocus the call if a response is not received within a time interval that is based on a predetermined value. In some embodiments, the value can be set by a technician. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the terminating system transmits a feedback signal to the calling terminal to provide an indication to the calling party that the call setup is (still) proceeding. The transmitted feedback signal is different than the ringback signal to distinguish a “call is being set up” indication from a “phone is ringing” indication. For example, the feedback signal might cause the calling terminal to output clicking sounds, comfort noise, or some other indication to the calling party that the call is still being set up. 
     The technique of the illustrative embodiment is significant, in that it moves beyond the telecommunications paradigm of assuming that a termination of an incoming call that involves an asynchronous system, such as the auxiliary data-processing system of the illustrative embodiment, has succeeded without confirming that the call termination really did succeed. Previously, the old paradigm of assuming success was usually correct because call-processing failures were typically the result of an under-engineered system. In the current cost-sensitive environment of providing telecommunications service, however, more and more service providers are intentionally under-engineering their systems. The technique disclosed herein can address some of the performance issues that emerge in such an environment. 
     The illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises: receiving a call from a calling telecommunications terminal; directing the call to a first telecommunications terminal that is associated with a data-processing system; and refraining from transmitting a ringback signal to the calling telecommunications terminal at least until an indication is received from the data-processing system, wherein the indication indicates that the first telecommunications terminal has been notified of the call. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of telecommunications system  100  in the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a schematic diagram of telecommunications system  200 , in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram of the salient components of enhanced data-processing system  203 , which is part of telecommunications system  200 . 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with determining how a call is to be handled, including when the terminal to which the call has been directed is unable to receive the call. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with determining one or more signals to transmit to the calling telecommunications terminal. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with refocusing the call originated by the calling telecommunications terminal. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The terms appearing below are given the following definitions for use in this Description and the appended Claims. 
     For the purposes of the specification and claims, the term “determinate termination” is defined as a station termination to a telecommunications terminal that is registered with the enhanced data-processing system in the illustrative embodiment—that is, the system that executes the tasks described below and with respect to  FIGS. 4 through 6 . A determinate termination guarantees that a telecommunications terminal is actually alerting as part of the setting up of a call. 
     For the purposes of the specification and claims, the term “indeterminate termination” is defined as a station termination to telecommunications terminal that is registered with a system other than the enhanced data-processing system, such as with the auxiliary data-processing system in the illustrative embodiment. An asynchronous response from the system where the terminal is registered is required to confirm the call termination of a call that is being set up. Note that a particular, called telephone number might have one or more determinate terminations and might also map to one or more indeterminate terminations. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a schematic diagram of telecommunications system  200 , in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Telecommunications system  200  comprises: 
     i. network telecommunications terminal  201 , 
     ii. telecommunications networks  202  and  207 , 
     iii. enhanced data-processing system  203 , 
     iv. near telecommunications terminals  204 - 1  through  204 -M, 
     v. auxiliary data-processing system  205 , 
     vi. far telecommunications terminals  206 - 1  through  206 -N; 
     all of which are interconnected as shown. The parameters M and N are positive integers. 
     The telecommunications terminals of telecommunications system  200  are devices that are capable of originating and receiving calls, as well as exchanging signals (e.g., voice, data, etc.) with other telecommunications terminals. In some embodiments, some of the calls include the initiation of sessions, as is known in the art. There are three categories of telecommunications terminals in telecommunications system  200 : near telecommunications terminals, far telecommunications terminals, and network telecommunications terminals. The terms “near” and “far” are used to distinguish between those terminals that are associated with enhanced data-processing system  203  (i.e., the “near” terminals) and those terminals that are associated with auxiliary data-processing system  205  (i.e., the “far” terminals). The adjectives “near” and “far” are not meant to imply any meaning other than that described. 
     Near telecommunications terminal  204 - m , wherein m is a value between 1 and M, inclusive, is a telecommunications terminal that is associated with enhanced data-processing system  203 . Terminal  204 - m  is “registered,” as is known in the art, with enhanced data-processing system  203  and, as a result, has a determinate termination from the perspective of enhanced data-processing system  203 . Terminal  204 - m  is capable of originating and receiving calls, as well as exchanging signals (e.g., control, voice, data, etc.) with other telecommunications terminals via enhanced data-processing system  203 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, terminal  204 - m  is a circuit-based deskset (e.g., a Plain Old Telephone Service wireline telephone, etc.). In some alternative embodiments, terminal  204 - m  might be another type of terminal, such as an Internet Protocol-capable terminal that transmits and receives packets of information. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use near telecommunications terminal  204 - m.    
     Far telecommunications terminal  206 - n , wherein n is a value between 1 and N, inclusive, is a telecommunications terminal that is associated with auxiliary data-processing system  205 . Terminal  206 - n  is registered with auxiliary data-processing system  205  and, as a result, has an indeterminate termination from the perspective of enhanced data-processing system  203 . Terminal  206 - n  is capable of originating and receiving calls, as well as exchanging signals (e.g., control, voice, data, etc.) with other telecommunications terminals through auxiliary data-processing system  205 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, terminal  206 - n  is an Internet Protocol-capable wireline terminal that transmits and receives packets of information and is a member of a group of phones, such as a customer support phone bank. In some alternative embodiments, terminal  206 - n  might be another type of terminal, such as a Plain Old Telephone Service wireline telephone, a (wireless) cell phone, and so forth. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use far telecommunications terminal  206 - n.    
     Network telecommunications terminal  201  is a telecommunications terminal that is associated with telecommunications network  202 . A terminal that is registered, for example, with a switch, router, or other device in network  202  is associated with telecommunications network  202 . Terminal  201  is capable of originating and receiving calls, as well as exchanging signals (e.g., control, voice, data, etc.) with other telecommunications terminals via network  202 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, terminal  201  is a circuit-based terminal (e.g., a Plain Old Telephone Service wireline telephone, etc.). In some alternative embodiments, terminal  201  might be another type of terminal. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use network telecommunications terminal  201 . 
     Telecommunications network  202  provides telecommunications service for one or more network-associated telecommunications terminals, such as network terminal  201 , and enables the terminals to communicate with one or more of near terminals  204 - 1  through  204 -M and far terminals  206 - 1  through  206 -N. Network  207  enables telecommunications service between systems  203  and  205  via trunks or other transmission pathways. One or more switches, routers, or other telecommunications-enabling devices constitute networks  202  and  207 . In some embodiments, telecommunications network  202  or  207  might comprise part of all of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), part or all of a packet data network, a combination of different types of networks, and so forth. 
     Enhanced data-processing system  203  is a private branch exchange (PBX) that directly serves and controls near terminals  204 - 1  through  204 -M, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The salient components of enhanced data-processing system  203  are described below and with respect to  FIG. 3 . Enhanced system  203  is capable of handling incoming calls (e.g., from network terminal  201 , etc.) from telecommunications network  202  via one or more transmission lines (e.g., Integrated Services Digital Network trunks, etc.). Enhanced system  203  forwards each incoming call to a telecommunications terminal. If the target terminal is associated (e.g., registered, etc.) with enhanced system  203 , then the terminal receiving the call is one of near terminals  204 - 1  through  204 -M. If the target terminal is associated with auxiliary data-processing system  205 , then the terminal receiving the call is one of far terminals  206 - 1  through  206 -N. Enhanced system  203  is also capable of handling calls from near terminals  204 - 1  through  204 -M and far terminals  206 - 1  through  206 -N, and forwarding those calls to one or more other terminals in telecommunications system  200 . 
     In addition, enhanced data-processing system  203  is capable of performing the tasks described below and with respect to  FIGS. 4 through 6 . Although the illustrative embodiment teaches that a private branch exchange performs the described tasks, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use the alternative embodiments of the present invention in which, for example, the tasks are performed by a switch, router, server, or other type of data-processing system within the Public Switched Telephone Network or another type of network. In other words, the present invention is equally well-suited for implementation in public and private telecommunications systems and in wireline and wireless systems as well. 
     Auxiliary data-processing system  205  is a communications server that directly serves and controls far terminals  206 - 1  through  206 -N, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In some alternative embodiments, auxiliary system  205  is a switch, router, server, or other type of data-processing system. Data-processing system  205  is capable of handling incoming calls (e.g., from network terminal  201 , from near terminal  204 - m , etc.) to far terminals  206 - 1  through  206 -N. Data-processing system  205  is also capable of handling outgoing calls from far terminals  206 - 1  through  206 -N to other terminals in telecommunications system  200  via enhanced data-processing system  203 . It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use auxiliary data-processing system  205 . 
     With respect to the relationship between enhanced data-processing system  203  and auxiliary data-processing system  205 , a call that is placed to a telephone number associated with enhanced system  203  is routed to enhanced system  203 , but might then be mapped by enhanced system  203  to: (i) a near terminal  204 - m , (ii) a far terminal  206 - n , or (iii) both a near terminal  204 - m  and a far terminal  206 - n . For example, enhanced system  203  might direct an incoming call via a trunk though network  207  and auxiliary system  205  to a far terminal  206 - n ; this might or might not be in addition to directing the incoming call to a near terminal  204 - m . In the example, the directed-to terminal, far terminal  206 - n , might be a Session Initiation Protocol-based phone and auxiliary system  205  might be co-located with enhanced system  203 , as part of an enterprise telecommunications system. Alternatively, far terminal  206 - k  might be an “off-PBX” cell phone and auxiliary system  205  might be a wireless switching center at a geographically-distant location. 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, auxiliary system  205  is physically distinct from enhanced system  203  and operates asynchronously with respect to enhanced system  203 . Although auxiliary system  205  is physically distinct from enhanced system  203 , those who are skilled in the art will appreciate that systems  203  and  205 , in some alternative embodiments, might be two software processes executing within the same data-processing system. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram of the salient components of enhanced data-processing system  203  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Enhanced data-processing system  203  comprises: switching fabric  301 , processor  302 , and memory  303 , interconnected as shown. 
     Switching fabric  301  is capable of performing all of the tasks described below and with respect to  FIGS. 4 through 6  under the direction of processor  302 . It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use switching fabric  301 . 
     Processor  302  is a general-purpose processor that is capable of receiving call-related data from switching fabric  301 , of reading data from and writing data to memory  303 , and of executing the tasks described below and with respect to  FIGS. 4 through 6 . In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, processor  302  might be a special-purpose processor. In either case, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use processor  302 . 
     Memory  303  is a non-volatile random-access memory that stores the instructions and data used by processor  302 . It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use memory  303 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with determining how a call is to be handled, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, including when the terminal to which the call has been directed is unable to receive the call. It will be clear to those skilled in the art which tasks depicted in  FIG. 4  can be performed simultaneously or in a different order than that depicted. 
     At task  401 , enhanced data-processing system  203  receives a call from a calling telecommunications terminal, such as network telecommunications terminal  201 . A user, for example, placed the call from the calling telecommunications terminal to a telephone number that is associated with enhanced system  203 ; therefore, the call was routed by network  202  to enhanced system  203 . Therefore, enhanced data-processing system  203  is considered to be the terminating system of the call. 
     At task  402 , enhanced system  203  directs the call to a first telecommunications terminal (e.g., terminal  206 - 1 , etc.) that is associated (e.g., registered, etc.) with auxiliary data-processing system  205 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the directed-to terminal has a telephone number (or other type of terminal identifier) that is different than the called telephone number to which the call was originally placed. In some alternative embodiments, the first telecommunications terminal is associated with a data-processing system that is physically distinct from enhanced system  203 , other than auxiliary system  205 . 
     At task  403 , enhanced system  203  determines one or more signals to transmit to the calling telecommunications terminal. For example, enhanced system  203  might determine to transmit a ringback signal, as is known in the art, to the calling terminal to let its user know that the first terminal is alerting its own user of the incoming call. The subtasks that are associated with task  403  are described below and with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
     At task  404 , enhanced system  203  refocuses the call based on the outcome of the subtasks associated with task  403 . The subtasks that are associated with task  404  are described below and with respect to  FIG. 6 . After task  404 , task execution proceeds back to task  403 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with determining one or more signals to transmit to the calling telecommunications terminal (i.e., the subtasks associated with task  403 ), in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear to those skilled in the art which tasks depicted in  FIG. 5  can be performed simultaneously or in a different order than that depicted. 
     At task  501 , enhanced data-processing system  203  determines if the called telephone number has at least one determinate termination. For example, the called telephone number (or other type of called party identifier) might be associated with a terminal that is registered with enhanced system  203 , such as near terminal  204 - 1 . If so, task execution proceeds to task  508 . If not, task execution proceeds to task  502 . 
     At task  502 , enhanced data-processing system  203  sets and starts a deferred-response timer. Enhanced system  203  uses the timer to establish a maximum length of time that enhanced system  203  will wait for a deferred, asynchronous response (to the currently-directed call) to be received from auxiliary data-processing system  205 . The time interval that is tracked by the timer is based on a value that is predetermined, such as by a technician who administers enhanced data-processing system  203 . The value is selectable from a range of values, such as from a relatively small value (e.g., 250 milliseconds, etc.) to a relatively large value (e.g., 32 seconds, etc.). In some alternative embodiments, enhanced system  203  maintains multiple deferred-response timers, such as one timer for each trunk group, as is known in the art, that spans from enhanced system  203  towards auxiliary system  205 . As those who are skilled in the art will appreciate, there are various ways to administer a timer, as well as other ways than by using a countdown timer to keep track of a time interval. 
     At task  503 , enhanced data-processing system  203  refrains from transmitting a ringback signal to the calling telecommunications terminal at least until an indication is received from auxiliary data-processing system  205 , such as an indication that indicates the directed-to terminal has been notified of the call. This is intended to avoid the scenario in which a calling party is provided with ringback, only to be followed by a busy or reorder indication. 
     At task  504 , enhanced data-processing system  203  optionally transmits a feedback signal to the calling terminal to provide feedback on the call setup in progress. It is possible for a calling party to experience a noticeable delay before the call has been directed to a terminal that is able to receive the call, whereupon ringback can be provided to the calling party. Although various types of signals can be used, a suitable feedback signal provides the calling party at least with an indication that the call setup is still proceeding (i.e., has not “gone dead” and is still there). In some embodiments, the feedback signal is intended to cause one or more clicking sounds to be outputted by the calling telecommunications terminal. In some other embodiments, the feedback signal is intended to cause “comfort noise,” as is known in the art, to be outputted by the calling telecommunications terminal. In any event, the feedback signal is different than the ringback signal employed by enhanced system  203 . 
     At task  505 , enhanced data-processing system  203  continues to monitor for a response from auxiliary data-processing system  205  in well-known fashion. 
     At task  506 , if a response indication has been received, task execution proceeds to task  507 . Otherwise, task execution proceeds to task  509 . A received response indication indicates the progress of the directing of the call to the directed-to terminal. 
     At task  507 , if the indication indicates that the directed-to terminal has been notified of the incoming call, task execution proceeds to task  508 . In some embodiments, the indication of the directed-to terminal having been notified also constitutes a notification that the directed-to terminal is alerting (e.g., ringing, etc.). In some alternative embodiments, responses that constitute a confirmation that would also cause task execution to proceed to task  508  include: (i) a response that indicates the call is alerting or connected on an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) trunk, and (ii) a provisional response other than “100 Trying” or “200 OK” from a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunk. 
     If, however, the indication indicates that the directed-to terminal has not been notified of the incoming call, task execution proceeds to task  404 . In some alternative embodiments, responses that constitute a failure that would also cause task execution to proceed to task  404  include: (i) a response that indicates the call is released from an ISDN trunk, and (ii) any final response from a SIP trunk. 
     At task  508 , enhanced data-processing system  203  transmits a ringback signal to the calling terminal in well-known fashion. Task execution then ends. 
     At task  509 , enhanced data-processing system  203  checks if the timer has expired. If so, task execution proceeds to task  404 . If not, task execution proceeds to task  503 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with refocusing the call originated by the calling telecommunications terminal (i.e., task  404 ), in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear to those skilled in the art which tasks depicted in  FIG. 6  can be performed simultaneously or in a different order than that depicted. 
     At task  601 , enhanced data-processing system  203  checks if there is a remaining member (i.e., a member that has not already been tried for the call) from the same group of telecommunications terminals, such as the next station in station-hunting or another member of the hunt group. “Station-hunting” and “hunt groups” are well-known in the art. If there is another member, task execution proceeds to task  602 . If there is not another member, task execution proceeds to task  603 . 
     At task  602 , enhanced data-processing system  203  directs the call to the next terminal (e.g., terminal  206 - 2 , etc.) in the group. The next terminal might or might not be associated with auxiliary system  205 . Task execution then proceeds to task  403 . 
     At task  603 , enhanced data-processing system  203  checks if “Call Forwarding Busy/Don&#39;t Answer” treatment (or equivalent) is to be applied to the call. “Call Forwarding Busy/Don&#39;t Answer” treatment, as is known in the art, forwards the call to a designated terminal if the called party does not answer. If the treatment is to be applied, task execution proceeds to task  604 . If the treatment is not to be applied, task execution proceeds to task  605 . 
     At task  604 , enhanced data-processing system  203  applies “Call Forwarding Busy/Don&#39;t Answer” treatment (or equivalent busy treatment) to the call in well-known fashion. Task execution then ends. 
     At task  605 , enhanced data-processing system  203  applies coverage treatment to the call in well-known fashion. For example, enhanced system  203  directs the call to a default telephone number of a covering party (e.g., an operator, etc.). Task execution then ends. 
     It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and that many variations of the above-described embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in this Specification, numerous specific details are provided in order to provide a thorough description and understanding of the illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of those details, or with other methods, materials, components, etc. 
     Furthermore, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the illustrative embodiments. It is understood that the various embodiments shown in the Figures are illustrative, and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that a particular feature, structures material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, but not necessarily all embodiments. Consequently, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout the Specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It is therefore intended that such variations be included within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.