Patent ID: 7099452

Claim:
A method implemented by a computer network for processing a call in waiting, said method comprising the steps of: receiving, at a first processing node, call setup information for an incoming call that is initiated from a telephone set by a caller and is destined for a call waiting subscriber who is busy on a first call; delivering an announcement from the processing node to said caller, said announcement giving said caller at least two options, said options comprising a) delivering a call waiting alert tone to said subscriber's telephone set, and b) recording a message to be delivered to said subscriber substantially immediately after termination of said first call; receiving, at the processing node, a signal from said caller indicating that said caller wishes to record a message destined for said call waiting subscriber; delivering another announcement inviting said caller to start recording said message; and receiving from said caller said message being recorded terminating said reception of said message in response to receiving signaling information indicating that said call waiting subscriber is available to receive the caller's call while said message is being recorded; and establishing a communication path through the computer network between said call waiting subscriber and said caller.