Message signaling arrangement between a switching system and user terminals

Abstract From the Canadian patent

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 a methods for holding or dropping calls. Implicit and explicit conferencing methods are also disclosed.