Methods for performing intelligent network services with an ISDN network terminator located at a subscriber's premise

Abstract

Disclosed are call processing methods which are performed by a network terminator located at a subscriber's premise. The network terminator is coupled to a digital network and a communication device at the subscriber's premise and can perform call waiting, caller identification, call conferencing without intervention from a telco's switching system that requires an additional charge to the subscriber for these services. In addition, the network terminator can perform a method which allows two digital communication devices coupled to one S-bus to share a communication session. In another embodiment, up to a six way conference call can be established with an analog telephone coupled to an ISDN network via the network terminator of the present invention.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of conferencing calls from an analog communication device at a subscriber's premises to a digital network, the method comprising the steps of: 
       providing a network adapter operatively coupled to said analog communication device and said digital network, said network adapter having an operational state responsive to hook flash commands from the analog communication device coupled to said network adapter, said hook flash commands comprising any of short hook flash commands, long hook flash commands, and double hook flash commands,  
       establishing a first call on the analog device on a first communication channel,  
       placing said first call on hold using said hook flash commands,  
       establishing a second call from the analog device on the second communication channel,  
       placing said second call on hold, and using said hook flash commands establishing a three way conference call between the analog communication device and the first and second calls using said hook flash commands.  
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
       placing said three way conference on hold, and  
       establishing a third call on the analog device on the first communication channel.  
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising the step of adding the third call to the conference such that a four way conference call is established between the analog device and the first, second and third calls. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the step of adding a fourth and a fifth call to the conference such that a six way conference call is established between the analog device and the first, second, third, fourth and fifth calls. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
       placing said three way conference on hold,  
       dropping said second call from said conference, and  
       returning said analog device to said conference such that a two way conference call is established between said analog device and said first call.  
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the digital network comprises an Integrated Services Digital Network, the first communication channel comprises an ISDN B-channel and the analog communication device comprises an analog telephone. 
     
     
       7. A method of conferencing calls from an analog communication device at a subscriber's premises to a digital network, the method comprising the steps of: 
       
         providing a network adapter operatively coupled to said analog communication device and said digital network, said network adapter having an operational state responsive to one or more hook flash signals from the analog communication device coupled to said network adapter, said hook flash signals including any of short hook flash, a long hook flash and a double hook flash,  
       
       
         establishing a first call from the analog device on a first digital communication channel;  
       
       
         placing said first call on hold using one of said hook flash signals;  
       
       
         establishing a second call from the analog device on the first digital communication channel; and  
       
       
         using one of the hook flash signals to establish a three way conference call between the analog communication device and the first call on the first digital communication channel.