ANRUFUMLEITUNG MIT AUTOMATISCHEM ZURÜCKVERBINDEN

A call processing method where a transferring station can be disconnected from a call after the call is transferred to a third station, but where the call is automatically returned to the transferring (e.g. second) station in response to either disconnect signaling or other predefined signaling, e.g., a flash or a dual-tone-multi-frequency (DTMF) tone, without requiring any station to dial the transferring station. The transferring station is for a subscriber to a new, transfer-with-return feature. The feature is invoked for the call either in response to a signal from the transferring station requesting invocation of the feature or because the subscriber has only the transfer-with-return feature and no other transfer feature. The call is also returned in response to a busy or no answer condition of the third station. In an arrangement comprising a switching system connected to the transferring station, and an adjunct switch also connected to the switching system, the initial connection may be from the calling station through the switching system, the adjunct switch, and back through the switching system to the transferring station. After the transfer, the connection need not go through the adjunct switch.