Automatic call back system and method of operation

A system and method of answering incoming calls are disclosed in which, if the resource (18)(19) desired by the caller is not then available, a robot controller (14) will inform the caller when a call back to the caller can be made. The callback time can be suggested by the robot controller (14) or the caller can request a specific callback time. The robot controller (14) ascertains and verifies the caller's call back identity and stores the number of the identity in a callback queue (11) along with such other pertinent information as the callback time, the caller's name and the required resource. At the appropriate time, the robot controller (14) removes the information from the callback queue (11), places the call and connects the desired resource (18)(19).