General

Functional Overview

Parking, Inquiry, Refer back (a.k.a. Alternation) and Transfer are four end-user features which can be initiated from analog extension, remote extensions or IP exten- sions. These features allow an extension to change the current speech/call status, and they are applicable only for voice calls. The features are also called 'three-party services'.

The features can basically also be requested by an operator, but that is not described here. Operator Extending is the same feature as Transfer.

In this description, user A is presumed to be an analog extension, an RXN or an IPeX.

Parking is initiated when an extension user, (A), who is in conversation with another party (B), presses a Hook-flash or R-key or equivalent, to put B on hold. Parking is not allowed if B is an operator, or a voice mail port.

Inquiry is initiated when an extension user (A), who is in conversation with another party (B), presses a Hook-flash or R-key or equivalent, to put B on hold and calls a new party (C). Inquiry is not allowed if B is an operator, or a voice mail port.

Refer back (Alternation) is initiated when an extension user (A), who is in conversation with one party (C) and has another party (B) parked, presses a suffix digit to put C on hold and get back in speech with B. Refer back is not allowed if C is an operator. Refer back is allowed if C is a voice mail port, but the connection to the voice mail port is released. For IP extensions the use of parking and retrieval can be understood as a Refer back. Therefore, the Inquiry call consists of a Parking request and a new call started from the IPeX.

Transfer is initiated when an extension user (A), who is calling or speaking with a party

(C) and has another party (B) on hold, goes on-hook (or equivalent) to connect speech between B and C, and get herself/himself released from speech connection. Network signaling is involved.

The following naming conventions are used to describe parties involved in parking, inquiry, refer back or transfer calls:

A= Parking initiating party, Inquiry initiating party, Alternating party, or Transfer initiating part

B= Parked party, Party in speech before Inquiry, Parked or waiting party before Refer back, or party on hold before Transfer.

C= New party in Inquiry, Party in speech before Refer back, or Party in speech before Transfer.

Glossary

For a complete list of abbreviations and glossary, see the description for ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS AND GLOSSARY.

Scenarios/Configurations

All services are internal, stand-alone services, except Transfer, which also supports network signaling, using two protocols (standard and proprietary ISDN).