MULTI-LINE TELEPHONE CONTROL SYSTEM

An automated telephone calling system receives a group of telephone numbers from a host computer. For each telephone number there is a corresponding record of unique information. The host computer is connected to drive a plurality of operator display terminals. Each number is automatically called and equipment provides detection of rings, busy signals, recordings and voice answers. When a party answers a call, the called line is connected to a non-busy one of a group of operations. At the same time a report is sent from a central controller to the host computer reporting which number has been successfully called and which operator has been selected for the audio connection. The host computer then calls up the record for the called number and transmits at least a portion of the record to the display for the selected operator. The operator is thus provided with an audio connection to the called party as well as a screen display of relevant information for that party. When all the operators are busy the called parties are placed on hold until an operator is free. The operators are thus provided with a continuous sequence of answered calls for optimum utilization of the operators' s time.