System for recording and connecting waiting calls on a chronological basis

Claim 1

A chronological classification system for waiting calls utilizable in semi-automatic switching systems comprising: a plurality of incoming units, each including a call detecting circuit, an age indication storing device and a comparing device; a common unit including a first counter and first storage means coupled to said counter for indicating age classes and providing corresponding current age indications intended for incoming units; said common unit including a second counter and second storage means coupled to said second counter for providing served age indications designating age classes to be handled by operators; control means causing the first counter to step at regular intervals in order to determine current age classes of equal duration; a call detecting circuit of an incoming unit detecting calls originating in the unit; means in the unit for controlling the storing, into the first storage means of the current age indication provided at that very instant by the first counter of the common unit; a comparing device coupled to compare the indications of age classes in said first storage means with the served age indication provided by the second storage means and providing, when these two indications become identical, a signal requesting that the considered call be handled; the second counter stepping by one step when the age class it indicates does not encompass any waiting call, so as to give the highest priority to the calls of the next class; this system thus enabling grouping the calls into age classes and designating the calls belonging to the oldest age class so that these calls may be handled in priority.