Automated personalized telephone management system

• US 20020076026A1
• Filed: 11/13/2001
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bobby G. Batten
• Original Assignee: Bobby G. Batten
• Inventors: Batten, Bobby G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,697,473 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/210.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2066 Call type detection of indication, e.g. voice or fax, mobile of fixed, PSTN or IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/527 Centralised call answering arrangements not requiring operator intervention

Abstract

A holistic, automated, personalized telephone call management system is capable of responding to all incoming calls. The system employs customized software, computer chips, printed circuit board, ANI, where available, and a data input/output module, which are applied in an integrated manner to accomplish a broad array of functions important to modem household communication needs. System accepts operational time factors and telephone numbers as stored data to be matched automatically with the telephone numbers of incoming calls. The telephone rings under certain qualifying criteria, and an incoming call is passed in silent mode to a smart answering machine under other criteria. The smart answering machine is capable of handling emergency call situations, and the integration of call-waiting options. System also has a smart software function to deal with a state of delinquency on any lease/rent contract for the system.

Claims

1. An automated, personalized telephone call management system, which comprises the operative combination of the following elements:

A. Means for inputting and storing telephone numbers within a plurality of priority groups in a database, and means for inputting and storing time periods for telephone call acceptance within each of the plurality of priority groups in the database;

B. Means for manually or automatically altering the time periods for telephone call acceptance within each of the plurality of priority groups in the database;

C. Means for providing a telephone ring for an incoming call emanating from a caller employing a telephone, the number of which matches a telephone number stored in the database within one of the plurality of priority groups, and only when the actual time of the call is within the time period for call acceptance within one of the plurality of priority groups in the database, coupled with means for transferring out of time acceptance period calls and other incoming calls to a smart answering message system providing a recorded message audible only to the caller and requesting that a communication be left by the caller;

D. Means for providing a telephone ring for an incoming call emanating from an exigency caller employing a telephone, the number of which does not match a telephone number within one of the plurality of priority groups in the database, coupled with means for providing a prompt to the exigency caller through the smart answering message system to press star on the keyboard of his/her telephone, thereby actuating auxiliary methodology to provide a telephone ring;

E. Means for entering into the database the number of the telephone from which an exigency caller has actuated the auxiliary methodology to provide a telephone ring, whether or not the call has been answered, coupled with means for causing a special indicator light to blink, thereby showing that an exigency call has been received; and

F. Means for inputting and storing within a non-acceptable caller data bank in the database the telephone number of any exigency caller who inappropriately uses the star key to activate the auxiliary methodology to provide a telephone ring, coupled with means for ensuring that any subsequent call from any number within the non-acceptable caller data bank in the database will not actuate the auxiliary methodology to provide a telephone ring.

2. The automated personalized telephone call management system of claim 1, which additionally comprises call-waiting methodology coupled with means for providing a call-waiting signal only when the telephone number of the telephone from which an incoming call emanates matches a telephone number stored in the database within one of the plurality of priority groups, including exigency generated calls, coupled with means for transferring other incoming calls to the smart answering message system.

3. The automated personalized telephone call management system of claim 1, which additionally comprises means for inputting and storing telephone numbers within an internet operations grouping in the database, coupled with means for providing interacting methodology for a special priority call selection when the internet is being accessed on the same telephone line.

4. The automated personalized telephone call management system of claim 1, which additionally comprises means for integrating home or office telephones and cellular telephones into the personalized telephone call management system.

5. The automated personalized telephone call management system of claim 1, which is provided as a self-contained hardware/software consumer product for home or office use.

6. The automated personalized telephone call management system of claim 1, which is provided as a module maintained by a telecommunications provider in their infrastructure to supply a value-added service.

7. The automated personalized telephone call management system of claim 1, which additionally comprises means for providing a non-blinking light to indicate non-exigency messages recorded by the smart answering message system.

8. The automated personalized telephone call management system of claim 1, which additionally comprises means for providing remote interrogation for messages recorded by the smart answering message system.

9. The automated personalized telephone call management system of claim 1, which additionally comprises means for maintaining current date and actual time inputs.

10. The automated personalized telephone call management system of claim 1, which additionally comprises means for deactivating and reactivating the exigency function of the system.

11. The personalized telephone call management system of claim 1, which additionally comprises means for achieving a software function to allow remote deactivation of the entire system for leased systems.