Method and device for identifying and notifying the recipient of a phone call using a distinct phone ring pattern assigned to that call recipient
First Claim
1. A method for enabling a recipient of a phone call on a shared telephone device to receive a personalized phone ring pattern, by which the recipient recognizes that the call is intended for him or herself only, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) intercepting a phone call to the call recipient, by a Directed Phone Call (DPC) device;
b) presenting said caller with a list of call receivers and means for accessing an intended recipient of said call;
c) selecting said intended recipient; and
d) executing a particular phone ring pattern, as pre-configured by said intended recipient of said call.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a method and device for identifying and notifying the recipient of a phone call, prior to the call being answered, using distinctive aural clues, such a unique phone ring pattern or melody, or distinctive lighting clues, pre-assigned to each phone call recipient and by which each recipient recognizes the call as being intended for them. The invention achieves call recipient identification by allowing the caller either to select the intended recipient from a list automatically announced when she calls by typing in a code associated with each recipient on the list or by directly typing in a pre-assigned code unique to the intended call recipient. The phone then rings in a distinctive manner, deploying a unique ring pattern or melody, or lights up in a distinctive manner, previously assigned and known to the call recipient, thus providing a clear clue as to the identity of the intended call recipient. The uniquely assigned phone ring pattern or lighting pattern is recognized by its owner (the call recipient), who then answers the phone in the certain knowledge that the phone call is directed to him or her. If the intended recipient is not present or does not answer the call, the invention provides for the possibility of a voice message to be left by the caller in that individual'"'"'s voice mailbox. The intended recipients can then retrieve voice messages left for them at their own leisure and convenience, using their own private password to access their personal voice mailbox
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for enabling a recipient of a phone call on a shared telephone device to receive a personalized phone ring pattern, by which the recipient recognizes that the call is intended for him or herself only, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) intercepting a phone call to the call recipient, by a Directed Phone Call (DPC) device;
b) presenting said caller with a list of call receivers and means for accessing an intended recipient of said call;
c) selecting said intended recipient; and
d) executing a particular phone ring pattern, as pre-configured by said intended recipient of said call. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for enabling a caller to identify a particular call receiver on a shared telephone device, such that a personalized phone ring pattern is used by which the particular recipient recognizes that the call is intended for him or herself only, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) placing a phone call to a particular recipient'"'"'s phone, by the caller;
b) intercepting said phone call before a Hook Switch of the call receiver'"'"'s phone, by a DPC device;
c) presenting the caller with a list of users of said DPC device and an assigned code to be pressed to access the particular recipient of said call;
d) selecting the particular recipient'"'"'s assigned code; and
e) executing a pre-configured phone ring pattern, chosen by the particular call recipient.
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9. A system for enabling a phone call initiator to identify and notify a specific recipient of a phone call, prior to the call being answered, using a distinctive phone ring pattern or melody pre-assigned to the specific call recipient, by which each recipient of a shared phone device recognizes the call as being intended for them, the system comprising:
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a) a Microprocessor-based module for processing data requests and storing system data;
b) a Music module for producing a plurality of distinctive phone ring patterns;
- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for enabling a subscriber to configure a personalized phone ring pattern when receiving phone calls intended for the particular subscriber, the method comprising:
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i. dialing a configuration number to connect to a Directed Phone Call (DPC) device, by the subscriber;
ii. entering a subscriber code, in order to access said DPC device;
iii. entering a preferred phone ring pattern, by the subscriber;
iv. confirming said phone ring pattern; and
v. configuring said phone ring pattern into said DPC device. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A system for enabling a call initiator to identify and notify a specific recipient of a phone call, prior to the call being answered, using a distinctive call lighting mechanism pre-assigned to the specific call recipient, by which each recipient of a shared phone device recognizes the call as being intended for them, the system comprising:
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a) a Directed Phone Call device for processing requests and storing data; and
b) a call lighting mechanism for produce various lighting signals.
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Specification