Method for restricting calls to a cell phone

• US 20060234711A1
• Filed: 04/14/2005
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: McArdle, James Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,218,924 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/445
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

The present invention is a method for restricting calls to a cell phone, including the steps of: receiving restriction information; testing an incoming call to the cell phone against the restriction information; and, if testing determines that the incoming call is restricted, routing the incoming call to a voice mail system, wherein routing is accomplished without disturbing a call recipient with the incoming call; or, if testing determines that the incoming call is not restricted, connecting the incoming call.

Claims

1. A method for restricting calls to a cell phone, comprising:

receiving restriction information;

testing an incoming call to the cell phone against the restriction information; and

,

if testing determines that the incoming call is restricted, routing the incoming call to a voicemail system, wherein routing is accomplished without disturbing a call recipient with the incoming call;

if testing determines that the incoming call is not restricted, connecting the incoming call.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restriction information is received via a web-based service.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an incoming call is restricted based upon the time of day during which the incoming call is made.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an incoming call is restricted based upon the day of the week during which the incoming call is made.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an incoming call is not restricted if the incoming call originates from a number designated as non-restricted in the restriction information.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restriction information is overridden via a password.

7. A program within a computer-readable medium for restricting incoming and outgoing cell phone calls, comprising:

instructions within the computer-readable medium for causing the computer to receive restriction information;

instructions within the computer-readable medium for causing the computer to test incoming and outgoing calls made to and from the cell phone against the restriction information;

instructions within the computer-readable medium for causing the computer to prevent a call from being connected if testing determines that the call is restricted; and

instructions within the computer-readable medium for causing the computer to connect a call if testing determines that the call is not restricted.

8. A program as claimed in claim 7, wherein the restriction information is received via a web-based service.

9. A program as claimed in claim 7, wherein a call is restricted based upon the time of day during which the call is made.

10. A program as claimed in claim 7, wherein a call is restricted based upon the day of the week during which the call is made.

11. A program as claimed in claim 7, wherein an outgoing call is not restricted if the call is made to a number designated as non-restricted by the restriction information.

12. A program as claimed in claim 7, wherein an incoming call is not restricted if the call originates from a number designated as non-restricted by the restriction information.

13. A program as claimed in claim 7, wherein the restriction information is overridden via a password.

14. A program as claimed in claim 7, wherein if testing determines that an incoming call is restricted, routing the incoming call to a voicemail system, wherein routing is accomplished without disturbing a call recipient with the incoming call.

15. A method for providing a service to restrict calls to a cell phone, comprising:

receiving restriction information;

receiving an incoming telephone call placed to the cell phone;

determining if the call was placed during a restricted period, wherein if a determination is made that the call was not placed during a restricted period, connecting the incoming call;

wherein if a determination is made that the call was placed during a restricted period, determining if the call originated from a non-restricted number;

wherein if a determination is made that the call originated from a non-restricted number, connecting the incoming call; and

,

if a determination is made that the call did not originate from a non-restricted number, routing the call as specified in the restriction information without disturbing a called party.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the restriction information is received via a web-based service.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a restricted period includes one or more specified time periods during which incoming calls are restricted.

18. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a restricted period includes one or more specified days of the week during which incoming calls are restricted.

19. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the restriction information includes one or more numbers designated as non-restricted.

20. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the restriction information is overridden via a password.