Telephone group identification ring

• US 20070263807A1
• Filed: 04/01/2006
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oro Grande Technology, LLC
• Original Assignee: Oro Grande Technology, LLC
• Inventors: Kraft, Clifford
• Granted Patent: US 7,995,734 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/142.10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/578 associated with a synthesized vocal announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/041 Encoding the ringing signal, i.e. providing distinctive or selective ringing capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]

Abstract

A telephone caller identification system where potential callers can be assigned to call-in groups, each call-in group having a particular ring. When a member of a particular call-in group calls, the telephone presents the ring associated with that call-in group. A caller not assigned to any call-in group causes the telephone to present a default ring. The telephone can also present particular transfer rings when transferred indicating that the call being transferred is from a caller belonging to a particular call-in group, or provide unique voice mail rings when a member of a call-in group leaves voice mail.

Claims

1. A telephone ring caller identification system comprising:

a telephone, said telephone containing a ring means capable of presenting a plurality of different rings;

a address database contained in said telephone including at least one name and number of a particular possible caller;

a group database containing at least one call-in group, said call-in group containing a name and number of a particular possible caller, said call-in group also being assigned a particular one of said plurality of rings;

wherein, when a caller belonging to said call-in group calls, said telephone presents the particular ring assigned to said call-in group.

2. The telephone ring caller identification system of claim 1 wherein said telephone is a cellular telephone.

3. The telephone ring caller identification system of claim 1 wherein said address database is an address book.

4. The telephone ring caller identification system of claim 3 wherein said address book includes an entry indicating membership in a particular call-in group.

5. The telephone ring caller identification system of claim 1 further comprising a particular call transfer ring being assigned to said call-in group.

6. The telephone ring caller identification system of claim 5 wherein said unique transfer ring is presented if an incoming call comes from a member of said call-in group and said telephone is transferred.

7. The telephone ring caller identification system of claim 1 wherein said telephone presents a default ring when said caller does not belong to any call-in group.

8. The telephone ring caller identification system of claim 1 further comprising a particular transfer ring also associated with said call-in group, wherein said unique transfer ring is presented if said caller belongs to said call-in group and the telephone is transferred.

9. The telephone ring caller identification system of claim 8 wherein said telephone presents a default transfer ring when the caller does not belong to any call-in group and the telephone is transferred.

10. The telephone ring caller identification system of claim 1 further comprising a particular voice mail ring assigned to said call-in group, wherein said particular voice mail ring is presented when a caller belonging to said call-in group leaves voice mail.

11. A method of identifying a caller of an incoming telephone call comprising the steps of:

creating a call-in group in a database contained in a telephone;

assigning a unique ring to said call-in group;

assigning at least one potential caller to said call-in group according to caller ID;

presenting said unique ring when a caller belonging to said call-in group calls.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said telephone is a cellular telephone.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

assigning a unique transfer ring to said call-in group;

presenting said unique transfer ring when said telephone is transferred and a member of said call-in group calls.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said potential caller is assigned to said call-in group by placing information concerning said assignment in an address book.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein said telephone presents a default ring when a caller who is not a member of any call-in group calls.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said telephone presents a default transfer ring when a caller who is not a member of any call-in group calls and said telephone is transferred.

17. The method of claim 11 comprising the step of providing a unique voice mail ring when a caller belonging to said call-in group leaves voice mail.