Automated call screening
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for controlling routing of a telephone call, comprising the steps of:
- programming a route directory with at least one potential calling party identity to be associated with one of a plurality of destinations including an intended called party and a voice messaging facility;
receiving an incoming telephone call directed to a switching system and receiving an identity of a calling party placing the incoming call;
accessing the route directory in response to the incoming call to determine the destination route of the incoming call based upon the identity of the calling party; and
in response to said step of determining the destination route, connecting the incoming call to the voice messaging facility.
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Abstract
A method for facilitating call completions utilizing a call identification telephone number which is transmitted along with an incoming call. A user of the call processor of the invention can program a list of anticipated or preferred call identification telephone numbers, together with destinations to which it is desired to route the respective incoming calls. During an incoming call, the call processor matches the associated call identification telephone number with a preprogrammed number and thereby completes the call according to the programmed destination.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for controlling routing of a telephone call, comprising the steps of:
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programming a route directory with at least one potential calling party identity to be associated with one of a plurality of destinations including an intended called party and a voice messaging facility; receiving an incoming telephone call directed to a switching system and receiving an identity of a calling party placing the incoming call; accessing the route directory in response to the incoming call to determine the destination route of the incoming call based upon the identity of the calling party; and in response to said step of determining the destination route, connecting the incoming call to the voice messaging facility.
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2. A method of limited access controlled routing of a telephone call, comprising the steps of:
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providing a programming mode in a call processor for allowing an authorized programming user to whom a call can be directed to program the call processor to control the routing of incoming calls directed to said authorized user, comprising the substeps of; storing at least one authorization security code in a look-up table; prompting a programming user to input a code; comparing said code input by said programming user with said authorization codes in said look-up table; responsive to said step of comparing, when said code input by said programming user corresponds to a said authorization code in said look-up table, authorizing said programming user to program said call processor; and providing a program within said call processor for allowing said authorized programming user to enter calling party identifying indicia and a call route destination associated with each said identifying indicia, the call route destination selected from a plurality of destinations including said programming user and a voice messaging facility. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A call processor for controlling routing of a telephone call, comprising:
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a receiver adapted to receive a call identification number identifying a calling party, said identification number being received in a format selected from a group including digital and DTMF formats; a memory for storing the call identification number; a look-up table programmable by a user of the call processor for listing indicia for identifying calling parties and for cross-referencing a destination to said indicia, said destination selected from a plurality of destinations including the user and a voice messaging facility; a comparator for comparing a call identification number received in association with an incoming call to said call processor with entries in said look-up table; and call route directing apparatus for connecting the incoming call to the destination cross-referenced in said look-up table on an affirmative comparison of the call identification number via said calling party identifying indicia. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification