Automated call screening

• US 5,347,574 A
• Filed: 04/01/1992
• Issued: 09/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aspect Communications Corporation (Alvaria Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Dytel Incorporated
• Inventors: Morganstein, Sanford J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dwyer, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MATAR, AHMAD
• Application Number:
  US07/861,998
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 379/210, 379/214, 379/212, 379/213, 379/142, 379/201, 379/211, 379/67, 379/233, 379/199, 379/89
• US Class Current: 379/207.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1309 Apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13194 Four wire connection, transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13256 Call screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13336 Store & forward, messaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1334 Configuration within the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13353 Routing table, map memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/62 : for connecting to private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/70 : Identification of class of calling subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

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.

Claims

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 said incoming call;

accessing said route directory in response to said incoming call to determine a destination route of said incoming call based upon said identity of said calling party;

connecting said incoming call to said voice messaging facility in response to said incoming call having a calling party identity programmed to route said incoming call to said voice messaging facility as determined by said route directory; and

indicating to an intended called party that said incoming call was connected to said voice messaging facility.

2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:

rerouting said incoming call from said voice messaging facility to said intended called party upon a request by said intended called party.