Telephone call screening and answering device
First Claim
1. A telephone call screening device comprising:
- a. telephone line attachment means for receiving calls in a network delivering calling numbers to called lines,b. audio input means for receiving spoken messages,c. audio output means for reproducing said spoken messages,d. storage means for retaining a plurality of said delivered calling numbers and said spoken messages associated as pairs,e. search means for indicating equivalence or nonequivalence between each newly delivered calling number and any among said plurality of delivered calling numbers then retained by said storage means,f. recording/playing means for automatically prompting for spoken messages and transferring from said audio input means to said storage means as pairs, said spoken messages thus prompted and said delivered calling numbers following calls for which said search means indicates nonequivalence with any said calling number then retained, and playback means for automatically retrieving from said storage means and presenting to said audio output means said spoken messages associated with said delivered calling numbers then retained upon receipt of calls for which said search means indicates equivalence, whereby the identities of parties associated with said delivered calling numbers are announced by said spoken messages before calls are answered.
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Accused Products
Abstract
For receiving calls in a network delivering calling numbers to called lines. A device and process whereby a plurality of delivered calling number and associated announcement message pairs is automatically acquired and accumulated upon receipt of calls from unrecognized calling numbers. Upon receipt of calls from calling numbers for which matching calling number and announcement message pairs have been previously acquired in this manner, the matching announcements are automatically played to aid the user in identifying calling parties before answering calls. Calling numbers and spoken announcements thus acquired are additionally used to audibly describe previously received calls both locally and remotely, and to assist with the preparation and delivery of outgoing messages and with returning calls.
179 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A telephone call screening device comprising:
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a. telephone line attachment means for receiving calls in a network delivering calling numbers to called lines, b. audio input means for receiving spoken messages, c. audio output means for reproducing said spoken messages, d. storage means for retaining a plurality of said delivered calling numbers and said spoken messages associated as pairs, e. search means for indicating equivalence or nonequivalence between each newly delivered calling number and any among said plurality of delivered calling numbers then retained by said storage means, f. recording/playing means for automatically prompting for spoken messages and transferring from said audio input means to said storage means as pairs, said spoken messages thus prompted and said delivered calling numbers following calls for which said search means indicates nonequivalence with any said calling number then retained, and playback means for automatically retrieving from said storage means and presenting to said audio output means said spoken messages associated with said delivered calling numbers then retained upon receipt of calls for which said search means indicates equivalence, whereby the identities of parties associated with said delivered calling numbers are announced by said spoken messages before calls are answered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for announcing the identities of calling parties to called parties before calls are answered comprising the steps of:
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a. comparing the calling party number delivered when a call is offered against a plurality of calling party numbers retained from previously offered calls, b. in case no match is found to exist, retaining said delivered calling number, and soliciting for and also retaining an associated announcement identifying the calling party, and c. in case a match is found to exist, retrieving and playing said calling party identifying announcement associated with said matching calling number previously delivered and retained, whereby the identities of calling parties are announced before calls are answered.
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Specification