Three-way call detection and response system
First Claim
1. A method of processing a telephone call, said method comprising the steps of:
- identifying a first location as a location requiring monitoring;
establishing a communication path to allow monitoring;
mapping the communication path to a port of a monitoring apparatus;
monitoring the communication path connecting a telephone call originator at the first location and a telephone call recipient at a second location to detect an attempted three-way telephone call placement by the telephone call recipient, wherein monitoring is performed at a location distant from the first location, andupon detection of an attempted three-way telephone call placement, responding in a predetermined manner.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A three-way call detection and response system comprising, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, a three-way call detector coupled non-intrusively, by a bridge repeater, to a communication path carrying digital signals between originator and recipient end office telecommunication switches. The three-way call detector includes an interface and a digital signal processor electrically connected to the bridge repeater for receipt of digital signals from the communication path. The three-way call detector also includes a local controller which interacts with the interface, a digital signal processor, and a remote controller. The remote controller executes a plurality of software programs which control operation of the system. In accordance with a preferred method, the three-way call detection and response system monitors the communication path for indicia representative of a three-way call signature and, hence, an attempted three-way call placement. Upon identifying a suspected three-way call signature, the system examines the digital signals to determine the spectral characteristics of a suspected release pulse of the suspected three-way call signature. Using pattern recognition techniques to compare the spectral characteristics of the suspected release pulse with the spectral characteristics of known, reference release pulses, the system determines whether or not the release pulse is substantially similar to the release pulse of an actual three-way call signature. If so, and after also identifying first and second periods of silence about the release pulse, the system responds to the detection, for example, by disconnecting the telephone call, playing a recording over the communication path, or creating a record of the attempted three-way call placement.
137 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of processing a telephone call, said method comprising the steps of:
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identifying a first location as a location requiring monitoring; establishing a communication path to allow monitoring; mapping the communication path to a port of a monitoring apparatus; monitoring the communication path connecting a telephone call originator at the first location and a telephone call recipient at a second location to detect an attempted three-way telephone call placement by the telephone call recipient, wherein monitoring is performed at a location distant from the first location, and upon detection of an attempted three-way telephone call placement, responding in a predetermined manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of detecting and responding to an attempted three-way telephone call placement, the method comprising the steps of;
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acquiring a digital signal from a communication path; and examining the digital signal to detect a signature representative of attempted three-way telephone call placement; wherein the step of acquiring includes, at least, tapping the communication path without substantially degrading the digital signal transmitted on the communication path. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for processing a telephone call, said apparatus comprising:
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a three-way call detector, connected to a communication path at a location distant from an originator telephone, wherein said communication path connects said originator telephone and a recipient telephone; a controller operably connected to said three-way detector, and a bridge repeater electrically interposed between said three-way call detector and said communication path. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of detecting and responding to an attempted three-way telephone call placement, said method comprising the steps of;
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acquiring a signal by monitoring a communication path from a monitoring device connected in parallel to the communication path; and examining the signal to detect a signature representative of attempted three-way telephone call placement, and responding in a predetermined manner.
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33. An apparatus for processing a telephone call, said apparatus comprising:
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a three-way call detector connected in parallel to a communication path at a location distant from a first telephone, wherein said communication path connects said first telephone and a second telephone; and a controller operably connected to said three-way call detector.
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Specification