Caller discrimination within a telephone system
First Claim
1. A method for distinguishing between callers within a telephone system comprising the steps of:
- (a) storing a pass code for a first telephone within a memory of the telephone system; and
,(b) upon a caller calling the first telephone and entering the pass code, taking a specified passing action, including the following substeps;
(b.1) upon the caller calling the first telephone immediately applying a normal ringing pattern to the first telephone and returning a ring back signal to the caller, and(b.2) upon the caller entering the pass code while the normal ringing pattern is being applied, performing the specified passing action.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for a telephone subscriber to distinguish between callers. The method is accomplished by storing a pass code for a subscriber'"'"'s telephone within a memory of the telephone system. Callers who have been informed of the pass code and who call the subscriber'"'"'s telephone and enter the pass code receive special treatment. For example, upon the caller calling the subscriber'"'"'s telephone, a normal ringing pattern is applied to the subscriber'"'"'s telephone while a ring back signal is returned to the caller. Upon the caller entering the pass code, a special ringing pattern is applied to the subscriber'"'"'s telephone. The special ringing pattern is different than the normal ringing pattern and thus indicates to a subscriber of the subscriber'"'"'s telephone, even before the telephone is answered, that the caller is one of a select group of callers to whom the subscriber has shared the pass code.
40 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for distinguishing between callers within a telephone system comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing a pass code for a first telephone within a memory of the telephone system; and
,(b) upon a caller calling the first telephone and entering the pass code, taking a specified passing action, including the following substeps; (b.1) upon the caller calling the first telephone immediately applying a normal ringing pattern to the first telephone and returning a ring back signal to the caller, and (b.2) upon the caller entering the pass code while the normal ringing pattern is being applied, performing the specified passing action. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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4. A method for distinguishing between callers within a telephone system comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing a pass code for a first telephone within a memory of the telephone system; and
,(b) upon a caller calling the first telephone and entering the pass code, taking a specified passing action, wherein step (b) includes the following substeps; (b.1) upon the caller calling the first telephone, and the first telephone being connected to another party, immediately returning a busy signal to the caller, and (b.2) upon the caller entering the pass code while the busy signal is being returned to the caller, forwarding a special notification to the first telephone. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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16. A method for distinguishing between callers within a telephone system comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing a pass code for a first telephone within a memory of the telephone system; and
,(b) upon a caller calling the first telephone and entering the pass code, taking a specified passing action, wherein step (b) includes the following substeps; (b.1) upon the caller calling the first telephone, and the first telephone being in a do not disturb mode, immediately returning a busy signal to the caller, and (b.2) upon the caller entering the pass code while the busy signal is being returned to the caller, applying a ringing pattern to the first telephone and returning a ring back signal to the caller.
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17. A method for providing caller discrimination within a telephone system comprising the steps of:
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(a) upon a caller calling a first telephone, immediately applying a normal ringing pattern to the first telephone and returning a ring back signal to the caller; and
,(b) upon the caller entering a pass code while the normal ringing pattern is being applied, applying a special ringing pattern to the first telephone, the special ringing pattern being different than the normal ringing pattern.
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18. A method for providing caller discrimination within a telephone system comprising the steps of:
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(a) upon a caller calling a first telephone, and the first telephone being in a do not disturb mode, immediately returning a busy signal to the caller; and
,(b) upon the caller entering a pass code while the busy signal is being returned to the caller, applying a ringing pattern to the first telephone and returning a ring back signal to the caller.
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19. A method for providing caller discrimination within a telephone system comprising the steps of:
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(a) upon a caller calling a first telephone, and the first telephone being connected to another party, immediately returning a busy signal to the caller; and
,(b) upon the caller entering a pass code while the busy signal is being returned to the caller, forwarding a special notification to the first telephone. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification