Communication network with hidden calling number capability
First Claim
1. A method of processing calls in a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving in a network element a call initiated by a caller over a calling line to a called party;
delivering partial calling line information to the called party prior to connecting the call, partial line information including only a first portion of a calling line number corresponding to the calling line, such that a second portion of the calling line number is hidden from the called party; and
storing the full calling line number associated with the calling line in an incoming call log maintained for the called party.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivering calling line information in a manner which preserves the privacy interests of the caller while providing useful information to the called party. The caller initiates a call from a caller terminal of a communication network. A destination central office or other network element receives the call along with a complete calling line number and delivers partial calling line information to the called party prior to connecting the call. The partial calling line information may include an NPA-NXX portion of an NPA-NXX-XXXX calling line number, geographical information such as state, county, city, township and zip code associated with the calling line, and/or an indication as to whether the call is from a residence, business, pay phone, cellular phone or other particular source such as a hospital or hotel. The central office or other network element may store the full calling line number in an incoming call log maintained for the called party, and a name selected by the called party may be associated with the calling line number. The central office will then deliver the selected name as part of the partial calling information when subsequent calls are placed from the calling line to the called party. This allows the called party to perform selective screening, call transfer and other functions without ever learning the full calling line number. The called party can also direct the central office to utilize the full calling line number stored therein to initiate a return call to the corresponding calling line.
157 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of processing calls in a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving in a network element a call initiated by a caller over a calling line to a called party; delivering partial calling line information to the called party prior to connecting the call, partial line information including only a first portion of a calling line number corresponding to the calling line, such that a second portion of the calling line number is hidden from the called party; and storing the full calling line number associated with the calling line in an incoming call log maintained for the called party. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for processing calls in a communication network, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory for storing calling line numbers; and a processor coupled to the memory and operative to receive a call initiated by a caller over a given calling line to a called party, and for delivering partial calling line information to the called party prior to connecting the call, the partial calling line information including only a first portion of a calling line number corresponding to the given calling line, such that a second portion of the calling line number is hidden from the called party; wherein the memory stores the full calling line number associated with the calling line in an incoming call log maintained for the called party. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of processing calls in a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving in a network element a call initiated by a caller over a calling line to a called party; and delivering to the called party prior to connecting the call only a first portion of the calling line number corresponding to the calling line and delivering, in place of a second portion of the calling line number, a generalized indication of the nature of the calling line. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of processing calls in a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:
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delivering a full calling line number as well as other partial calling line information to destination called parties of a first group of callers, wherein the first group of callers have not requested privacy; and delivering only the partial calling line information to destination called parties of a second group of callers that have requested privacy. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification