Telephone call screening device
First Claim
1. A device for screening incoming telephone calls on a telephone line based on an authorized caller list, comprising:
- means for extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call on the telephone line;
means for comparing the caller identification information with the authorized caller list;
means for allowing the incoming telephone call to ring normally when the caller identification information is contained in the authorized caller list; and
means for allowing an alternative ringing when caller identification information is not contained in the authorized caller list.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device is provided for screening incoming telephone calls. A list of authorized callers'"'"' telephone numbers is maintained in the device. Incoming telephone calls are detected and caller identification information (i.e., the originating telephone number of the call) is extracted. The caller identification information is compared with the authorized caller list. If the caller identification information for the incoming call is in the list, the telephone is allowed to ring normally. If the caller identification information for the incoming call is not in the list the telephone is prevented from ringing normally. The telephone can be prevented from ringing normally by answering the unauthorized call, by generating a distinctive ring for the call, or by redirecting the call to a separate telephone or to an answering machine.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for screening incoming telephone calls on a telephone line based on an authorized caller list, comprising:
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means for extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call on the telephone line; means for comparing the caller identification information with the authorized caller list; means for allowing the incoming telephone call to ring normally when the caller identification information is contained in the authorized caller list; and means for allowing an alternative ringing when caller identification information is not contained in the authorized caller list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for screening incoming telephone calls on a telephone line based on an authorized caller list, comprising the steps of:
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extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call on the telephone line; comparing the caller identification information with the authorized caller list; allowing the incoming telephone call to ring normally when the caller identification information is contained in the authorized caller list; and allowing the incoming telephone call to have alternative ringing when the caller identification information is not contained in the authorized caller list. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification