System and method for reducing call interruptions on a telephone
First Claim
1. A method for reducing call interruptions on a telephone, wherein the call interruptions are produced by a caller placing a call to the telephone, the method comprising:
- the telephone receiving the telephone call from the caller;
the telephone determining if a nocall feature is enabled;
if the no-call feature is not enabled, the telephone generating a ring signal; and
if the no-call feature is enabled, the telephone;
generating a warning signal to alert a user that an in-coming call has been received while the no-call feature is enabled, wherein said warning signal produces a sound different from said ring signal;
answering said telephone call prior to the telephone ringing; and
playing a message to the caller indicating that no calls are being taken, wherein the telephone plays the message after the telephone answers the telephone call and after said generating a warning signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention comprises an improved telephone system and method that reduce call interruptions to a telephone, i.e., reduce interruptions caused by a caller placing a call to the telephone. If the no-call feature is enabled and a call is received by the telephone, the telephone answers the incoming telephone call in response to receiving the telephone call. The telephone then plays a message to the caller indicating that no calls are being taken. The telephone does not generate an audible ring signal in response to the telephone call received from the caller. The telephone system further comprises an exemption logic unit for allowing calls placed by certain callers to come through even when the no-call feature is enabled. The user indicates the exception parties to the no-call feature prior to receiving a call from an external party or at a later time. If the caller is determined to be an exception party after a telephone call is received, a ring signal is generated, and the user may then answer the call in a normal fashion. Several methods are used to determine whether the caller is an exception party. In one method, the voice of the caller is analyzed using voice recognition techniques to determine the identity of the caller. Alternatively, a caller is asked to enter a personal identification number. Upon entering the correct identification number, the call is allowed through. A third method of identifying the caller comprises using information obtained from a Caller ID unit.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for reducing call interruptions on a telephone, wherein the call interruptions are produced by a caller placing a call to the telephone, the method comprising:
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the telephone receiving the telephone call from the caller;
the telephone determining if a nocall feature is enabled;
if the no-call feature is not enabled, the telephone generating a ring signal; and
if the no-call feature is enabled, the telephone;
generating a warning signal to alert a user that an in-coming call has been received while the no-call feature is enabled, wherein said warning signal produces a sound different from said ring signal;
answering said telephone call prior to the telephone ringing; and
playing a message to the caller indicating that no calls are being taken, wherein the telephone plays the message after the telephone answers the telephone call and after said generating a warning signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A telephone system, comprising:
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a port for coupling to a telephone line for receiving telephone signals;
circuitry for generating a ring signal;
circuitry for generating a warning signal; and
no-call feature logic coupled to the port, to the circuitry for generating a ring signal and to the circuitry for generating a warning signal, wherein said no-call feature logic determines whether a no-call feature is enabled;
wherein said no-call feature logic, in response to a received call and if said no-call feature is enabled;
causes said circuitry for generating a warning signal to generate the warning signal to alert a user that an in-coming call has been received while the no-call feature is enabled;
answers the received call without allowing the circuitry for generating a ring signal to generate a ring signal; and
after said warning signal is generated, plays a message to a caller indicating that no calls are being taken;
wherein said warning signal produces a sound different than said ring signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification