Enhanced call-waiting with caller identification method and apparatus

• US 6,339,639 B1
• Filed: 11/04/1997
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel A. Henderson
• Original Assignee: Daniel A. Henderson
• Inventors: Henderson, Daniel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford N
• Application Number:
  US08/963,689
• Time in Patent Office: 1,533 Days
• Field of Search: 379/142, 379/215, 379/376, 379/162, 379/179, 379/164, 379/245, 379/246, 379/252, 379/373, 379/377, 379/142.08, 379/215.01, 455/415
• US Class Current: 379/142.08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/573 Line monitoring circuits for detecting caller identification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold

Abstract

An enhanced telephony call waiting feature and apparatus is provided wherein identifying information related to a third party wishing to converse with a first party already communicating with a second party is provided to the first party during a mute condition in a manner that minimizes the time period of the mute condition. The method is fully compatible with existing services while allowing for new services. The method comprises the steps of the local switching office sending a call waiting tone having predetermined characteristics to the first party and its apparatus responding thereto by generating an acknowledgment signal. The apparatus then initiates a mute condition simultaneous with the ACK signal generation, or in response to detection of a carrier signal, or at some other time after exchange of the call waiting tone and/or the acknowledgment signal has occurred. Various methods are disclosed which initiate and terminate the mute condition in the apparatus of the first and second party to allow for the receipt, storage, and display of caller identifying data while minimizing the period of time the first and second party are muted from communicating. The first party may either accept or reject the waiting call in the conventional manner as based on the third party identifying information. Additional features such as voice announcement of the identifying data and comparison with pre-stored data records is also discussed.

Claims

1. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office an acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party;

(d) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the presence of said data transmission by muting its'"'"' own handset;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to know the identity of the third party; and

(f) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein said termination of said muting of said handset occurs before said first party apparatus displays said identifying information.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein said first party apparatus initiates a timer for starting a predetermined time period that is related to at least one of the generation of said acknowledgment signal or the occurrence of the mute condition, and said termination of the muting of the handset occurs in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

8. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said first party apparatus further responds by terminating said muting of said handset in response to receipt of at least one particular end of data signal present in said data transmitted from said switching office.

10. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said first party apparatus responds to the presence of data being transmitted from said switching office to said first party apparatus by muting its'"'"' own handset utilizing a carrier detection circuit.

14. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said first party apparatus generates a message received signal back to the local switching office, after it has received said identifying data, so that the local switching office can know that the first party apparatus successfully received all of the data transmitted.

16. A method as in claim 14 wherein said local switching office can terminate the mute condition of said second party responsive to said message received signal from said first party apparatus so as to minimize the time that a second party is muted.

18. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said first party apparatus further includes a timer for starting a predetermined period of time that is related to the detection of said data transmitted from said local switching office, and said termination of the muting of the handset of said first party apparatus occurs in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

20. The method as in claim 1 wherein said first party apparatus includes:

(a) a database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields;

(b) a comparator for comparing said identifying information received with at least one of said plurality of associated data fields; and

(c) a display member for displaying at least one of (1) said received identifying information, and (2) information obtained from said plurality of data fields.

2. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office a specific acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready and authorized to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the first party apparatus then muting its'"'"' own handset in response to generation of the acknowledgment signal;

(d) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party in response to receiving said acknowledgment signal from said apparatus;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to know the identity of the third party; and

(f) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation.

4. A method as in claim 2 wherein said termination of said muting of said handset occurs before said first party apparatus displays said identifying information.

5. A method as in claim 2 wherein said first party apparatus mutes its'"'"' own handset simultaneously and concurrently with said generation of said acknowledgment signal.

7. A method as in claim 2 wherein said first party apparatus initiates a timer for starting a predetermined time period that is related to at least one of the generation of said acknowledgment signal or the occurrence of the mute condition, and said termination of the muting of the handset occurs in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

9. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said first party apparatus further responds by terminating said muting of said handset in response to receipt of at least one particular end of data signal present in said data transmitted from said switching office.

11. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said first party apparatus responds to the presence of data being transmitted from said switching office to said first party apparatus by muting its'"'"' own handset utilizing a carrier detection circuit.

15. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said first party apparatus generates a message received signal back to the local switching office, after it has received said identifying data, so that the local switching office can know that the first party apparatus successfully received all of the data transmitted.

17. A method as in claim 15 wherein said local switching office can terminate the mute condition of said second party responsive to said message received signal from said first party apparatus so as to minimize the time that a second party is muted.

19. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said first party apparatus further includes a timer for starting a predetermined period of time that is related to the detection of said data transmitted from said local switching office, and said termination of the muting of the handset of said first party apparatus occurs in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

12. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office an acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party;

(d) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the presence of said data transmission by muting its'"'"' own handset;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to know the identity of the third party; and

(f) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversion;

(g) thus minimizing the period of time for a mute condition of a second party wherein if said local switching office does not receive an acknowledgment signal from said first party apparatus within a predetermined time period after generation of said call waiting tone, said local switching office terminates a mute condition for said second party.

13. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office a specific acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready and authorized to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the first party apparatus then muting its'"'"' own handset in response to generation of the acknowledgment signal;

(d) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party in response to receiving said acknowledgment signal from said apparatus;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to know the identity of the third party; and

(f) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation;

(g) thus minimizing the period of time for a mute condition of a second party wherein if said local switching office does not receive an acknowledgment signal from said first party apparatus within a predetermined time period after generation of said call waiting tone, said local switching office terminates a mute condition for said second party.

21. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office a specific acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready and authorized to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the first party apparatus then muting its'"'"' own hand set in response to generation of the acknowledgment signal;

(d) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party in response to receiving said acknowledgment signal from said apparatus;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to know the identity of the third party; and

(f) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation;

(g) wherein said first party apparatus includes;

(1) a database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields;

(2) a comparator for comparing said identifying information received with at least one of said plurality of associated data fields; and

(3) a display member for displaying at least one of (1) said received identifying information, and (2) information obtained from said plurality of data fields.

22. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the switching office an acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party;

(d) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the presence of said data transmission by muting its'"'"' own handset;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving and storing said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission;

(f) the first party apparatus terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset in response to the expiration of a predetermined time period, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation; and

(g) the first party apparatus converting said stored data into audible speech which can be heard by said first party.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein said conversion of said stored data into audible speech occurs in response to a manual selection by the first party.

24. A method according to claim 22 wherein said converting said stored data into audible speech is caused to occur automatically for the first party by said first party apparatus.

25. A method according to claim 22 wherein both said first party and said second party may hear said audible speech representative of said stored identifying information.

28. The method as in claim 22 wherein said first party apparatus includes:

(a) a database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields;

(b) a comparator for comparing said identifying information received with at least one of said plurality of associated data fields; and

(c) a sound output for announcing audible speech representative of at least one of (1) said received identifying information, and (2) information obtained from said plurality of data fields.

31. The method as in claim 28 wherein said database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields includes pre-stored sound data.

34. The method as in claim 28 wherein said database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields includes textual data that is converted to audible speech using a text to speech processor contained within said first party apparatus.

37. A method as in claim 22 wherein said apparatus initiates a timer for starting a predetermined time period when the generation of said acknowledgment signal occurs, and then initiates a mute condition in said handset in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

42. A method as in claim 22 wherein said acknowledgment signal is transmitted only if extension apparatus associated with the first party apparatus is on-hook.

26. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office an acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party;

(d) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the presence of said data transmission by muting its'"'"' own handset;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to know the identity of the third party;

(f) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation;

(g) wherein said first party apparatus converts said stored data into audible speech which can be heard by said first party.

29. The method as in claim 26 wherein said first party apparatus includes:

(a) a database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields;

(b) a comparator for comparing said identifying information received with at least one of said plurality of associated data fields; and

(c) a sound output for announcing audible speech representative of at least one of (1) said received identifying information, and (2) information obtained from said plurality of data fields.

32. The method as in claim 29 wherein said database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields includes pre-stored sound data.

35. The method as in claim 29 wherein said database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields includes textual data that is converted to audible speech using a text to speech processor contained within said first party apparatus.

27. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office a specific acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready and authorized to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the first party apparatus then muting its'"'"' own handset in response to generation of the acknowledgment signal;

(d) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party in response to receiving said acknowledgment signal from said apparatus;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to know the identity of the third party; and

(f) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation;

(g) wherein said first party apparatus converts said stored data into audible speech which can be heard by said first party.

30. The method as in claim 27 wherein said first party apparatus includes:

(a) a database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields;

(b) a comparator for comparing said identifying information received with at least one of said plurality of associated data fields; and

(c) a sound output for announcing audible speech representative of at least one of (1) said received identifying information, and (2) information obtained from said plurality of data fields.

33. The method as in claim 30 wherein said database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields includes pre-stored sound data.

36. The method as in claim 30 wherein said database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields includes textual data that is converted to audible speech using a text to speech processor contained within said first party apparatus.

38. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office an acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party;

(d) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the presence of said data transmission by muting its'"'"' own handset;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to ow he identity of the third party; and

(f) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation;

(g) wherein said apparatus initiates a timer for starting a predetermined time period when the generation of said acknowledgment signal occurs, and then a mute condition is initiated in said handset in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

39. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office a specific acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready and authorized to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the first party apparatus then muting its'"'"' own handset in response to generation of the acknowledgment signal;

(d) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party in response to receiving said acknowledgment signal from said apparatus;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to know the identity of the third party; and

(f) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation;

(g) wherein said apparatus initiates a timer for starting a predetermined time period when the generation of said acknowledgment signal occurs, and then a mute condition is initiated in said handset in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

40. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office an acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party;

(d) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the presence of said data transmission by muting its'"'"' own handset;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to know the identity of the third party; and

(f) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation;

(g) wherein said acknowledgment signal is transmitted only if any extension apparatus associated with the first party apparatus is on-hook.

61. A method as in claim 40 wherein said termination of said muting of said handset occurs before said first party apparatus displays said identifying information.

62. A method as in claim 40 wherein said first party apparatus initiates a timer for starting a predetermined time period that is related to at least one of the generation of said acknowledgment signal or the occurrence of the mute condition, and said termination of the muting of the handset occurs in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

63. A method as defined in claim 40 wherein said first party apparatus further responds by terminating said muting of said handset in response to receipt of at least one particular end of data signal present in said data transmitted from said switching office.

64. A method as defined in claim 40 wherein said first party apparatus responds to the presence of data being transmitted from said switching office to said first party apparatus by muting its'"'"' own handset utilizing a carrier detection circuit.

65. A method as defined in claim 40 wherein said first party apparatus generates a message received signal back to the local switching office, after it has received said identifying data, so that the local switching office can know that the first party apparatus successfully received all of the data transmitted.

66. A method as in claim 65 wherein said local switching office can terminate the mute condition of said second party responsive to said message received signal from said first party apparatus so as to minimize the time that a second party is muted.

67. A method as defined in claim 40 wherein said first party apparatus further includes a timer for starting a predetermined period of time that is related to the detection of said data transmitted from said local switching office, and said termination of the muting of the handset of said first party apparatus occurs in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

68. The method as in claim 40 wherein said first party apparatus includes:

(a) a database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields;

(b) a comparator for comparing said identifying information received with at least one of said plurality of associated data fields; and

(c) a display member for displaying at least one of (1) said received identifying information, and (2) information obtained from said plurality of data fields.

41. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of:

(a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party;

(b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office a specific acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready and authorized to receive calling party identifying information;

(c) the first party apparatus then muting its'"'"' own handset in response to generation of the acknowledgment signal;

(d) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party in response to receiving said acknowledgment signal from said apparatus;

(e) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to know the identity of the third party; and

(f) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its'"'"' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation;

(g) wherein said acknowledgment signal is transmitted only if any extension apparatus associated with the first party apparatus is on-hook.

69. A method as in claim 41 wherein said termination of said muting of said handset occurs before said first party apparatus displays said identifying information.

70. A method as in claim 41 wherein said first party apparatus mutes its'"'"' own handset simultaneously and concurrently with said generation of said acknowledgment signal.

71. A method as in claim 41 wherein said first party apparatus initiates a timer for starting a predetermined time period that is related to at least one of the generation of said acknowledgment signal or the occurrence of the mute condition, and said termination of the muting of the handset occurs in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

72. A method as defined in claim 41 wherein said first party apparatus further responds by terminating said muting of said handset in response to receipt of at least one particular end of data signal present in said data transmitted from said switching office.

73. A method as defined in claim 41 wherein said first party apparatus responds to the presence of data being transmitted from said switching office to said first party apparatus by muting its'"'"' own handset utilizing a carrier detection circuit.

74. A method as defined in claim 41 wherein said first party apparatus generates a message received signal back to the local switching office, after it has received said identifying data, so that the local switching office can know that the first party apparatus successfully received all of the data transmitted.

75. A method as in claim 74 wherein said local switching office can terminate the mute condition of said second party responsive to said message received signal from said first party apparatus so as to minimize the time that a second party is muted.

76. A method as defined in claim 41 wherein said first party apparatus further includes a timer for starting a predetermined period of time that is related to the detection of said data transmitted from said local switching office, and said termination of the muting of the handset of said first party apparatus occurs in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

77. A method as defined in claim 41 wherein said first party apparatus further includes a timer for starting a predetermined period of time that is related to the detection of said data transmitted from said local switching office, and said termination of the muting of the handset of said first party apparatus occurs in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

78. The method as in claim 41 wherein said first party apparatus includes:

(a) a database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields;

(b) a comparator for comparing said identifying information received with at least one of said plurality of associated data fields; and

(c) a display member for displaying at least one of (1) said received identifying information, and (2) information obtained from said plurality of data fields.

43. A telephone apparatus for receiving third party caller identification information while a first party is in communication with a second party via a local switching office, which is adapted to minimize the time a mute condition must occur, comprising:

(a) a call waiting detector for detecting a call waiting signal in the presence of communication signals on the telephone line between a first and a second party;

(b) control circuit responsive to the detection of said call waiting signal for generating an acknowledgment signal on the telephone line to indicate to the local switching office that said telephone apparatus is authorized and ready to receive data corresponding to said third party caller identification information;

(c) a data detector for detecting the presence of data transmitted from the local switching office, which includes said third party caller identification data, after said call waiting and acknowledgement signals have been exchanged between the local switching office and the telephone apparatus;

(d) a mute initiator for initiating a mute condition of the handset of the telephone apparatus in response to the detection of the presence of data transmitted from the local switching office;

(e) a display member for receiving, displaying and storing identification data related to a third party;

(f) an end detector for detecting the end of said data transmitted from the local switching office;

(g) a termination member for terminating said mute condition in response to the detection of the end of said data transmitted from the local switching office after said identification data has been received.

44. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 wherein said said display member operates for displaying identification data occurs only after said termination of said mute condition.

45. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 wherein said mute initiator initiates a mute condition simultaneously and concurrently with said generation of said acknowledgment signal.

46. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 which further includes a timer for measuring a predetermined period of time that is related to the generation of said acknowledgment signal or initiation of said mute condition, and wherein said termination member operates for terminating said mute condition in response to the expiration of said predetermined period of time.

47. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 wherein said mute initiator initiates a mute condition after said generation of said acknowledgment signal.

48. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 including a carrier detection circuit.

49. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 including an FSK demodulator.

50. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 that further includes a timer for measuring a predetermined period of time that is related to the receipt of said call waiting signal or generation of said acknowledgment signal, and a member for determining when said identifying data is not received within said predetermined period of time so that said mute condition in the first party apparatus is terminated.

51. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 wherein said control circuit is comprised of a digital signal processor.

52. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 wherein said control circuit is comprised of a microprocessor.

53. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 further comprising a detector for determining if an extension telephone set is in an off-hook condition, and inhibiting or preventing the generation of an acknowledgment signal back to the local switching office.

54. A telephone apparatus as in claim 53 further comprising a generator for generating an un-mute signal back to the local switching office instead of an acknowledgment signal in response to detecting an off-hook condition of an extension telephone set.

55. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 further comprising a generator for generating an end of message signal back to said local switching office to indicate that a message was received that can be used by the local switching office to terminate a mute condition for a second party.

56. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 further comprising a text to speech processor for converting said identification data received and stored into audible speech signals.

57. A telephone apparatus as in claim 56 further comprising a a manual initiator for manually initiating said text to speech processor to convert said identification data received into audible speech signals.

58. A telephone apparatus as in claim 56 further comprising an automatic converter for converting said identification data received into audible speech signals before re-establishing communication between said first and second party.

59. A telephone apparatus as in claim 56 further comprising an automatic converter for converting said identification data received into audible speech signals after re-establishing communication between said first and second party.

60. A telephone apparatus as in claim 43 including:

(a) a database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields;

(b) a comparator for comparing said identifying information received with at least one of said plurality of associated data fields; and

(c) a display member for displaying at least one of (1) said received identifying information, and (2) information obtained from said plurality of data fields.