Calling party announcement message management systems and methods
First Claim
1. A caller identification method, comprising:
- detecting an incoming telephone call;
decoding a caller identification signal to provide an incoming telephone number responsive to detecting the incoming telephone call;
comparing the incoming telephone number with a stored telephone number in a data structure stored in a digital memory, wherein said data structure further includes a preference indicator and a memory address;
if the incoming telephone number matches a stored telephone number, checking said preference indicator to determine whether to ignore said incoming telephone call or to play an outgoing message stored in a multilevel analog storage array at said memory address; and
if the preference indicator indicates to play said outgoing message, performing one or more functions associated with the stored telephone number including playing said outgoing message that is stored in said multilevel analog storage array at said memory address.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A calling party announcement apparatus and method for providing the identity of the caller in a non-synthesized, pre-recorded human speech. The invention detects and decodes the Incoming Caller Line Identification (ICLID) signal between ring signals before the called party answers the phone and announces the calling party'"'"'s name and/or phone number. The called party answers the telephone or rejects the call before the receiver goes off-hook. Additionally, if the called party elects to accept the call, the call is answered, an individualized pre-recorded message is played back, or any other preferences selected with respect to the ICLID information is performed. An important aspect of the invention is the ability to play and record announcements and messages without the use of expensive and power-consuming digital signal processors. The invention provides for recording and locating pre-recorded announcements and predetermined preferences for call acceptance using the decoded ICLID information.
158 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A caller identification method, comprising:
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detecting an incoming telephone call;
decoding a caller identification signal to provide an incoming telephone number responsive to detecting the incoming telephone call;
comparing the incoming telephone number with a stored telephone number in a data structure stored in a digital memory, wherein said data structure further includes a preference indicator and a memory address;
if the incoming telephone number matches a stored telephone number, checking said preference indicator to determine whether to ignore said incoming telephone call or to play an outgoing message stored in a multilevel analog storage array at said memory address; and
if the preference indicator indicates to play said outgoing message, performing one or more functions associated with the stored telephone number including playing said outgoing message that is stored in said multilevel analog storage array at said memory address. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A telephone control system, comprising:
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a caller identification decoder for coupling to a telephone line;
a recording/playback device including a multilevel analog storage array;
a non-volatile memory including a data structure having a stored telephone number a preference indicator, and a memory address; and
a microcontroller coupled to the non-volatile memory, the caller identification decoder, and the device, the microcontroller to receive an incoming telephone number in response to the caller identification decoder detecting a caller identification signal, to compare the incoming telephone number with said stored telephone number to check said preference indicator to determine whether to ignore said incoming telephone call or to play an outgoing message stored in a multilevel analog storage array at said memory address, and to perform one or more functions associated with the preference field including playing said outgoing message that is stored in said multilevel analog storage array at said memory address if said preference indicator indicates to play said outgoing message. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An article of manufacture, comprising:
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a computer usable medium having computer readable program code contained therein for causing a processor to detect an incoming telephone call;
computer readable program code for causing the processor to decode a caller identification signal and provide an incoming telephone number responsive to detecting the incoming telephone call;
computer readable program code for causing the processor to compare the incoming telephone number with a stored telephone number in a data structure including a memory address and a preference indicator indicating whether to ignore said incoming telephone call or to play an outgoing message stored in a multilevel analog storage array at said memory address; and
computer readable program code for causing the processor to perform one or more functions including playing said outgoing message stored in said multilevel analog storage array at said memory address if said preference indicator indicates to play said outgoing message. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification