Telephone call screening unit
First Claim
1. A call screening unit for screening incoming telephone calls directed to a specific telephone number;
- the call screening unit preventing a user'"'"'s telephone from ringing unless the incoming call has a valid caller ID signal comprising numeric information or the caller making the incoming call enters a valid override code;
the call screening unit including;
a memory device for storing override codes;
a discriminator which if the incoming call has a valid caller ID signal, the discriminator passing any call through to ring the user'"'"'s telephone without further action by a caller if it is determined that the call has a valid caller ID signal;
an answering device for playing a pre-recorded message which prompts the caller to enter an override code or leave a message if and only if the discriminator determines that the call does not have a valid caller ID signal; and
a comparator which compares a caller entered override code with the override codes stored in the memory device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A call screening unit of the present invention is interposed between the telephone itself and the wall jack. When an incoming call is received, the call screening unit initially grabs the signal without allowing the signal to pass through to the phone. The call screening unit determines if the incoming call has a valid carrier signal. If the call has a valid carrier signal, the call is allowed to pass through, and the phone rings. If the call has an invalid carrier signal, the caller is prompted to enter an override code. The override code entered is compared with stored override codes. If a valid override code is entered, then the call is allowed through, and the phone rings. If a valid override code is not entered, the call is terminated, and the phone never rings. The call screening unit includes a fax switch which can be set to be “on” or “off”. If the fax switch is set to “on”, the call screening unit will also determine if the signal is a fax/computer signal, and will allow fax calls to pass through. Thus, the user'"'"'s phone will only ring if the incoming call has a valid carrier signal, if a proper override code was entered by the caller, of if the call has a fax/computer signal and the fax switch is set to “on.” The call screening unit also allows for a user to display, delete, print, and change override codes. To do so, a personal identification code must be entered. If a valid personal identification code is not entered after a predetermined number of tries, the call screening unit will sound an alarm.
94 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A call screening unit for screening incoming telephone calls directed to a specific telephone number;
- the call screening unit preventing a user'"'"'s telephone from ringing unless the incoming call has a valid caller ID signal comprising numeric information or the caller making the incoming call enters a valid override code;
the call screening unit including;a memory device for storing override codes;
a discriminator which if the incoming call has a valid caller ID signal, the discriminator passing any call through to ring the user'"'"'s telephone without further action by a caller if it is determined that the call has a valid caller ID signal;
an answering device for playing a pre-recorded message which prompts the caller to enter an override code or leave a message if and only if the discriminator determines that the call does not have a valid caller ID signal; and
a comparator which compares a caller entered override code with the override codes stored in the memory device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20)
- the call screening unit preventing a user'"'"'s telephone from ringing unless the incoming call has a valid caller ID signal comprising numeric information or the caller making the incoming call enters a valid override code;
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14. A method of screening incoming phone calls comprising:
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determining if the incoming call has a valid caller ID signal comprising numeric information;
allowing any call through without further action by a caller if the call has a valid caller ID signal;
prompting the caller to enter an override code or leave a message if and only if the call does not have a valid caller ID signal;
comparing the entered override code with at least one stored override code; and
allowing the call through if the entered override code matches the stored override code. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeJohn T. Miller Jr
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Original AssigneeJohn T. Miller Jr
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InventorsMiller, John T. Jr.
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Primary Examiner(s)Chan, Wing F.
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Application NumberUS09/309,942Time in Patent Office1,204 DaysField of Search379/102.01, 379/102.02, 379/100.15, 379/100.16, 379/199, 379/188, 379/201.01, 379/93.17, 379/93-2-, 379/93.09, 379/93.11, 379/142.01, 379/142.02, 379/142.05US Class Current379/93.09CPC Class CodesH04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised cal...H04M 1/665 by checking the validity of...
