Visual caller identification

• US 7,085,358 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2001
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ruckart, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Escalante, Ovidio
• Application Number:
  US09/888,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20020196913A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,863 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.2, 379/88.19, 379/88.21, 37914201-14206, 379/88.11, 379/207.15, 379/372, 379/373.01, 379/376.01
• US Class Current: 379/88.19
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42391 where the subscribers are hearing-impaired persons, e.g. telephone devices for the deaf

Abstract

A visual caller identification system and method are provided. A caller identification device of a called party'"'"'s telephone, whether integrated with the telephone or stand-alone, includes a series of colored lights for visually alerting the called party to an incoming call. The called party may program the caller identification device so that a first colored light flashes any time the caller ID identifies information known to the called party. A second light flashes any time caller identification information is provided, but where the information is unknown to the called party. And, a third colored light flashes any time the caller identification is not provided (e.g., private, unlisted, etc.). When the telephone begins to ring, the called party may look at the telephone for a quick screening without having to go to the telephone to read the caller ID. If the first light flashes, the called party knows that the incoming call is from a known party. If the second light flashes, the called party knows that the calling party will be identified if the called party goes to the telephone to read the caller ID. And, if the third light flashes, the called party knows that no caller identification information is available for the incoming call. Alternatively, caller identification information to be displayed on the called party'"'"'s caller ID device may be projected onto a projection surface, such as a wall in the called party'"'"'s home or office.

Claims

1. A method of providing visual caller identification, comprising:

saving a plurality of directory numbers;

saving visual projection information for each of the plurality of directory numbers;

receiving a call from a calling party at a caller identification device, wherein the call is associated with a directory number;

querying a database for caller identification information associated with the call, wherein the caller identification information includes the directory number associated with the call and a name associated with the calling party;

sending the caller identification information to a caller identification device;

comparing the directory number associated with the call with the plurality of directory numbers;

if one of the plurality of directory numbers matches the directory number associated with the call, projecting the saved projection information associated with the directory number onto a projection surface in place of the caller identification information associated with the call; and

if one of the plurality of directory numbers does not match the directory number associated with the call, projecting caller identification information associated with the call onto a projection surface.