Computer-based multifunctional personal communication system with caller ID

• US 7,542,555 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2006
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Multi-Tech Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Multi-Tech Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Sun, Ting, Davis, Jeffrey P., Caswell, Ty J., Reinarts, Timothy J., Johnson, Gregory R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah; Melur
• Application Number:
  US11/339,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20060153176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.02, 379/93.05, 379/93.06, 379/90.09, 37914202-14215, 379/93.17, 379/93.23, 379/93.18, 370/270, 370/204, 370/280, 370/281, 370/295, 370/296, 375/345, 375/222, 375/265
• US Class Current: 379/93.02
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/04 using predictive techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6424 Access arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6427 Subscriber Access Module; Concentrator; Group equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6459 Multiplexing, e.g. TDMA, CDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6475 N-ISDN, Public Switched Telephone Network [PSTN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6481 Speech, voice
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6491 Echo cancellation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6494 Silence suppression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/3416 in which the information is carried by both the individual signal points and the subset to which the individual points belong, e.g. using coset coding, lattice coding, or related schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/04 Protocols for data compression, e.g. ROHC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2478 Telephone terminals specially adapted for non-voice services, e.g. email, internet access centralized arrangements where telephones services are combined H04M7/0024; for recording text messages H04M3/5322; for accessing Internet H04M3/4938
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/253 Telephone sets using digital voice transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/068 using time division multiplex techniques; integrated services digital networks H04Q11/0428
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4509 : Unified messaging with single point of access to voicemail and other mail or messaging systems unified messaging in packet switching networks H04L51/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/002 : Applications of echo suppressors or cancellers in telephonic connections in two-way loud-speaking telephone systems H04M9/08, echo suppressors or cancellers per se H04B3/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 : Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 : for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 : Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0033 : Notification or handling of incoming calls by a computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0036 : where the data service is an information service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 : Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1295 : Details of dual tone multiple frequency signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 : with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00206 : Transmitting or receiving computer data via an image communication device, e.g. a facsimile transceiver H04N1/00236 takes precedence

Abstract

An interface for personal communications systems is described which provides rapid identification of a caller and limited access based on a variety of parameters obtained from caller identification information encoded by the telephone company. The incoming telephone call information is compared to a preprogrammed access matrix to determine if the caller is authorized to access the personal communications system connected to the interface. A telephone call screening method and apparatus which incorporates the encoded caller identification is also described.

Claims

1. A communication method comprising:

providing a graphical user interface program executable on a personal computer with a modem, the modem operable for connection to a telephone line;

providing a telephone line caller identification interface for use in determining whether a caller is permitted to have access to the modem, wherein providing the caller identification interface comprises;

programming a memory device with access parameters;

detecting a telephone call on the telephone line connected to the modem;

receiving caller identification information without answering the telephone call;

decoding the caller identification information; and

comparing the caller identification information with the access parameters to determine whether the access is authorized or unauthorized;

if access is authorized, allowing the modem to receive incoming packets using the modem communicated from at least one packet switched network, the incoming packets comprising at least compressed incoming digital voice information, wherein each of the incoming packets comprises at least one header, wherein the at least one header comprises information used to route the incoming packets within the communication apparatus, wherein allowing the modem to receive incoming packets further comprises;

decompressing the compressed incoming digital voice information into incoming digital voice information;

converting the incoming digital voice information to produce voice signals for conveyance to a local user; and

conveying the voice signals to the local user;

if access is unauthorized, placing the telephone line connected to the modem off hook and hanging up so as to prevent access to the modem.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of programming further comprises the step of programming a list of names of authorized caller names.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of programming further comprises the step of programming a list of authorized caller telephone numbers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of programming further comprises the step of programming a list of authorized times of day to call.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of programming further comprises the step of programming a list of authorized days to call.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of programming further comprise the step of programming a list of authorized caller names, days and times of day to call.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of programming further comprises the step of programming a list of authorized caller telephone numbers, days and times of day to call.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of programming further comprises the step of programming a list of unauthorized caller names.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of programming further comprises the step of programming a list of unauthorized caller numbers.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the incoming packets comprise incoming voice packets comprising compressed incoming digital voice information and incoming data packets comprising incoming digital data information, wherein each of the incoming voice packets comprises at least one header and wherein each of the incoming data packets comprises at least one header, and further wherein the headers of the incoming voice packets and the incoming data packets comprise information used to route the incoming packets.