System and methods for disclosing call destination characteristic
First Claim
1. A system for use by a caller placing a call with a calling device over a communications network linking a plurality of call destinations, the system comprising:
- a call-destination information source containing at least one call-destination characteristic associated with at least one of the call destinations, wherein the call-destination information source includes data provided by a third party;
a processing unit communicatively linked to the call-destination information source, the processing unit configured for;
prior to establishing the call between the caller and the at least one of the call destinations by attempting to connect the calling device with the at least one of call destinations, generating at least one call-destination characteristic indicator based on the at least one call-destination characteristic in response to a received call-destination identifier identifying the at least one call destination, providing the call-destination characteristic indicator to the caller based upon a predetermined criterion, prompting the caller with an opportunity to delay the establishing of the call, and allowing the establishing of the call to proceed automatically unless the caller delays the establishing of the call, wherein the call-destination characteristic indicator comprises a non-speech audible indicator indicative of the at least one call-destination characteristic and wherein the at least one call-destination characteristic is based on a reputation of an entity associated with the at least one call destination.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for use by a caller placing a call with a calling device over a communications network linking a plurality of call destinations. The system includes a call-destination information source containing one or more call-destination characteristics associated one or more call destinations. The system further includes a processing unit communicatively linked to the call-destination information source. The processing unit generates one or more call-destination character indicators based on the one or more call-destination characteristics. A call-destination character indicator is generated in response to the system receiving call-destination identifier that identifies a particular call destination.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for use by a caller placing a call with a calling device over a communications network linking a plurality of call destinations, the system comprising:
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a call-destination information source containing at least one call-destination characteristic associated with at least one of the call destinations, wherein the call-destination information source includes data provided by a third party; a processing unit communicatively linked to the call-destination information source, the processing unit configured for; prior to establishing the call between the caller and the at least one of the call destinations by attempting to connect the calling device with the at least one of call destinations, generating at least one call-destination characteristic indicator based on the at least one call-destination characteristic in response to a received call-destination identifier identifying the at least one call destination, providing the call-destination characteristic indicator to the caller based upon a predetermined criterion, prompting the caller with an opportunity to delay the establishing of the call, and allowing the establishing of the call to proceed automatically unless the caller delays the establishing of the call, wherein the call-destination characteristic indicator comprises a non-speech audible indicator indicative of the at least one call-destination characteristic and wherein the at least one call-destination characteristic is based on a reputation of an entity associated with the at least one call destination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of providing call-destination information to a caller placing a call with a calling device over a communications network, the method comprising:
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receiving a call-destination identifier identifying a call destination; determining at least one call-destination characteristic associated with the call destination responsive to a call-destination information source including data provided by a third party; prior to establishing the call between the caller and the call destination by attempting to connect the calling device with the call destination, generating a call-destination characteristic indicator based on the at least one call-destination characteristic, providing the call-destination characteristic indicator to the caller based upon a predetermined criterion, prompting the caller with an opportunity for the caller to delay the establishing of the call, and allowing the establishing of the call to proceed automatically unless the caller delays the establishing of the call, wherein the call-destination characteristic indicator comprises a non-speech audible indicator indicative of the at least one call-destination characteristic and wherein the at least one call-destination characteristic is based on at least one of a reputation of an entity associated with the at least one call destination, calling patterns with respect to the call destination, and a type of calling device used to handle calls placed from and received at the call destination. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification