US5995603A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone call screening device
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1997-05-23
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Granted: 1999-11-30
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Expires: 2017-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A device is provided for screening incoming telephone calls. A list of authorized callers' telephone numbers is maintained in the device. Incoming telephone calls are detected and caller identification information (i.e., the originating telephone number of the call) is extracted. The caller identification information is compared with the authorized caller list. If the caller identification information for the incoming call is in the list, the telephone is allowed to ring normally. If the caller identification information for the incoming call is not in the list the telephone is prevented from ringing normally. The telephone can be prevented from ringing normally by answering the unauthorized call, by generating a distinctive ring for the call, or by redirecting the call to a separate telephone or to an answering machine.
Inventors
- 👤 W. Thomas Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/663; H04M1/57
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for screening incoming telephone calls on a telephone line based on an authorized caller list, comprising: means for extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call on the telephone line; means for comparing the caller identification information with the authorized caller list; means for allowing the incoming telephone call to ring normally when the caller identification information is contained in the authorized caller list; and means for allowing an alternative ringing when caller identification information is not contained in the authorized caller list.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for screening incoming telephone calls on a telephone line based on an authorized caller list, comprising: means for extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call on the telephone line; means for comparing the caller identification information with the authorized caller list; means for allowing the incoming telephone call to ring normally when the caller identification information is contained in the authorized caller list; and means for allowing an alternative ringing when caller identification information is not contained in the authorized caller list.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein the means for having an alternative ringing further comprises means for answering the incoming telephone call.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein the means for having an alternative ringing further comprises means for generating a distinctive ring for the incoming telephone call.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein the means for having an alternative ringing further comprises means for redirecting the incoming telephone call.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device defined in claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining the authorized caller list.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device defined in claim 5 wherein the means for maintaining the authorized caller list comprises means for adding the caller identification information of a currently received telephone call to the list.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device defined in claim 5 wherein the means for maintaining the authorized caller list comprises means for manually adding a telephone number to the list.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device defined in claim 5 further comprising means for deleting the caller identification information of a currently received telephone call from the list.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device defined in claim 5 wherein the means for maintaining the authorized caller list comprises means for manually deleting a telephone number from the list.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device defined in claim 5 wherein the means for maintaining the authorized caller list comprises means for maintaining a list of authorized telephone numbers.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for screening incoming telephone calls on a telephone line based on an authorized caller list, comprising the steps of: extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call on the telephone line; comparing the caller identification information with the authorized caller list; allowing the incoming telephone call to ring normally when the caller identification information is contained in the authorized caller list; and allowing the incoming telephone call to have alternative ringing when the caller identification information is not contained in the authorized caller list.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for screening incoming telephone calls on a telephone line based on an authorized caller list, comprising the steps of: extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call on the telephone line; comparing the caller identification information with the authorized caller list; allowing the incoming telephone call to ring normally when the caller identification information is contained in the authorized caller list; and allowing the incoming telephone call to have alternative ringing when the caller identification information is not contained in the authorized caller list.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 11 wherein the step of allowing alternatives ringing further comprises the step of answering the incoming telephone call with answering machine circuitry.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 11 wherein the step of allowing alternative ringing further comprises the step of generating a distinctive ring for the incoming telephone call.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method defined in claim 11 wherein the step of allowing alternative ringing further comprises the step of redirecting the incoming telephone call.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method defined in claim 11 further comprising the step of maintaining the authorized caller list.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method defined in claim 15 wherein the step of maintaining the authorized caller list comprises the step of adding the caller identification information of a currently received telephone call to the list.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method defined in claim 15 wherein the step of maintaining the authorized caller list comprises the step manually adding a telephone number to the list.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method defined in claim 15 wherein the step of maintaining the authorized caller list comprises the step of deleting the caller identification information of a currently received telephone call from the list.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 15 wherein the step of maintaining the authorized caller list comprises the step of manually deleting a telephone number from the list.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method defined in claim 15 wherein the step of maintaining the authorized caller list comprises the step of maintaining a list of authorized telephone numbers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-05-31 | 2003-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-29 | 2007-05-31 | 2007-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-29 | 2011-05-31 | 2011-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |