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Telephone system, apparatus, and method for providing enhanced privacy features

a telephone system and privacy feature technology, applied in the field of telephone privacy management, can solve the problems of unfavorable consumers' unsubscribers, unproven effective limitation of the number of unwanted phone calls received by consumers, and limited call blocking features of telephone service providers, so as to achieve enhanced privacy

Inactive Publication Date: 2015-01-22
GUARRIELLO THEODORE J
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about a telephone system that allows users to have privacy control over incoming calls. The system uses a computer-implemented feature that identifies the caller based on their name or number, and sends this information to the user. The user can then decide how to handle the call based on their privacy preferences. This feature allows for customized and careful handling of calls based on the caller's ID.

Problems solved by technology

Unsolicited phone calls are an increasing problem for consumers.
The National Do Not Call Registry was established with an intention of giving U.S. consumers an opportunity to limit the telemarketing calls they receive, but has in general not proven effective in limiting the number of unwanted phone calls received by consumers.
Currently, some telephone service providers offer very limited call blocking features that allow for blocking selected callers based on Caller ID.
Additionally, the traditional “blacklist” can anger callers with malicious intent, placing stalked victims in greater danger.

Method used

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  • Telephone system, apparatus, and method for providing enhanced privacy features
  • Telephone system, apparatus, and method for providing enhanced privacy features
  • Telephone system, apparatus, and method for providing enhanced privacy features

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0027]An embodiment of a telephone system for enhanced privacy management describes a computer-implemented system that can allow a user to implement granular privacy controls on incoming phone calls.

[0028]Throughout this disclosure the term ‘class’ or ‘calling class’, also referred to as a ‘list’ or ‘calling list’, shall be understood to represent a group of related caller identities that each has a common set of call handling rules. Classes can be implied, such as for examples the class of calls with toll-free originating North-American telephone numbers, or explicit such as for example a list of black-listed numbers or a list of white-listed numbers.

[0029]Throughout this disclosure the term ‘rule’ or ‘calling rule’ shall be understood to represent a predetermined call routing process that is applied to the call once it's class has been established. A calling rule can be a user or service provider selectable call handling process.

[0030]In the following we describe the structure of ...

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PUM

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Abstract

A telephone system for enhanced privacy management includes a telephone switch, a rejected call handler, a user preference database, and an internet app privacy manager, whereby an incoming call can be assigned to a calling class, and routed according to a calling rule associated with the calling class. Using an interactive voice response menu or an application portal, the user can assign callers to calling classes and specify call handling rules and schedules. A rejected call handler includes a voice interface, a switch control, a voicemail, interactive voice response, call progress simulator, in-message options, in-call options, post-call options, and other components. Further disclosed is a method for determining a calling rule, including determining the caller id status, querying a calling rules table, and determining a calling rule.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not applicable.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications and more specifically to privacy management for telephone calls.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Unsolicited phone calls are an increasing problem for consumers. The National Do Not Call Registry was established with an intention of giving U.S. consumers an opportunity to limit the telemarketing calls they receive, but has in general not proven effective in limiting the number of unwanted phone calls received by consumers.[0004]Currently, some telephone service providers offer very limited call blocking features that allow for blocking selected callers based on Caller ID. Lately, telemarketing callers are circumventing these filters using techniques such as Caller-ID spoofing and number rotation. Caller-ID spoofing is used for scamming purposes, for example to take advantage of elderly victims, or to have victims believe t...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H04M3/38H04M3/42
CPCH04M3/42365H04M3/38H04M3/436H04M3/42161
Inventor GUARRIELLO, THEODORE, J.
Owner GUARRIELLO THEODORE J
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