Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for blocking unwanted telephone calls utilizing a ring blocking device that works in conjunction with an external remote call blocking service. The call blocking service blocks unwanted calls by examining the caller ID information that is normally transmitted to a wireline telephone device during the silent interval between the first and second power ringing bursts of the call. The call blocking service compares the caller ID information to a blacklist of unwanted calling parties and ends the call if the incoming call's caller ID information matches an entry on the blacklist. The ring blocking device, which is typically located on the user premises, is configured to prevent the first power ringing burst from activating the telephone ringer, while also ensuring that the telephone reliably receives and displays the caller ID.

Abstract: Systems and methods of improving the operation of an internet-of-things device signal simulation system are disclosed. Implementing a reliable actor model, a multitude of devices and/or sensors of an internet-of-things system may be simulated and may generate realistic data streams for delivery to an internet-of-things system and/or for analysis to confirm proper system functioning prior to final implementation. The efficiency and resiliency of the internet-of-things device and system may be enhanced and the test data may be improved, so that the final implementation more properly functions according to approved parameters, as well as the bandwidth and processor load associated with the simulation ameliorated. Moreover, the simulation system may source data to a real hardware system and vice versa.