Abstract: A system of providing anonymous calling, the system comprising: a computer based system accepts a call request from the first user, having a first user ID and a first user plan, containing the second user ID, associated with a second user and destination phone number, and determines the registration status of the second user and the destination phone number; if the destination phone number is registered, system determines whether call is a domestic or international and first user's plan. If a free plan, an advertisement is played to the initiating user prior to placing phone call and if a paid plan the advertisement is not played and the first user is called/billed; the system initiates a call between the first phone number and the destination phone number, thus providing an anonymous phone connection between the first user and the destination phone number.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing restrictions on long distance calls from wireless communication devices which operate in a wireless communication network are described. The wireless devices are preferably combined voice and data communication devices. In one illustrative example, each wireless device receives and stores long distance call restriction information which is pushed from a private computer network through the wireless network. During typical operation, a wireless device determines whether call attempts from the wireless device are restricted by the long distance call restriction information. If a call attempt is restricted by the long distance call restriction information, the wireless device restricts the call attempt from the wireless device and provides for a call restriction alert indication (e.g. an alert tone or visual text). If a call attempt is not restricted by the long distance call restriction information, the wireless device allows the call attempt from the wireless device.

Abstract: A privacy management system is disclosed for when a calling party has a private telephone number. Privacy screening services allow a subscriber to manage and monitor incoming telephone calls, such that unwanted calls are not terminated to the subscriber. When a calling party calls the subscriber to this privacy screening service, the privacy management system manages the call according to whether the calling party number is known and public, known and private, or unknown. If the calling party number is known and public, the call is routed to the subscriber. If, however, the calling party is known and private, an announcement is played to the calling party, asking the calling party for permission to override his or her privacy. If the calling party is unknown, the calling party is asked to record his/her name.

Abstract: An enhanced services display message protocol (ESDMP) facilitates display of messages in a compliant analog telephony device (ATD). An exemplary gateway device in a voice over packet (VOP) network can activate enhanced services in a compliant ATD using the ESDMP and includes a controller and first and second interfaces. One of the interfaces can transmit and receive communications over a VOP network. The other interface can transmit and receive voice band message data modulated according to a frequency shift keying (FSK) protocol. The ESDMP can be used to configure the gateway to activate features supported by the ATD, to update call state information and to display feature state information.

Abstract: Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), a protocol used in VoIP (Voice over IP) communications, enables a caller to send a SIP message to a callee with his/her UserID concealed from the callee, which in turn, prevents A SIP server from making an attempt to manage the caller. If the same IP Telephone address is used whenever the IP call is made, a third party may guess the IP address easily during conversation. The SIP message sent by the caller is converted and conversion tables are managed by the SIP server. The IP Telephone modifies its IP address for each IP call. Thus, the caller can make a call to the callee with his/her UserID concealed from the callee using the SIP server with a message conversion function and communications carriers having SIP servers installed to manage the callers using their conversion tables. It is difficult to any malicious third party to guess the IP Telephone address, because the IP Telephone address is modified for each call.

Abstract: A dynamic telephone-call screening system detects indications of the character for incoming calls as a basis to determine acceptance. Calls that are identified and indicated to be undesirable, as from a facsimile machine, may be categorically screened on the basis of character. Calls identified to be from an undesired terminal also are recognized and screened. Indications of undesired character calls and undesired calling terminal are stored for reference testing. Upon receiving an undesired call, its character and source may be stored for future reference.

Abstract: A communication device for transmitting/acquiring a phone number via a link network and method thereof are provided. In an embodiment, two communication devices are linked together via a link network to directly transfer a phone number stored in a communication device to the other via the link network. Further, the communication device receiving the phone number, can make a comparison according to a decision table to determine whether it is a diallable phone number, thereby providing a dial function or an edit confirm option for the received the phone number. In this case, the decision table has multiple identification numbers and their corresponding number counts.

Abstract: A device is provided that may receive names and associated phone numbers in a contact list, and receive information to link the caller names in the contact list to an emergency contact. The device may also receive a call from a caller linked to the emergency contact and not display emergency related information. The device may also transfer the contact list to another device, wherein the emergency contact linking information remains in the transferred contact list.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively displaying an origination address of a mobile message, e.g., an SMS message, includes the steps of: (1) determining that a mobile message includes an origination address that should not be displayed on a recipient device; and (2) including data in the mobile message to cause the origination address not to be displayed on the recipient device. The origination address which is selectively prevented from being displayed is one which is not provided by the prime, i.e., true originating sender of the mobile message. A call-back number may be similarly selectively displayed. The system and method provide a way to address recipient confusion that may arise from the display of origination information that is meaningless or otherwise incomprehensible to message recipients.

Abstract: A caller ID based call routing feature is described for blocked and non-blocked caller ID's. A processing system in the public switched telephone network (PSTN) receives first identifying information for identify the source of a telephone call and associates additional information stored in a memory with the first identifying information. The additional information may be information about the calling party initially downloaded to the memory by a subscriber. Once retrieved from the memory by the processing system, the additional information may then be transmitted to the subscriber via the Internet for display on a monitor or to the subscriber's telephone for display on a telephone display. Another feature described is a branch calling feature where the subscriber may program a processing system within the PSTN to forward an incoming call to two or more end units (e.g., telephones) simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for operating a user communication device (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b), and a program and user communication device that operate in accordance with that method. An interface (2d, 2b, 23, 22) of the communication device (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) is operated to enter identifiers identifying respective calling sources (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) from which call signals may be received. The interface also is operated for entering into the device (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) electrical signals representing corresponding audible signals that are to be individually generated in response to calls being received from the respective calling sources (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b). The identifiers are stored in a memory (2c, 24) in association with respective ones of the electrical signals.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for caller identification messaging are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a calling party uses a Caller ID Messaging Device that supplants the incoming calling line identification (ICLID) signal with a Caller ID Messaging Signal and transmits the Caller ID Messaging Signal to a destination communications address. An alternate embodiment provides that the calling party may use a conventional telephone to access a communications network, activate Caller ID Messaging Services, compose or retrieve a stored Caller ID Message of the Caller ID Messaging Signal, and transmit the Caller ID Messaging Signal to the destination communications address. The Caller ID Message and Caller ID Messaging Signal may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data.

Abstract: A self powered caller identification device (CID) for a cellular telephone system (CTS) includes a receiver, a transmitter and a processor, all of which being adapted to provide access to the content of a data channel and to deny access to the voice services of a voice channel. The receiver is responsive to the data signal in the data channel and the processor is responsive to identify the CID to the CTS. The CID answers a call from the CTS in response to the call being a data signal and fails to answer the call in response to an attempted connection to the voice services of the voice channel. A display at the CID is responsive to the processor to display the content of the data signal thereby identifying the caller to the user of the CID.

Abstract: A display system for showing incoming call messages is introduced. The display system includes a monitor, a telephone plug coupled to a telephone signal source, and a microprocessor for controlling the display to show an incoming call message when an incoming call signal is received from the telephone signal source. The display enables users to notice incoming calls without disturbances of ring tones.

Abstract: The present invention provides a call-return process and system, wherein a called party can return a missed call to a caller's private number. A forwarded call is received by a call management system, wherein the forwarded call was originally directed by a caller to a first telephone line associated with a user. The call management system receives call signaling information, including a phone number, associated with the caller. The call management system then determines whether the phone number is a private phone number or a public phone number. If the phone number is private, the call management system notifies the user of the call, and without revealing the caller's phone number to the user, enables the user to return the caller's call.

Abstract: A caller ID device includes a switch and a control circuit in communication with the switch, wherein the control circuit includes a memory, the memory having a table of blocked calls, and wherein each of the blocked calls is identified as a blocked call in response to a user activating the switch.

Abstract: A work-at-home telecommunication service is provided in response to receiving, from a calling party, a service-specific vertical feature code and a dialed number to initiate a call. The call is suspended and a query is sent to a service control point after receiving the vertical feature code and the dialed number. The query includes the dialed number and a calling party identification number. A response to the query is formed using the service control point by translating the dialed number to a called party identification number, and by modifying the calling party identification number to an identification number of a group associated with the calling party. The response includes the called party identification number, the calling party identification number, and a carrier identification code which identifies a telecommunication carrier for the group associated with the calling party. The call is routed to the called party using the telecommunication carrier identified by the carrier identification code.

Abstract: A communications network-based system and service is disclosed. The service permits subscribers to control and manage incoming telephone calls. Subscribers can establish preferences for how calls will be handled by a communications network if the calls are received while the subscriber has a privacy screening service engaged. The service also notifies a subscriber of a calling party's call based on whether preselected or predesignated preferences of the called party correspond to identifier(s) of the calling party.

Abstract: A privacy management system is disclosed for when a calling party has a private telephone number. Privacy screening services allow a subscriber to manage and monitor incoming telephone calls, such that unwanted calls are not terminated to the subscriber. When a calling party calls the subscriber to this privacy screening service, the privacy management system manages the call according to whether the calling party number is known and public, known and private, or unknown. If the calling party number is known and public, the call is routed to the subscriber. If, however, the calling party is known and private, an announcement is played to the calling party, asking the calling party for permission to override his or her privacy. If the calling party is unknown, the calling party is asked to record his/her name.

Abstract: A call connection management equipment for decreasing the required time from a call connection request to a call connection establishment in a wireless mobile communication network. This call connection management equipment registers generated call connection information to a connection registration part, and stores call connection history, such as connection count. The call connection management equipment uses the already registered connection information when the call connection history satisfies a predetermined condition, and generates a new connection information when the call connection history does not satisfy the predetermined condition. When the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the connection information is deleted. The connection information is also deleted when a wireless base station to accommodate a calling terminal is switched, or when an interface to accommodate a called terminal is switched.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for screening and blocking certain telecommunications sent via a communication network by telemarketers or other message senders is disclosed. This service is provided to subscribing parties that initiate the telecommunications. A periodically updated “do-not-contact” database is incorporated in cooperation with network nodes to block screened messages from being delivered to an intended destination that is listed in the database. Screening and blocking can be accomplished on the customer premises or at a network node shared with non-subscribing parties. The network node ignores messages sent from non-subscribing parties. Various marking or screening techniques can be used to identify those telecommunication messages sent from or on behalf of subscribing message senders. Blocking is accomplished by various techniques including audio disconnect instructions routed back to a human agent, or actuating coded signals to automatically cancel delivery in accordance with the updated database.

Abstract: A work-at-home telecommunication service is provided in response to receiving, from a calling party, a service-specific vertical feature code and a dialed number to initiate a call. The call is suspended and a query is sent to a service control point after receiving the vertical feature code and the dialed number. The query includes the dialed number and a calling party identification number. A response to the query is formed using the service control point by translating the dialed number to a called party identification number, and by modifying the calling party identification number to an identification number of a group associated with the calling party. The response includes the called party identification number, the calling party identification number, and a carrier identification code which identifies a telecommunication carrier for the group associated with the calling party. The call is routed to the called party using the telecommunication carrier identified by the carrier identification code.

Abstract: Methods and systems for administering calls on a voice network allow a user to selectively determine which calls will be accepted. The methods and systems may provide unwanted callers with an option to speak with the user for a fee. The methods and systems may provide an initiator of the communication to accept the fee, to confirm acceptance of the fee and to provide payment information for the fee prior to completing the communication. If the initiator does not accept the fee, the communication can be terminated. The methods and systems may verify the payment information and display a verification notice to the user prior to completing the call. The fee to be paid and the method of payment, or payment information may be prescribed by the user.

Abstract: A system and method enables a caller to detect subscribers to a privacy screening service. The caller detection of privacy screening is initiated when a subscriber to the caller detection of privacy screening service places a telephone call to a called party. After the calling party enters the telephone number of the called party, the caller detection of privacy screening service places a query to an SCP. The SCP determines if the called party is a subscriber to privacy screening. If the called party is a subscriber to privacy screening, the call is not completed, and a message is sent from the SCP to the SSP indicating that this is a caller detection of privacy screening call. This information is forwarded from the SSP to a billing system for processing as a caller detection of privacy screening charge. If the called party is not a subscriber to privacy screening, the call is completed and normal charges accrue.

Abstract: A system and method for re-terminating a call on demand. This allows a subscriber to cause a previously answered incoming call to be re-terminated to the subscriber's telephone line. A method for using the present invention involves the following sequence. First, a caller dials a telephone number of a subscriber and the call is answered by an answering member. Second, the answering member presses one or more keys on the keypad of a customer premises equipment before hanging up. Third, the call is re-terminated to the same telephone number. When the call re-terminates, there are a number of different options for the subscriber to pick up the re-terminated call. In one option, the call can be allowed to ring through to a voice mailbox associated with an intended member. In another option, the call be allowed to ring long enough to activate an answering machine. In still another option, the call can be picked up by a fax machine.

Abstract: An advanced intelligent network (AIN) for providing the name and telephone number of a calling party to a called party comprising a plurality of central offices and a service control point (SCP). The central offices are equipped with AIN software which enables them to generate triggers which active queries requesting the name of the calling party. The SCP contains subscriber information which enables it to determine the type of query that is associated with each trigger. The SCP also incorporates a database containing telephone numbers and corresponding names. Software incorporated into the SCP enables it to respond to the queries sent to it by searching its database and returning the telephone number and corresponding name of a calling party to a called party's central office and the called party.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a masked phone service, which depending on phone user's original phone number to virtually create multiple new corresponding substitutive phone numbers, called mask phone numbers; to mask phone user's original phone number when on demand; by adding this new created mask phone number, therefore, to make the phone user have at least two phone numbers on single phone device so that the phone user's original phone number and the mask phone number may be separately used for his working and private time respectively, and by this way the phone user's personal privacy is then improved.

Abstract: A telephone or adjunct Caller ID device adaptively stores Caller ID data based, for example, on a blocked status of the Caller ID data. In a particular example, a telephone or Caller ID device includes a memory adapted to store Caller ID data associated with an incoming call, and a processor adapted to affect storage of the Caller ID data based on an attribute of the Caller ID data, such as a blocked status of the Caller ID data. In an alternative embodiment, a method of receiving an incoming telephone call includes the steps of receiving Caller ID data associated with the incoming telephone call, evaluating a portion of the Caller ID data, and making a storage decision based on the evaluation. The decision may be based on a blocked status of the Caller ID data. The decision may be made proximate in time to the reception of the incoming telephone call, or in response to a user input to affect Caller ID already stored.

Abstract: The present invention provides a call-return process and system, wherein a called party can return a missed call to a caller's private number. A forwarded call is received by a call management system, wherein the forwarded call was originally directed by a caller to a first telephone line associated with a user. The call management system receives call signaling information, including a phone number, associated with the caller. The call management system then determines whether the phone number is a private phone number or a public phone number. If the phone number is private, the call management system notifies the user of the call, and without revealing the caller's phone number to the user, enables the user to return the caller's call.

Abstract: A method (20) and system (50) is provided that permits a telephone caller to leave a message for a called party that does not have a conventional answering service, such as voice mail, an answering machine, a third-party operator-assisted answering service, or the like. A configurable blocking mechanism is also provided, permitting parties to prevent the message delivery service from being offered to callers attempting to reach them. The method (20) and system (50) can be implemented using an advanced intelligent network (AIN). In an AIN environment, the blocking mechanism can include a switch control point (SCP) (58) configured to access a termination blocking list (60). The termination blocking list (60) can be an SCP database file containing entries representing called parties who have blocked the message delivery service.

Abstract: A system and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information can not be provided. A calling party is prompted by an announcement to provide the audible caller identification information. The announcement may be tailored by changing the language of the announcement, for example, to conform to the majority of calls received by the called party. A special designator may be stored in association with account information when the service is ordered. The designator is read before the announcement is played to the calling party. The audible caller identification information is recorded and played to the called party in a message. The message may be tailored by changing the language or format of the announcement.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a location blocking service for use in a wireless network that tracks the location and identity of network users, such as networks complying with enhanced 911 standards. The service provides a network user with the ability to prevent the location of her wireless handheld device from being disclosed to parties other than the wireless network provider and PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points). The network user blocks the forwarding of location information by signaling to the wireless handheld device when the location information originates from the wireless handheld device, or by signaling to the network when the location information originates from the wireless handheld device or the network. Primary components of the present invention include at least one user interface and at least one location block processor provisioned in the wireless handheld device and/or the wireless network.

Abstract: In a telephone network for use in placing telephone calls to a destination number associated with a called party, the destination number having restricted access for collect telephone calls, a system and method for providing a message to the called party of a collect telephone call from a calling party. A caller placing a collect telephone call is notified of the restricted access of the destination number for collect telephone calls and provided with an option for recording a message for delivery to the called party. If the calling party accepts the option, a message is recorded, such as by routing the collect telephone call to a messaging platform for use in recording the message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively sending a false system information tone (SIT) in response to an incoming telephone call is provided. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a telephone line interface, caller identification (caller ID) module, programmable oscillator, display device, and controller. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a data storage module, telephone line interface, caller ID module, programmable oscillator, display device, controller, and one or more control devices. The method includes the steps of: a) detecting a ring on the telephone line, b) receiving information about a calling party associated with the incoming telephone call, c) determining if a false SIT is to be sent based on the calling party information, and, d) if the false SIT is to be sent, i) determining when the false SIT is to be sent; ii) generating the false SIT; and, iii) sending the false SIT at the determined time.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and method in conjunction with a service wherein a called caller identification (caller ID) customer is provided a promotional message such as “We Are Talking Chevrolet”, rather than a conventional privacy message such as “anonymous caller”, during a silent interval between intermittent ringing signals or after a call waiting (CW) tone when a calling party or a local switching office of the calling party has invoked a privacy option to prevent the delivery of the calling party's directory telephone number with or without a corresponding name (DN) to customer premises equipment (CPE) of the caller ID customer. In accordance with this invention, when the calling party's DN is received at a local switching office (LSO) of the caller ID customer flagged as “private” indicating that the DN may not be disclosed to the caller ID customer, the LSO sends the intermittent ringing signals or the CW tone to the caller ID customer.

Abstract: A telephone system for reliably providing caller identification information to telephone call recipients such that they can choose whether or not to answer a telephone call. The telephone system includes a decoder module for receiving a toll-free telephone call and decoding automatic number identification (ANI) information included within the toll-free telephone call. The system also includes a converter module for converting the decoded ANI information into caller ID information. The system also includes a forwarding module for making an outgoing telephone call to a toll-based telephone number of the call recipient and sending the audio data of the original toll-free telephone call and the caller ID information with the outgoing telephone call. In this manner, ANI information is used to generate caller ID information even if the calling party has blocked its caller ID information.

Abstract: A method for providing a messaging service in a telecommunication system (900) includes providing a calling party with an option to leave a voice message (1010). If the calling party accepts the option, determining screening criteria for the called communication station (1018). In response to the screening criteria, the call is selectively completed to a messaging service (172).

Abstract: A method of selective telephone caller identification includes the steps of providing a list of telephone numbers of second parties to which a first party is willing to release identification information regarding the first party (101). This list is supplied to, and stored in a database of, a telephone company by the request of the first party if the first party subscribes to a call blocking service with the telephone company (102). When the first party dials a telephone number (104), the telephone company determines whether the first party subscribes to the call blocking service (105). If yes, the telephone company searches the list in the database to determine if the dialed telephone number is on the list (106). When it is determined that the first party subscribes to the call blocking service and the dialed telephone number is not on the list, the telephone ID information is blocked by the telephone company (111).

Abstract: Processing a call from a calling party at a calling communication station to a called communication station includes detecting signalling information for the call, including determining whether standard caller identification for the calling communication station can be provided to the called communication station and detecting a privacy level selected by a called party at the called communication station. The call is routed in response to the signalling information and the privacy level.

Abstract: Call screening and other communication services are described. The described methods and apparatus allow a call screening service subscriber to be provided with a caller supplied spoken name when caller ID information is blocked or unavailable. The call screening service subscriber can decide after hearing the spoken identification information how to dispose of the call. A plurality of call disposition options are supported including accept the call, reject the call, transfer to voice mail, etc. A specific salesman reject message is included as one of the call disposition options. In order to support interactive real time subscriber selection of call disposition options and the use of an answering machine by call screening service subscribers, methods and apparatus are used to detect when a human, as opposed to a machine has answered a call.

Abstract: A system (100) and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information can not be provided, even when a subscriber to the service has per line blocking. A service control point (106) detects the directory number to which a terminating attempt trigger is assigned and places this directory number in a parameter for transmission to a service switching point (102) using a forward_call message (206). The per line blocking function does not interfere with transmission of this parameter so that the called party's directory number can be passed for processing and call completion by the system.

Abstract: A method (20) and system (50) is provided that permits a telephone caller to leave a message for a called party that does not have a conventional answering service, such as voice mail, an answering machine, a third-party operator-assisted answering service, or the like. A configurable blocking mechanism is also provided, permitting parties to prevent the message delivery service from being offered to callers attempting to reach them. The method (20) and system (50) can be implemented using an advanced intelligent network (AIN). In an AIN environment, the blocking mechanism can include a switch control point (SCP) (58) configured to access a termination blocking list (60). The termination blocking list (60) can be an SCP database file containing entries representing called parties who have blocked the message delivery service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying call waiting information in a communication system is particularly well suited for correcting mispronunciation of caller identification information provided for a call waiting call. A current pronunciation of the call waiting information is provided to the calling party who is prompted to change the current pronunciation. The system receives a new pronunciation of the call waiting information and stores information about the new pronunciation for subsequent retrieval.

Abstract: A device enables a user to block telephone numbers designated by a caller ID device as “Unavailable”, “Out of Area”, and “Private” numbers. And, specified numbers can be provided in a list and blocked. A user can optionally select actions for the “No Caller ID Call Block” situation. In a first setting the telephone line ring can be suppressed, caller ID data read, and a determination made whether to pass or block the call. In this first case, the block will be performed by the telephone line going off-hook momentarily and back on-hook, such that the call is answered and subsequently disconnected. In a second setting, the block will be performed by the telephone line going off-hook momentarily and back on-hook, such that the call is answered and subsequently disconnected. In a third setting, the telephone line ring will be suppressed, and the block will be performed by suppressing the ring of the telephone for the entire duration of the call attempt.

Abstract: An improved system and apparatus for providing caller identification information to a called party when standard Caller ID cannot be provided. If standard caller ID information cannot be provided for a call, the call is interrupted by the present service and the calling party is prompted for audible caller identification information. In one embodiment, when the audible caller identification is provided, the call is presented to the called party with a distinctive ring at the called telephone station. In another embodiment, the calling party may enter a personal identification number (PIN) to bypass the requirement for audible caller identification information. In still another embodiment, when the PIN is entered, the call is presented with a distinctive ring at the called communication station. In still another embodiment, the called party may send the incoming call to a voice mail system.

Abstract: An efficient and effective method and system for providing to a customer an audible call notification of a current call and a subsequently received call waiting call. The present embodiments notify the customer that a current call is waiting in an effective manner that reduces confusion. Confusion is reduced by the combination of audible call waiting indicators and audible caller identification information associated with the calling telephone station. Additionally, both the indicator and the representation of the information can be provided automatically without significant delay. The indication is provided even when standard caller identification information is not available by prompting the caller to provide spoken caller identification information. The spoken caller identification information is provided to the called party along with call disposition options, such as options to accept or reject the call, route the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message.