Enhanced privacy feature for telephone systems
US5033076A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q3/70
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
This invention relates to apparatus and a method for use in conjunction with a service wherein a called telephone customer receives a display of the number of a calling telephone customer. In conjunction with this service, customers are offered a class of service and/or an option to dial a privacy request wherein their telephone number will not be displayed to the called telephone customer. In accordance with this invention, the customers are offered a class of service wherein they will receive calls only from telephone customers willing to have their telephone number displayed. If a call is made from a caller who does not wish to have his number displayed to a called customer who will not accept calls from customers unwilling to identify themselves, the caller is given a special announcement; in response to this announcement if the caller keys a special privacy override code then the call is completed with the caller's number displayed. Law enforcement agencies may be provided with a class of service which allows them to obtain a caller's number even when the caller has invoked privacy. Advantageously, such an arrangement protects telephone customers from receiving harassing calls…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.