Apparatus for preventing unwanted telephone calls
US5631951A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 20, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M1/665
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for preventing unwanted telephone calls adapted to operate in conjunction with a conventional telephone and an associated telephone line. A playback mechanism comprises an integrated circuit adapted to allow the transmission of a message via the telephone line upon the activation thereof for prompting a caller to enter a password. Also included is verification circuitry adapted to accept via the telephone line a first password and further transmit an actuation signal upon the positive verification of the first password with a predetermined second password. Finally, control circuitry is connected to the playback mechanism and verification circuitry. The control circuitry is adapted to activate the playback mechanism and allow the transmission of the message to another party upon the receipt of a call. The control circuitry also accepts the first password and allows communication between the telephone and associated telephone line upon the receipt of the actuation signal from the verification mechanism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.