Method and system for screening calls directed to an international telephone operator
US5668856A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q3/70
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for screening international phone calls to reduce the number of phone calls which are made simply for the purpose of talking with international operators (prank phone calls) and to reduce the workload of the operators. When an international incoming phone call is placed from a calling terminal abroad, a database is used to determine, based on the calling country code of the incoming phone call, whether the call is from a prank phone call country. If the call is from a prank phone call country, an announcement for determining the intention of the caller is sent to the caller. If the caller provides a response to the announcement, a determination is made as to whether the response is valid. If the response is determined to be valid, the call is connected to the operator. If the response is invalid, the call is determined to be a prank call and is thus disconnected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.