Method and apparatus for screening telephone calls
US6353663B1 · kind B1 · utility
177Cited by
9References
32Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 6, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2215/0196
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Callers to a number subscribing to a screening application are prompted that a fee will be charged for the connection to be completed. The prompting can occur at the initiation of the call, prior to any connection to the called party, or after the called party has had a chance to screen the call. The calling party can choose whether to complete the connection or to terminate the call. If the connection is completed, the fee is charged; otherwise, the call is terminated. Accordingly, most unwanted calls are avoided and users are compensated for receiving unwanted calls that are completed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.