Method and system for providing enhanced caller identification information

US6748068B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• SBC Properties, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Patrick J. Walsh · Naperville, US
• Theodore James Myers · East Dundee, US
• Jose M. Cruz · Menlo Park, US
• Bruce Edward Stuckman · Algonquin, US
• John G. Rauch · Chicago, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 27, 2000
• Grant date: Jun 8, 2004
• Expiry date: Mar 27, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M3/53308
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus permit handling of unwanted calls from callers such as telemarketers, when caller identification is provided. In one embodiment, the called party adds the caller identification information for the telemarketer to a personal list after receiving the unwanted call. Subsequent calls from the telemarketer are intercepted. In a second embodiment, the called party identifies the telemarketer by detecting the caller identification information before answering the call. By providing a screen listing indication, the caller identification information is added to the called party's personal list before the call is completed, permitting the call to be intercepted and while future calls from the telemarketer to be intercepted.