Method and apparatus for identifying type of call

A method for call type identification of a calling party to a called party, prior to a communication therebetween, via a selective distinctive ring pattern signal, from a plurality of distinctive ring pattern signals and in one-to-one correspondence with said call type identification, to said called party, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a communication request from said calling party to said called party;
• prompting from said local switch said calling party for said call type identification of said communication;
• responding, by said calling party, the prompt for said call type identification;
• interpreting the call type identification response of said calling party;
• selectively generating, upon the interpretation of the call type identification response, said selective distinctive ring pattern signal to said called party, said selective distinctive ring pattern signal being in one-to-one correspondence to said call type identification;
• and
• selectively blocking, upon the interpretation of the call type identification responses said calling party from communicating with said called party.

A local switch for call type identification of a calling party to a called party, prior to a communication therebetween, via a selective distinctive ring pattern signal, from a plurality of distinctive ring pattern signals and in one-to-one correspondence with said call type identification, to said called party, said telecommunications system comprising:

• a first message generator for generating, upon receipt of a communication request from said calling party, a prompting message from said local switch to said calling party, said prompting message requesting a response from said calling party for the call type identification of said communication request from said calling party to said called party;
• a message interpreter for interpreting, upon receipt of said response, the call type identification entered by said calling party;
• a second message generator for selectively generating, upon interpretation of said response, said selective distinctive ring pattern signal to said called party, said selective distinctive ring pattern signal being in one-to-one correspondence to said call type identification;
• and
• a blocking means for selectively blocking, upon interpretation of said response, said communication between said calling party and said called party.