Method for screening calls
AssigneeQwest Communications International Inc.
InventorsBrent V. Bell, Peggy S. Schwend, L. Anne Mardick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for automatically administrating incoming and outgoing call services include, for example, a method for screening calls from a caller to a subscriber intercepts a call and sends the call directly to the subscriber when the caller is on an established privileged caller list. The exemplary method includes establishing the privileged caller list, and holding a call for further processing if the caller is not on the privileged caller list.
Claims18
A method for administrating a service for incoming calls, to a subscriber, the method comprising:
- intercepting an incoming call for processing;
- identifying a caller for the incoming call;
- monitoring activities of the caller during a series of incoming calls;
- determining an automatic service for the caller based on the caller activities;
- and
- processing subsequent incoming calls from the caller in accordance with the automatic service.
A method for administrating a service for outgoing calls from a caller, the method comprising:
- monitoring activities of the caller during a series of outgoing calls;
- determining an automatic service for the caller based on the caller activities;
- and
- processing subsequent outgoing calls from the caller in accordance with the automatic service.
A method for screening calls from a caller to a subscriber, the method comprising:
- establishing a list of privileged callers for the subscriber based on caller identity;
- intercepting a call from the caller, the call being destined for the subscriber;
- automatically identifying the privileged status of the caller as determined by the caller's identification in accordance with the list of privileged callers;
- and
- sending the call directly to the subscriber when the caller is on the list of privileged callers, otherwise, holding the call for processing.
A method for screening calls from a caller to a subscriber, the method comprising:
- establishing at least one privileged caller criterion for the subscriber based on caller identity;
- intercepting a call from the caller, the call being destined for the subscriber;
- automatically identifying the privileged status of the caller as determined by the caller's identification in accordance with the at least one privileged caller criterion;
- and
- sending the call directly to the subscriber when the caller meets the at least one privileged caller criterion, otherwise, holding the call for processing.
A method for screening calls from a caller to a subscriber, the method comprising:
- generating a list of privileged callers for the subscriber, the list being based in part on information provided by the subscriber and in part on at least one automatic privileged caller criterion, wherein the information provided by the subscriber overrides the at least one criterion;
- intercepting a call from the caller, the call being destined for the subscriber;
- and
- sending the call directly to the subscriber when the caller is on the list of privileged callers, otherwise, holding the call for processing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.