Convenience features in a method and system for providing enhanced caller identification

A method for processing a call from a calling party at a calling communication station to a called communication station, the method comprising:

• (a) determining whether standard caller identification information for the calling communication station can be provided to the called communication station;
• (b) transmitting a request for audible caller identification information to the calling communication station in response to a determination that the standard caller identification information cannot be provided to the called communication station;
• (c) detecting receipt of a bypass indication from the calling communication station;
• (d) in response to the bypass indication, if call control information included an indicator to indicate that the call should be completed with a distinctive ring, ringing the called communication station with a distinctive ring;
• (e) if no bypass indication is received, transmitting the audible caller identification information to the called communication station;
• and
• (f) canceling the call in response to input from the called communication station.

A system for processing a call from a calling party at a calling communication station to a called party at a called communication station comprising:

• means for determining whether standard caller identification information for the calling communication station can be provided to the called communication station;
• means for transmitting a request for audible caller identification information to the calling communication station in response to a determination that the standard caller identification information cannot be provided to the called communication station;
• means for canceling the call in response to a determination that no response was received from the calling communication station to the request for audible caller identification information;
• means for transmitting the audible caller identification information to the called communication station;
• and
• means for immediately connecting the call between the calling communication station and the called communication station in response to a personal identification number provided by the called party to the calling party and entered by the calling party.