Call screening method and apparatus

A process for screening an incoming call from an incoming caller, wherein the process is implemented in a mobile station, said process comprising the following steps of:

• a) receiving an incoming call from an incoming caller;
• responsive to receiving the incoming call, further including the steps of:
• b) placing said incoming caller on hold;
• c) communicating with a service provider;
• d) placing the service provider and the incoming caller on multi-party hold;
• and
• e) signalling the service provider to begin screening.

A process for screening an incoming call from an incoming caller, wherein the process is implemented in a service provider, said process comprising the following steps of:

• a) receiving communication from a mobile station indicating a desire to connect, responsive to the mobile station receiving an incoming call from an incoming caller;
• b) connecting with the mobile station;
• c) receiving communication from the mobile station to begin screening the incoming call from the incoming caller;
• d) collecting information regarding the incoming caller;
• and
• e) communicating information collected in step d) to the mobile station.

A process for screening an incoming call from an incoming caller wherein the apparatus for carrying out the process comprises a mobile station and a service provider, said process comprising the following steps of:

• a) receiving at the mobile station an incoming call from an incoming caller;
• b) at the mobile station, placing said incoming caller on hold;
• c) sending communication from the mobile station to a service provider indicating a desire to connect;
• d) receiving communication at the service provider from the mobile station indicating a desire to connect;
• e) connecting the mobile station and the service provider;
• f) placing the service provider and the incoming caller on multi-party hold;
• g) sending communication to the service provider from the mobile station signalling the service provider to begin screening;
• h) receiving communication from the mobile station at the service provider signalling the service provider to begin screening;
• i) collecting information from the incoming caller;
• j) sending communication regarding information collected in step i) from the service provider to the mobile station;
• k) receiving communication from the service provider to the mobile station regarding information collected in step i);
• l) selecting one of a set comprising (1) accepting the call and (2) rejecting the call;
• m) in the event that accepting the call was selected in step l), disconnecting the connection between the service provider and the mobile station;
• and
• n) in the event that rejecting the call was selected in step l), signalling the service provider that the service provider should handle the incoming call.

Apparatus for screening an incoming call for use in cellular telecommunications, said apparatus comprising:

• a service provider;
• and a mobile station adapted to receive an incoming call, the mobile station programmed to connect with the service provider responsive to receiving the incoming call;
• wherein said service provider is programmed to collect information regarding an incoming caller's identification and to communicate at least part of said information to said mobile station;
• and wherein said mobile station is programmed to receive communications from said service provider regarding said information and to communicate said information to a user of said mobile station,
• wherein said information comprises audio;
• whereby said user can select one of a set comprising (1) accepting the incoming call and (2) rejecting the incoming call.