Call origination control

Abstract

The present invention provides for selectively blocking outgoing calls based on blocking criteria configured by a telephony subscriber or representative thereof. When a call is initiated, blocking criteria associated with the telephony terminal from which the call is being initiated are used to determine whether the call should be blocked or allowed to continue. Once a determination is made, a telephony switch or telephony server supporting the telephony terminal either blocks the call or allows the call to continue as dictated by the blocking criteria. The blocking criteria may be applied to one or more telephony terminals. Further, the blocking criteria may be based on the party being called, time of day, day of week, financial authorization, type of call, or any combination thereof. The subscribers or representatives thereof can easily and efficiently configure the blocking criteria to control whether or not outgoing calls are blocked or allowed to continue.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.