Method for protecting against undesired telephone advertising in communication networks

A method for protecting against undesired advertising in a network having a switch device connected to a plurality of terminals and a call handler device, the method comprising:

• providing a first list for storing an identification of a caller expected of telephone advertising, the first list provided such that the first list is accessible to the switch device;
• providing a second list for storing an identification of a caller not expected of telephone advertising, the second list provided such that the second list is accessible to the switch device;
• the switch device comparing an identification of a caller in an incoming call with the identification stored in the first list;
• the switch device comparing the incoming call identification with the identification stored in the second list;
• the switch device directing the incoming call to the call handler device in response to the incoming call identification not matching the stored identification in the first list and not matching the stored identification in the second list;
• the call handler device examining the incoming call to determine whether telephone advertising is being received;
• updating the first list to include the incoming call identification in response to the examination by the call handler device determining that telephone advertising is being received;
• updating the second list to include the incoming call identification in response to the examination by the call handler device determining that telephone advertising is not being received;
• the switch device directing the incoming call to a called party when the incoming call identification is in the second list;
• and rejecting the incoming call when the incoming call identification is in the first list;
• and
• wherein the incoming call identification identifies at least one of a call number and an internet address.

A method for protecting against undesired telephone advertising in a communications network comprised of a switch device connected to a call handler apparatus and at least one terminal, the method comprising:

• providing a first list for storing an identification of a caller expected of telephone advertising, the first list accessible to the switch device;
• providing a second list for storing an identification of a caller not expected of telephone advertising, the second list accessible to the switch device;
• the switch device comparing an identification of a caller of an incoming call with the identification stored in the first list;
• the switch device comparing the incoming call identification with the identification stored in the second list;
• the switch device directing the incoming call to a terminal of a called party in response to the incoming call identification matching the stored identification in the second list;
• the switch device directing the incoming call to the call handler apparatus in response to the incoming call identification not matching the stored identification in the first list and not matching the stored identification in the second list;
• the switch device directing the incoming call to the call handler apparatus in response to the incoming call not having an identification;
• the call handler apparatus examining the incoming call to determine whether telephone advertising is being received in response to the call being directed to the call handler apparatus;
• and
• in response to the examination by the call handler apparatus determining that telephone advertising is being received:
• updating the first list to include the incoming call identification in response to the presence of the incoming call identification, and the switch device rejecting the incoming call.