Patent ID: 6980633
Filing Date: 2005-12-27
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A method for providing to a first party already engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party via a telephone local switching office identifying information related to a calling third party wishing to converse with the first party in a manner that minimizes the time period of a mute condition for a first party, comprising the steps of: (a) the local switching office sending a call waiting signal to the first party; (b) the first party apparatus responding to the call waiting signal by transmitting to the local switching office an acknowledgment signal indicating that it is ready to receive calling party identifying information; (c) concurrently with the transmission of said acknowledgement signal to said local switching office, utilizing at least one notch filter to render said acknowledgment signal substantially inaudible; (d) the local switching office then transmitting data corresponding to said identifying information related to the third party; (e) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the presence of said data transmission by muting its' own handset; (f) the first party apparatus then receiving, storing, and displaying to the first party said identifying information related to the third party as received in said data transmission, thereby allowing the first party to know the identity of the third party; and (g) the first party apparatus responding to the detection of the end of said data received by terminating the muting of its' own handset, thereby allowing the first and second party to resume conversation.