Patent ID: 6697473
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
An automated, personalized telephone call management system, which comprises the following elements:A. Means for inputting and storing telephone numbers within a plurality of priority groups in a database, and means for inputting and storing time periods for telephone call acceptance within each of the plurality of priority groups in the database; B. Means for manually or automatically altering the time periods for telephone call acceptance within each of the plurality of priority groups in the database; C. Means for providing a telephone ring for an incoming call emanating from a caller employing a telephone, the number of which matches a telephone number stored in the database within one of the plurality of priority groups, and only when the actual time of the call is within the time period for call acceptance within one of the plurality of priority groups in the database, coupled with means for transferring out of time acceptance period calls and other incoming calls to a smart answering message system providing a recorded message audible only to the caller and requesting that a communication be left by the caller; D. Means for providing a telephone ring for an incoming call emanating from an exigency caller employing a telephone, the number of which does not match a telephone number within one of the plurality of priority groups in the database, coupled with means for providing a prompt to the exigency caller through the smart answering message system to press star on the keyboard of his/her telephone, thereby actuating auxiliary methodology to provide a telephone ring; E. Means for entering into the database the number of the telephone from which an exigency caller has actuated the auxiliary methodology to provide a telephone ring, whether or not the call has been answered, coupled with means for causing a special indicator light to blink, thereby showing that an exigency call has been received; and F. Means for inputting and storing within a non-acceptable caller data bank in the database the telephone number of any exigency caller who inappropriately uses the star key to activate the auxiliary methodology to provide a telephone ring, coupled with means for ensuring that any subsequent call from any number within the non-acceptable caller data bank in the database will not actuate the auxiliary methodology to provide a telephone ring.