Patent ID: 6298122
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: H04M,H04W

Abstract:
A call handling system, comprising:an incoming line connected to a local exchange;a switch connected between the incoming line and two or more communications device ports and selectively permitting ring signals on the incoming line to be passed to at least one communications device port;at least one handset connected to one of the communications device ports, the handset having an internal ringera controller controlling the switch and executing a caller identification process which:responsive to detection of an incoming call, captures caller identification information associated with the incoming call without allowing ring signals associated with the incoming call to be passed to any communications device port;compares the caller identification information associated with the incoming call with caller identification information for allowable calling parties for which a user desires not to block calls stored in a memory accessible to the controller;responsive to determining that a match exists between the caller identification information associated with the incoming call and caller identification information for an allowable calling party, allowing ring signals associated with the incoming call to be passed to at least one of the communications device ports to cause the internal ringer to sound; andresponsive to determining no match exists between the caller identification information associated with the incoming call and caller identification information for allowable calling parties, directing the incoming call to a recording system without allowing the ring signals to pass to the internal ringer of the handset or to cause any audible indication of the incoming call; anda touch tone override decoder connected to the controller,wherein the caller identification process executed by the controller:detects touch tone signals on the incoming line and compares the detected touch tone signals to a predetermined override pattern; andresponsive to determining that the detected touch tone signals match the override predetermined pattern, connects the incoming line to at least one communications device port regardless of whether the caller identification information associated with the incoming call matches caller identification information for an allowable calling party.