Abstract:
A method for screening and routing incoming telephone calls includes extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call, providing a plurality of tables including a primary ring table, a secondary ring table, a voicemail table, a block call table, and a forward call table, and determining which one of the plurality of tables includes the caller identification information. The method further includes sending the incoming telephone call directly to voicemail without having a ring tone if the voicemail table includes the caller identification information, blocking the incoming telephone call if the block call table includes the caller identification information, and forwarding the incoming telephone call if the forward call table includes the caller identification information.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from and is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/010,541, filed Dec. 13, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,860,230, which in turn claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/529,400, filed Dec. 12, 2003. Both of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to the screening and routing of telephone calls, and more particularly to a telephone call screening and routing device and related method. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     With the widespread use of telephones, in particular cellular telephones, telephone users are able to make and receive many more telephone calls a day. However, many received telephone calls are unwanted telephone calls, such as solicitations, telemarketers, wrong numbers, or calls the telephone user does not want to answer. In order to avoid some of these telephone calls, many telephone users request that their numbers be unlisted to prevent a large number of third parties from calling the telephone user. Nonetheless, once the telephone user gives out his/her telephone number, a possibility exists that the telephone number will be obtained by unwanted callers. 
     In an attempt to screen unwanted telephone calls, many telephone users subscribe to a service called caller identification (ID). Each telephone call is generally preceded with caller ID information that identifies the telephone number of the calling party. The caller ID information (i.e., the telephone number of the calling party) is displayed on the telephone display to allow the telephone user to view this information prior to answering the telephone call. Depending on the caller ID information, the telephone user may answer the telephone or allow the telephone to continue to ring until the answering machine or voicemail system picks up the telephone call. 
     On the other hand, the calling party may conceal its identity by subscribing to a service called caller ID block. Caller ID block allows the telephone caller to prevent the telephone user from knowing the identity of the caller. Therefore, the telephone user may have to risk answering the telephone call, just to find out that the call is from an unwanted caller. Alternatively, the telephone user may allow the phone to continue to ring until the answering machine or voicemail system picks up the telephone. The unwanted caller and the continuous ringing of the telephone may be disruptive, distracting and irritating to the telephone user. Thereafter, the telephone user will have to check its messages or voicemails to possibly determine the identity of the caller and the contents of the message. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In particular, and by way of example only, one embodiment of the invention is a method for screening and routing an incoming call from a caller. The method includes receiving an incoming telephone signal including caller identification information from a caller and identifying an entry in a data set that matches the caller identification information. The method also includes extracting an identifier from the entry in the data set and, based on the identifier, selecting one of a set including (1) sending a primary ring signal, (2) sending a secondary ring signal, (3) sending a voicemail signal, (4) sending a block call signal, and (5) sending a forward call signal. 
     One embodiment of the invention is a method for screening and routing incoming telephone calls. The method includes extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call, providing a plurality of tables including a primary ring table, a secondary ring table, a voicemail table, a block call table, and a forward call table, and determining which one of the plurality of tables includes the caller identification information. The method also includes allowing the incoming telephone call to have a primary ring tone if the primary ring table includes the caller identification information, and allowing the incoming telephone call to have a secondary ring tone if the secondary ring table includes the caller identification information. The method further includes sending the incoming telephone call directly to voicemail without having a ring tone if the voicemail table includes the caller identification information, blocking the incoming telephone call if the block call table includes the caller identification information, and forwarding the incoming telephone call if the forward call table includes the caller identification information. 
     One embodiment of the invention is a device for screening and routing incoming telephone calls. The device includes a transceiver for receiving an incoming telephone call including caller identification information and a memory for storing a plurality of entries where each entry has an identifier selected from one of a set including (1) a primary ring, (2) a secondary ring, (3) a voicemail, (4) a block call, and (5) a forward call. The device also includes a processor for matching the caller identification information to one of the plurality of entries and for allowing the incoming telephone call to have a primary ring tone if the identifier of the matched entry is the primary ring, allowing the incoming telephone call to have a secondary ring tone if the identifier of the matched entry is the secondary ring, sending the incoming telephone call directly to voicemail without having a ring tone if the identifier of the matched entry is the voicemail, blocking the incoming telephone call if the identifier of the matched entry is the block call, and forwarding the incoming telephone call if the identifier of the matched entry is the forward call. 
     These and other features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a cellular telephone having a display and a keypad for implementing an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the principal components of the cellular telephone for implementing an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a main table including, for example, a primary ring table, a secondary ring table, a voicemail table, a block call table, and a forward call table that are used for screening and routing of telephone calls according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an address book having an alphabetical listing of names and numbers with identifiers that specify the screening and/or routing operation that is performed when a telephone call is received from the listed number according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a menu or window that is displayed on the display screen when the telephone user selects one of the names and/or numbers in the address book according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an identifier menu or window that is displayed on the display screen when the telephone user selects the edit identifier line on the menu; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating the process of screening and routing an incoming call according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Systems and methods that implement the embodiments of the various features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure in which the element first appears. 
     Referring now more particularly to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a front view of a cellular telephone  100  having a display screen  105  and a keypad  110  for implementing an embodiment of the invention. The display screen  105  is typically a backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. The keypad  110  includes numeric keys for dialing and allowing the telephone user to input information (e.g., numbers, letters, or commands) into the cellular telephone  100 . The cellular telephone  100  also has an earpiece  115  (e.g., a speaker), a microphone  120 , an antenna  125 , and a power button  130 . The earpiece  115  delivers audible sounds to the telephone user, the microphone  120  receives voice signals from the telephone user, the antenna  125  transmits and receives radio frequency signals, and the power button  130  turns the cellular telephone  100  on and off. In one embodiment, the keypad  110  includes a SEND key  135  for initiating a call or selecting an operation, an END key  140  for terminating a call or exiting an operation, and an UP/DOWN key  145  for scrolling through operations or entries that are displayed on the display screen  105 . The cellular telephone  100  houses the components shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 2 . Even though a cellular telephone  100  has been described, other conventional telephone can be utilized. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram  200  illustrating the principal components of the cellular telephone  100  for implementing an embodiment of the invention. The cellular telephone  100  includes a processor  205  for executing routines that are used to screen and route telephone calls. The processor  205  retrieves the routines from the program memory  215 . The routines may cause the processor  205  to display menus on the display screen  105  that may be selected by the telephone user using the keypad  110 . The routines are generally implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The routines can be stored in the program memory  215 . The processor  205  includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for converting analog voice signals, from the microphone  120 , into digital voice signals that are sent to a remote telephone user via the transceiver  220  and the antenna  125 . The processor  205  also includes a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter for converting digital voice signals, received from the remote telephone user, into analog voice signals that are received by the telephone user via the earpiece  115 . The transceiver  220  is used to send and receive radio frequency signals to and from the processor  205  via the antenna  125 . In addition, using a text input program stored in the program memory  215 , the telephone user can compose a text message using the keypad  110  that can be sent to the remote telephone user. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a main table  300  including, for example, a primary ring table  305 , a secondary ring table  310 , a voicemail table  315 , a block call table  320 , and a forward call table  325  that are used for screening and routing of telephone calls according to an embodiment of the invention. To screen and route telephone calls, the telephone user enters information, using the keypad  110 , that can be viewed using the display screen  105  and can be stored in the data memory  210 . That is, the telephone user may associate each name and/or telephone number with a table for facilitate the screening and routing of telephone calls. For example, each name and/or telephone number can be associated with one of the following tables: the primary ring table  305 , the secondary ring table  310 , the voicemail table  315 , the block call table  320 , and the forward call table  325 . The name of the table generally specifies the screening and/or routing operation that is performed when a telephone call is received. The telephone user generally selects a particular table for each name and/or telephone number stored in the data memory  210 . The contents of the main table  300  are generally stored in the data memory  210 , which can be accessed by the processor  205 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an address book  400  having an alphabetical listing of names  405  and numbers  410  with identifiers  415  that specify the screening and/or routing operation that is performed when a telephone call is received from the listed number  410 . The identifiers  415  can be, for example, a primary ring (PR), a secondary ring (SR), a voicemail (VM), a block call (BC), and a forward call (FC). Each name  405  and number  410  may have a corresponding identifier  415 . The identifier  415  specifies the action to be taken if a telephone call having the corresponding name  405  or number  410  is received by the cellular telephone  100 . 
     In a first example, if the cellular telephone  100  receives a telephone call from telephone number 800-333-1111 (Mother-in-Law), the call is sent directly to voicemail without the cellular telephone  100  ringing. In one embodiment, the telephone user does not know that a telephone call was received by the Mother-in-Law unless the Mother-in-Law leaves a voicemail message for the telephone user. Hence, the telephone call is received without the telephone user knowing that the call was made and the telephone user&#39;s cellular telephone  100  does not ring. In another embodiment, the telephone user receive a message on the display screen  105  stating “Call from Mother-in-Law (800-333-1111) Sent Directly to Voicemail”. This embodiment allows the telephone user to know if a telephone call has been sent directly to voicemail and the name and number of the telephone caller. 
     In a second example, if the cellular telephone  100  receives a telephone call from telephone number 800-444-2222, the call is blocked (i.e., a busy signal is received by the Ex-Wife or the call is disconnected or dropped). In one embodiment, the telephone user does not know that a telephone call was attempted by the Ex-Wife. The telephone call is blocked without the telephone user knowing that the call was attempted and the telephone user&#39;s cellular telephone  100  does not ring. In another embodiment, the telephone user receives a message on the display screen  105  stating “Blocked Call from Ex-Wife (800-444-2222)”. This embodiment allows the telephone user to know if a telephone call has been blocked and the name and number of the telephone caller. 
     In a third example, if the cellular telephone  100  receives a telephone call from telephone number 800-555-3333 (Patient #1), the call can be forwarded to another person, for example, another on-call doctor at his telephone number (800-666-3333), without the cellular telephone  100  ringing. In one embodiment, the telephone user does not know that a telephone call was received by the Patient #1. Hence, the telephone call is received without the telephone user knowing that the call was made and the telephone user&#39;s cellular telephone  100  does not ring. In another embodiment, the telephone user receives a message on the display screen  105  stating “Call from Patient #1 (800-555-3333) Forwarded to Doctor # 2  (800-666-3333)”. This embodiment allows the telephone user to know if a telephone call has been forwarded to another user and the name and number of the telephone caller and the forwarded recipient. 
     In some instances, the telephone caller&#39;s telephone number is unlisted, unavailable or blocked using caller ID block or any other call blocking device. In these situations, the telephone user can set the cellular telephone  100  to perform an operation for these telephone calls. That is, the identifier  415  for the name  405  or number  410  “Caller Unavailable” can be assigned to a particular table or set to PR, SR, VM, BC or FC. For example, when a telephone call is received that is from a telephone caller that blocks his/her telephone number, the telephone call can be, for example, blocked as described herein. 
     In some instances, the telephone caller&#39;s telephone number is not contained in the address book  400 . In these situations, the telephone user can set the cellular telephone  100  to perform an operation for these telephone calls. That is, the identifier  415  for the name  405  or number  410  “All Other Calls” can be assigned to a particular table or set to PR, SR, VM, BC or FC. For example, when a telephone call is received that is from a telephone caller not listed in the address book  400 , the telephone call can be, for example, sent directly to voicemail as described herein. 
     The telephone user can call a particular person or edit the name  405 , the number  410  and/or the identifier  415  by first moving (using the UP/DOWN key  145 ) a highlighted bar  425  over the desired name  405  and number  410 . For example, the highlighted bar  425  is shown in  FIG. 4  to be over the Spouse (800-111-1111). Then, the telephone user presses the SEND key  135 , which causes a menu or window  500  to be displayed on the display screen  105  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 5  is a menu or window  500  that is displayed on the display screen  105  when the telephone user selects one of the names  405  and/or numbers  410  in the address book  400 . The menu  500  includes a call line  505 , an edit information line  510 , an edit identifier line  515 , and a return to address book line  520 . The highlighted bar  425  is shown in its default position to be over the call line  505 . The telephone user can press the SEND key  135  to call the Spouse or move (using the UP/DOWN key  145 ) the highlighted bar  425  down the menu  500 . If the edit information line  510  is selected by pressing the SEND key  135 , the telephone user can edit the Spouse&#39;s information (e.g., address, telephone number, etc.). If the edit identifier line  515  is selected by pressing the SEND key  135 , an identifier menu or window  600  is displayed on the display screen  105  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
       FIG. 6  is an identifier menu or window  600  that is displayed on the display screen  105  when the telephone user selects the edit identifier line  515  on the menu  500 . The identifier menu  600  includes a select primary ring line  605 , a select secondary ring line  610 , a select voicemail line  615 , a select block call line  620 , and a select forward call line  625 . The highlighted bar  425  is shown in its default position to be over the primary ring line  605 . The telephone user can press the SEND key  135  to select the highlighted line or move (using the UP/DOWN key  145 ) the highlighted bar  425  to another line on the identifier menu  600 . If the primary ring line  605 , the secondary ring line  610 , the voicemail line  615  or the block call line  620  is selected by pressing the SEND key  135 , the new selection is saved for the particular name  405  and/or number  410  and the telephone user is returned to the previous menu  500 , which is displayed on the display screen  105  as shown in  FIG. 5 . If the forward call line  625  is selected by pressing the SEND key  135 , the address book  400  is displayed so that the telephone user can scroll through the names  405  and/or number  410  to select the forwarding number (see  FIG. 4 ). Optionally, the telephone user can input the name and/or number of the forwarding caller if the address book  400  does not list the forwarding caller. Once the forwarding number has been selected or input, the forwarding name and/or number is saved for the particular name  405  and/or number  410  and the telephone user is returned to the identifier menu  600 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart  700  illustrating the process of screening and routing an incoming call according to an embodiment of the invention. The phone carrier (e.g., Cingular Wireless) at a base station or call center receives an incoming telephone signal ( 705 ). The incoming telephone signal includes the telephone number to be called and the caller ID information of the caller. The phone carrier transmits the telephone number to be called and the caller ID information of the caller to a screening and routing system ( 710 ). The screening and routing system may be part of or connected (via a wired or wireless link) to the base station or located in the program memory  215  of the cellular telephone  100 . If the screening and routing system is part of or connected to the base station, the main table  300  or the address book  400  is stored in or made available to the screening and routing system. 
     The screening and routing system accesses the main table  300  or the address book  400  of the telephone number to be called and locates the telephone number of the caller in the main table  300  or the address book  400  ( 715 ). The screening and routing system determines the table (e.g., primary ring table  305 ) that includes or the identifier  415  that matches the telephone number of the caller ( 720 ). Based on the table or the identifier  415 , the screening and routing system performs one or more operations as described herein. 
     If the table or the identifier  415  corresponds to a primary ring, the screening and routing system sends or transmits the telephone call to the cellular telephone  100  ( 725 ) and causes or instructs the cellular telephone  100  to ring with a primary or standard ring tone ( 730 ). 
     If the table or the identifier  415  corresponds to a secondary ring, the screening and routing system sends or transmits the telephone call to the cellular telephone  100  ( 735 ) and causes or instructs the cellular telephone  100  to ring with a secondary or alternate ring tone ( 740 ). 
     If the table or the identifier  415  corresponds to voicemail, the screening and routing system sends or transmits the telephone call to the voicemail of the cellular telephone  100  without causing or instructing the cellular telephone to ring ( 745 ). In one embodiment, the screening and routing system sends or transmits a message to the display screen  105  stating “Call from [Name and Number] Sent Directly to Voicemail” ( 750 ). 
     If the table or the identifier  415  corresponds to a block call, the screening and routing system sends or transmits a busy signal to the caller or disconnects the caller ( 755 ). In one embodiment, the screening and routing system plays a message to the caller stating that the “Call has been Blocked by the Recipient” ( 760 ). In one embodiment, the screening and routing system sends or transmits a message to the display screen  105  stating “Call from [Name and Number] Has Been Blocked” ( 765 ). 
     If the table or the identifier  415  corresponds to a forward call, the screening and routing system determines the forwarding number from the table ( 770 ) and sends or transmits the telephone call to the forwarding number without causing or instructing the cellular telephone  100  to ring ( 775 ). In one embodiment, the screening and routing system sends or transmits a message to the display screen  105  stating “Call from [Name and Number] has been Forwarded to [Name and Number]” ( 780 ). 
     Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, many other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, may be made by one having skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiments, but is to be defined by reference to the appended claims.