Abstract:
The present invention provides a caller name delivery service telecommunications system having caller screening and other options. The system includes intercepting a call from a calling subscriber to a desired called subscriber, as a first option, prompting the caller to either speak his or her name, or speak or punch a pin number as a second option, reviewing caller screen and caller pass-through lists to determine whether the intercepted call is on either list, playing a called subscriber announcement requesting voice identification of the calling subscriber, recording the voice identification on a recording medium, transmitting to the called subscriber the recorded voice message, recording the telephone number of the calling subscriber and playing the voice identification in a voice format by means of text to speech or recorded digits to speech technology, and requesting the called party to accept the call by a plurality of different options. The present invention also includes a method for telecommunications involving caller name delivery services.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to systems and methods to receive information from a telephone caller and deliver that information to the called party (user). The called party can then consider the information and elect whether or not to answer the telephone call.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    A call screening service, commonly known as “Caller I.D.” has gained wide scale utilization amongst present-day telephone users. Caller I.D. is a service provided to the telephone user by the telephone service provider. Typically, the service provider supplies the user with information from the service provider&#39;s subscriber database. The information typically includes the telephone number of the telephone a caller is calling from and the subscriber name documented to that number. The data base information is delivered to the user concurrent to the user&#39;s telephone being rung and is provided on a display for the user to read. Subsequently, the user reviews the information provided and determines whether or not he desires to answer the call.  
           [0003]    Present-day Caller I. D. exhibits two notable shortcomings. As the first shortcoming, very often the caller is someone other than the subscriber name documented to the calling telephone. Consequently, the user can never be certain who is actually calling. Conversely, a caller wishing to avoid screening need only place his call from some telephone other than one of which he is the documented subscriber, such as a pay telephone or someone else&#39;s telephone. As the second shortcoming, the user is subject to perpetually paying a monthly fee to the service provider in order to receive the Caller I.D. service.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,511,111 to Serbetcioglu, 5,651,053 to Mitchell, 5,712,902 5,796,806 to Birckbichler and 5,850,435 to Devillier and suggest ways and means to receive information from the actual caller and deliver that information to the user. This information when delivered thus provides the user with the true identity of the caller rather than merely the subscriber and number registered to the calling telephone. Accordingly, these references alleviate the above described first shortcoming of Caller I.D.. However, as with Caller I.D., these references suggest their service be provided to the user by the telephone service provider. In other words, these services retain the above-described second shortcoming of Caller I.D., that is, the user perpetually paying a monthly fee to the service provider.  
           [0005]    Common-day telephone “answering machines” alleviate the two described shortcomings of Caller I.D. Firstly, the call-screening feature of answering machines supplies the user with the actual voice of the actual caller, enabling the user to positively determine the true identity of the actual caller. Secondly, because answering machines reside as property of the user, no monthly fee need ever be paid to the telephone service provider.  
           [0006]    Answering machines employ answering circuitry to answer a telephone call incoming from the service provider and to attain information from the caller. Answering machines include a delay, an information recorder and an information signal provider. The delay postpones the machine&#39;s answering of the call, allowing the user&#39;s telephone to first ring for a prescribed length of time. Thus the user is afforded the opportunity to answer the call if they so desire.  
           [0007]    Upon answering a call, answering machines communicate a message to the caller, such as “Please leave a message”. If the caller leaves a message, that message is received by the answering circuitry and forwarded to the information recorder where it is recorded. At the same time the message is also forwarded to the information signal provider. The signal provider then forwards what is a live audio signal to a loudspeaker. The live audio signal operates the loudspeaker and, so, the caller&#39;s message can be heard out of the loudspeaker as the caller leaves the message. Upon listening to the caller leave the message (screening the call), the user positively identifies the caller&#39;s voice and thus determines the caller&#39;s true identity. Accordingly, if the user decides he cares to talk with this particular caller, the answering machine provides that the user can answer the call by answering his telephone.  
           [0008]    Unfortunately, caller identification via the message-screening feature of answering machines is accomplished as a by-product of recording a message from the caller. Consequently, the effectiveness is greatly compromised. For instance, with answering machine message screening, often times the caller simply chooses not to leave a message and, thus, the user is not afforded the opportunity to screen and potentially answer the call. As a further compromise, when the user decides to answer a call being screened, the answering constitutes an abrupt/rude cut-in to the caller&#39;s leaving of a message.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    Embodiments of the present invention employ answering circuitry to attain information from a caller and an information signal provider to provide a signal to deliver the information to the called party (user).  
           [0010]    As an example of the operation of one embodiment, upon answering a call the system communicates a message to the caller such as, “Whom can I say is calling?” The name of the caller is then attained from the caller by the answering circuitry and forwarded to the information signal provider. Subsequently a message such as, “Please hold” is played to the caller. The information signal provider then composes the attained name of the caller into an audio signal and sends the audio signal to a loudspeaker. For instance, the caller has given his name, “John Stolz”, and that information when composed and sent to the loudspeaker will be broadcast from the loudspeaker as “John Stolz”, followed by a two second pause, and again “John Stolz” followed by a two second pause, and again “John Stolz” and so on. By providing the information in this repeating fashion, the user is afforded ample time/opportunity to satisfactorily hear the information and make a positive identification of the caller&#39;s voice.  
           [0011]    Upon establishing a positive identification, the user can then decide if he cares to talk with this particular caller, and if so, answers the call. If the user is not available or if the user decides not to answer the call, after a given length of time broadcasting the repeated caller&#39;s name, this embodiment of the invention then plays a message such as, “No one is presently available, please leave a message after the tone”. Subsequently, this embodiment will record a message from the caller if the caller decides to leave one.  
           [0012]    As with answering machines, embodiments of the present invention (such as the above described example) also alleviate the two described shortcomings of Caller I.D.. Firstly, the user is enabled to hear the actual caller&#39;s voice and therefrom establish a positive identification of the actual caller. Secondly, the system resides as property of the user. Consequently, no monthly fee need ever be paid to the telephone service provider. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    A preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 1 a ,  1   b ,  1   c  and  1   d  are block diagrammatic views depicting examples of a first preferred embodiment comprised of answering circuitry and an information signal provider;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 2 a ,  2   a ,  2   c  and  2   d  are block diagrammatic views depicting examples of a second preferred embodiment comprised of answering circuitry, an information signal provider and an alert signal provider;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  are block diagrammatic views depicting examples of a third preferred embodiment comprised of answering circuitry, an alert signal provider, an information signal provider and an activator;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  are block diagrammatic views depicting examples of a fourth preferred embodiment comprised of answering circuitry, an information signal provider and an initiator;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a block diagrammatic view depicting an example of a fifth preferred embodiment comprised of answering circuitry, an information signal provider and a delay;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a block diagrammatic view depicting an example of a sixth preferred embodiment comprised of answering circuitry, an information signal provider, a delay and a repeater;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a block diagrammatic view depicting an example of a seventh preferred embodiment comprised of answering circuitry, an information signal provider, a delay and a post-delivery recorder;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a block diagrammatic view depicting an example of an eighth preferred embodiment comprised of answering circuitry, an information signal provider, a delay and a stopper;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a block diagrammatic view depicting an example of a ninth preferred embodiment comprised of a plurality of information delivery systems and an enabler;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a block diagrammatic view depicting a first example of answering circuitry;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 a  is a block diagrammatic view depicting a second example of answering circuitry;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 is a block diagrammatic view depicting a telephone service provider with the present invention located therein. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]    The present invention presents a greatly improved means to deliver information about the caller to the user relative to answering machines. The invention functions by first identifying the caller and later can then additionally function to record a message from the caller. Because the functions of caller identification and message recording are performed independently, initially the caller need merely be requested to identify himself (rather than requested to leave a message). Akin to the request to identify himself, the caller inherently understands that a response is likely required for the call to go through. Therefore, the caller is greatly more compelled to supply a response than is the case with answering machines.  
         [0027]    Further, because the functions of caller identification and message recording are performed independently, the present invention eliminates the previously discussed “abrupt/rude cut-in to the caller&#39;s leaving of a message” associated with answering machines. The present invention lends a smooth continuity whereby the caller provides the information requested and waits for the user to answer. If and when the user does answers, the conversation can then comfortably begin with the customary opening pleasantries.  
         [0028]    The present invention pertains to telephone calls. Accordingly, a general description of telephone service is appropriate for this discussion. For decades, telephone service in the U.S. was provided by an entity commonly known as “the phone company”, “Ma Bell” and “AT&amp;T”. Deregulation broke up the giant telephone service provider into a network of service providers now commonly referred to as “the baby bells”. For this discussion, the present-day network of service providers including the circuitry they employ is referred to as a telephone service provider.  
         [0029]    One example of circuitry which can be employed by a service provider  121  in the routing of a telephone call is shown in FIG. 11. An example of operation of the circuitry example shown will now be given. The caller places a call from the caller&#39;s phone  122 . That call is received at local switching station  120   a , sent over long distance network  124  and received at local switching station  120 . Station  120  then rings the user&#39;s telephone  27 . If telephone  27  is answered, station  120  then communicably connects phone  122  with phone  27 .  
         [0030]    Examples of the present invention, referred to herein as telephone call information delivery system  10 , are illustrated in the accompanying FIGS. 1 a  through  11 . Information delivery system  10   a  through  10   q  can reside with and as the property of the telephone user as illustrated in FIGS. 1 a  through  9 . Alternately, information delivery system  10   r  lends benefit to the user but resides with and as the property of telephone service provider  121  (shown in FIG. 11). Accordingly, the benefits of system  10   r  are then provided as a service to the user by provider  121 . (Delivery system  10   r  comprises substantially different circuitry than the examples of system  10   a  through  10   q  shown in FIGS. 1 a  through  9 .)  
         [0031]    Information delivery system  10   a  through  10   q  as shown in FIGS. 1 a  through  9  employs an answering circuitry  20  and an information signal provider  30 . Information delivery system  10  can also employ these components discussed later-on: a post-delivery recorder  50  (FIG. 1 c ), an alert signal provider  70  (FIG. 2 a ), an information recorder  410  (FIG. 2 b ), an activator  75  (FIG. 3 a ), an initiator  85  (FIG. 4 a ), a delay  120  (FIG. 5), a repeater  130  (FIG. 6), a stopper  195  (FIG. 8) and an enabler  190  (FIG. 9).  
         [0032]    Answering circuitry  20  (FIGS. 1 a  through  10   a ) functions to answer a telephone call incoming from a telephone service provider  121  and to attain information input by the caller. Circuitry providing this same functionality is presently employed in common-day telephone call directing systems and also in common-day telephone answering systems. In other words, the circuitry and functionality of circuitry  20  is well known. (Circuitry like circuitry  20  functions in a telephone call directing system to answer a telephone call incoming from a telephone service provider and to attain information input by the caller. The information attained identifies to the system whom the caller desires to speak with. Accordingly, the system then connects the incoming line (caller) with a telephone line of a telephone used by the identified party. The system then rings that telephone. Circuitry like circuitry  20  functions likewise in an answering machine, that is, to answer a telephone call incoming from a service provider and to attain information input by the caller. The answering machine merely passes that information along live to a loudspeaker to be heard by the user for call screening purposes. At the same time the answering machine also records the information.)  
         [0033]    An example of answering circuitry  20  is shown in FIG. 10. The circuitry  20  shown provides the above-described functionality common to this invention, call directing systems and also answering machines. In the example of FIG. 10, circuitry  20  is shown functional interactive with the common-day incoming telephone call transmitted over a common-day telephone line  11  from a common-day switching station  120 .  
         [0034]    The answering circuitry  20  of FIG. 10 employs an incoming call detector  12 , an interface  17 , an out-going message sender  16  and an incoming information receiver  18 . (Call detector  12  and interface  17  function in combination to answer a telephone call incoming from service provider  121 . Receiver  18 , by itself or in combination with out-going message sender  16 , functions to attain information input by a caller.)  
         [0035]    Incoming call detector  12  functions to detect a telephone call incoming from service provider  121 . Detector  12  employs a ring detector circuit  13 . Ring detector  13  is electrically connected to telephone line  11  and senses the presence of an incoming ring signal. The ring signal is of common fashion sent by switching station  120 .  
         [0036]    Interface  17  functions to control connection and release operations relative to line  11 . Interface  17  is electrically connected to line  11  and, responsive to input, simulates a telephone off-hook condition. The simulated off-hook condition is detected by switching station  120  which responds by discontinuing the sending of the ring signal, by discontinuing a ring sound signal sent to the caller&#39;s telephone and by connecting the incoming call with telephone line  11 . (As part of the functioning of circuitry  20 , interface  17  can optionally be configured to connect and disconnect two-way communication between telephone  27  and an incoming call. The two-way communication pathway can be disconnected in the case where signals sent from system  10  to telephone  27  (via line  11   a ) and from telephone  27  to system  10  are desired not to travel back to the caller&#39;s telephone or the service provider.)  
         [0037]    Out-going message sender  16  functions to elicit information from the caller. Sender  16  is electrically connected to telephone line  11  and sends a recorded message to line  11  and, thus, ultimately to the caller. (For many embodiments of delivery system  10 , the recorded message can constitute a request to the caller to identify himself. It is not unfathomable that in future years, the popularity of information delivery system  10  could become so great that the described answering of the call and subsequent discontinuing of the sending of the ring sound to the caller will suffice for the caller to understand to identify himself. Therefore, the services of message sender  16  are not necessarily essential to circuitry  20  of FIG. 10.)  
         [0038]    Incoming information receiver  18  functions to receive information and, in some cases, additionally functions to convert that information into a form understandable/usable to system  10 . Receiver  18  is electrically connected to line  11  and receives signal information therefrom. Information received by receiver  18  (and converted to a usable form if necessary) is herein considered as attained information. Receiver  18  functions to attain information in the form of at least one of: decoded touchtone information  19 , recognized voice information  231  and voice information  289 . (Receiver  18  can be configured so that the period of time delay is pre-programmed or configured so the period can be set by the user.)  
         [0039]    Decoded touchtone information  19  originates from the caller depressing one or more touchtone keys on the touchtone telephone he is calling from. A coded signal generated by each depressed key is received from line  11  by receiver  18 . Receiver  18  then functions to decode the signal in order that the system will know what touchtone key(s) was in fact depressed by the caller. (While receiver  18  functions to attain information in the form of, for example, decoded touchtone information  19 , the essence of the information attained is, for example, that the caller wishes to speak with the user represented by the key depressed. Touchtone decoding is commonplace technology. For example, one embodiment of the prior described commonplace telephone call directing system can ask the caller, “To speak with John Jeffers push one, to speak with Paul Bunyon push two” and so on. The system then receives and decodes the associated coded signals. The decoded touchtone information then serves to instruct the system as to which telephone to connect to and ring in order to reach the desired user.)  
         [0040]    Recognized voice information  231  originates with the caller speaking into the microphone of the telephone he is calling from. Audio signals representing the speaking are generated and subsequently received from line  11  by receiver  18 . Receiver  18  then functions to employ voice recognition so that the system can then understand/use the information. (Voice recognition, particularly mere recognition of the numbers zero through nine is commonplace technology. For example, an embodiment of the prior described commonplace telephone call directing system can ask the caller, “To speak with John Jeffers say one, to speak with Paul Bunyon say two” and so on. The system then receives the audio signals generated when whatever number is spoken by the caller and proceeds to recognize what number was in fact spoken. The recognized voice number serves to instruct the system as to which telephone to connect to and ring in order to reach the desired user.)  
         [0041]    Voice information  289  originates with the caller speaking into the microphone of the telephone he is calling from. Audio signals representing the speaking are generated and subsequently received from line  11  by receiver  18 . Receiver  18  then forwards the audio signals for eventual delivery in some form to the user by system  10 . (Receiving and forwarding voice information is commonplace technology. For example, an embodiment of the prior described telephone answering machine can ask the caller, “Please leave a message”. The machine then receives the audio signals generated by the speaking of the caller and forwards them along to a loudspeaker so that the speaking can be heard by the user. Also, circuitry  20  can be configured to monitor recognized voice information  231  and voice information  289  when received. If no information is left or the left information is unclear, circuitry  20  can, for example, again elicit information from the caller, or other.)  
         [0042]    An example of operation of the example of circuitry  20  shown in FIG. 10 will now be given. Operation begins when the ring signal of an incoming call is detected by ring detector  13 . Call detector  12  responds by signaling interface  17 . Interface  17  responds by simulating an off- hook condition. Consequently, answering circuitry  20  has accomplished, “Answering a telephone call incoming from a telephone service provider”.  
         [0043]    Further in response to the detected ring signal, call detector  12  signals message sender  16 . Sender  16  responds by sending a recorded message to the caller such as, “To reach Graydon press one, to reach Mathew press two, to reach Adam press three, to reach Bertha press four”. The caller responds to the message by depressing the touchtone key associated with the party he desires to speak with. The resulting coded touchtone signal is received by information receiver  18  and decoded. The resulting attained information in the form of decoded touchtone information  19  is forwarded to information signal provider  30  (provider  30  shown in FIGS. 1 a  through  10   a ). Consequently, answering circuitry  20  has accomplished, “attaining information input by the caller”.  
         [0044]    The example of circuitry  20  in FIG. 10 also functions to reset the system in anticipation of answering the next incoming call. (Telephone call directing systems and telephone answering machines are devised to be able to accommodate the next incoming call, i.e. system reset is well known.) An example of system reset will now be given. Circuitry  20  resets the system upon detecting an answering of the incoming call by the user. The answering is detected by interface  17  detecting the off-hook condition resultant from the answering at telephone  27  (telephone  27  shown in FIGS. 1 a  through  9 ). Upon detecting the off-hook condition, interface  17  discontinues the simulating of an off-hook condition. (Depending upon the embodiment of system  10 , interface  17  can additionally respond by signaling provider  30  which discontinues sending signals to information deliverer  300 , by signaling provider  70  which discontinues sending signals to alert  250 , or other. Alternately, when telephone  27  is taken off-hook, phone  27  is devised to disconnect deliverer  300  and alert  250 .) As another example of resetting system  10 , circuitry  20  resets the system in the same fashion except this time in response to a hang-up of the caller&#39;s telephone.  
         [0045]    A second example of answering circuitry is shown as answering circuitry  20   a  in FIG. 10 a . Like circuitry  20 , circuitry  20   a  also functions to answer a telephone call incoming from service provider  121  and to attain information input by a caller. However, circuitry  20   a  performs the described functions absent employment of the incoming call detector  12  of circuitry  20 . In other words, circuitry  20  is operable responsive to a telephone call incoming from service provider  121 , while circuitry  20   a  is not. Instead, circuitry  20   a  is operable responsive to an initiator  85 . Initiator  85  receives instruction from the user. Upon receiving such instruction, initiator  85  signals circuitry  20   a . In response, circuitry  20   a  then operates in a manner identical to that described for circuitry  20  after circuitry  20  has detected an incoming call. (The functionality of circuitry  20   a  is further discussed later-on during the discussion of the embodiments of system  10  shown in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b .)  
         [0046]    Information delivery system  10  includes information signal provider  30  (FIGS. 1 a  through  10   a ). Provider  30  functions to provide at least one signal to operate an information deliverer  300  to deliver at least some of the information attained by answering circuitry  20  to a user. Signal provider  30  is forwarded from circuitry  20  one or more of the described forms of attained information: decoded touchtone information  19 , recognized voice information  231  or voice information  289 . In response, provider  30  provides a signal representative of at least some of the attained information. Information signal provider  30  can be configured to provide any of: a prescribed ring signal  232  (FIG. 1 a ), a prescribed audio signal  291  (FIG. 1 b ), a composed audio signal  233  (FIG. 1 d ), a display signal  235  (FIG. 2 c ) or a live audio signal  234  (FIG. 2 d ). (Signal provider  30  can be comprised of common-day electrical components such as a microprocessor and memory available to the microprocessor, or other.)  
         [0047]    An example of prescribed ring signal  232  (FIG. 1 a ) will now be given. Ring signal  232  is configured as a pulse sequence, signal  232  being stored by provider  30 . In this example, provider  30  has six such ring signals  232  stored, each one unique from the others. Each unique ring signal  232  is then provided by provider  30  in response to attained information from circuitry  20  indicating that a particular one of six touchtone keys has been depressed by a caller. An example of system operation employing the example of ring signal  232  will be given later-on during the discussion of the embodiment of FIG. 1 a.    
         [0048]    An example of prescribed audio signal  291  (FIG. 1 b ) will now be given. Signal  291  is an audio signal stored by provider  30 . In this example, provider  30  has six such audio signals stored, each one unique from the others. Each unique signal  291  is then provided by provider  30  in response to attained information from circuitry  20  indicating that a particular one of six touchtone keys has been depressed by a caller. An example of operation employing the example of prescribed audio signal  291  will be given later-on during the discussion of the embodiment of FIG. 1 b.    
         [0049]    An example of composed audio signal  233  (FIG. 1 d ) will now be given. Signal  233  is composed by provider  30  employing voice information  289  attained by and forwarded from answering circuitry  20 . For this example, the voice information  289  represents the name of the caller, for this example “Graydon Johnson”. The resultant signal  233  sent from provider  30 , when operating a loudspeaker  99 , produces the sound “Graydon Johnson”, followed by a pause, the sound “Graydon Johnson”, followed by a pause, and so on. The pause can be, for example, one second in duration. (Signal information which generates sound when operating loudspeaker  99  can be composed in with information  289  in place of the pause, i.e. door bell sound, cow moo sound, ring sound or other. Loudspeaker  99  constitutes one form of information deliverer  300 . System  10  can include a volume control  211 , FIG. 2 b , configured to enable a user to adjust the volume of audio information delivered. System  10  can also include circuitry to homogenize the volume of audio information delivered to compensate for varying loudness of voice from the caller.)  
         [0050]    As another example of composed audio signal  233  (FIG. 2 a ), signal  233  is configured by provider  30  employing voice information  289  received and forwarded by answering circuitry  20 . The voice information  289  is stored by provider  30  for a specified length of time. After the specified length of time elapses, provider  30  sends the voice information  289 , now described herein as composed audio signal  233 , to a telephone receiver  78 . For instance, provider  30  can be forwarded from circuitry  20  voice information  289  representative of “Graydon Johnson”. After the storage period elapses, the composed audio signal  233  representative of “Graydon Johnson” is sent to telephone receiver  78  and operates receiver  78  to produce the sound “Graydon Johnson”. (Telephone receiver  78  constitutes one form of an information deliverer  300 . Receiver  78  can also comprise a speaker with the same broadcasting characteristics of receiver  78  but does not also function as a telephone receiver.)  
         [0051]    An example of display signal  235  (FIG. 2 c ) will now be given. Decoded touchtone information  19  (or recognized voice information  231 ) is attained by circuitry  20  and forwarded to provider  30 . Information  19  instructs provider  30  to release a stored display signal  235 , the signal  235  being representative of the person desired by the caller. Signal  235  is sent to display  230 . Signal  235  causes the name of the person desired by the caller to be written on display  230 . (Display  235  constitutes one form of information deliverer.)  
         [0052]    As another example of display signal  235 , voice information  289  is attained by circuitry  20  and forwarded to provider  30 . Provider  30  then employs voice recognition to convert information  289  into display signal  235 . Display signal  235  is then sent to display  230 . If the voice information  289  represents “Graydon Johnson”, signal  235  will cause “Graydon Johnson” to be written on display  230 .  
         [0053]    An example of live audio signal  234  (FIG. 2 c ) will now be given. Voice information  289  is attained by circuitry  20  and forwarded to provider  30 . Provider  30  then forwards that signal, now herein described as live audio signal  234 , to operate loudspeaker  99 . In other words, the voice information  289  is delivered “live” to the user.  
         [0054]    Additionally, provider  30  can provide synthesized voice  298  (FIG. 2 b ). As an example, voice information  289  is forwarded to provider  30  from circuitry  20 . Provider  30  then employs voice recognition to convert information  289  into synthesized voice information  298 . The synthesized voice  298  is employed by provider  30  in the place of voice information  289  in the composing of composed audio signal  233 . In any embodiment of system  10  where composed audio signal  233  is employed, provider  30  can employ synthesized voice  298  in place of voice information  289  when composing signal  233  (FIGS. 1 d ,  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a ,  5  and  9 ).  
         [0055]    A first preferred embodiment of information delivery system  10  is shown iin FIGS. 1 a ,  1   b ,  1   c  and  1   d . This first preferred embodiment employs answering circuitry  20  (FIG. 10) to answer a telephone call incoming from telephone service provider  121  and to attain information input by a caller. This embodiment also employs information signal provider  30  to provide at least one signal to operate an information deliverer  300  to deliver at least some of the information attained by circuitry  20  to a user. (This first preferred embodiment can additionally employ post-delivery recorder  50 , FIG. 1 c ; alert signal provider  70 , FIG. 2 a ; information recorder, FIG. 2 b ; activator  75 , FIG. 3 a ; initiator  85 , FIG. 4 a ; delay  205 , FIG. 5; stopper  195 , FIG. 8; and enabler  195 , FIG. 9.)  
         [0056]    A first example of this first preferred embodiment is illustrated as system  10   a  in FIG. 1 a . As shown, circuitry  20  of this example is configured to attain one or both of decoded touchtone information  19  or recognized voice information  231 . (Alternately, circuitry  20  can be configured to attain only information  19  or only information  231 .) As shown, provider  30  of this example is configured to provide prescribed ring signal  232 .  
         [0057]    An example of system operation of this first example of this first preferred embodiment will now be given. Operation begins when an incoming call is detected by answering circuitry  20 . Circuitry  20  answers the call and a message such as, “Welcome to the Johnson&#39;s, to reach Mathew press or say one, to reach Adam press or say two, to reach Graydon press or say three, to reach Bertha press or say four” is sent by circuitry  20  to the caller. The caller responds by, for example, depressing the key numbered “4” on the touchtone keypad of the telephone he is calling from. Depressing key “4” generates a coded signal representing that key which is sent to and received by circuitry  20 . Upon receiving the coded signal, circuitry  20  decodes the signal and, consequently, has attained information in the form of decoded touchtone information  19 . Information  19  is then sent to information signal provider  30 .  
         [0058]    The decoded touchtone information  19  instructs provider  30  that the caller has depressed touchtone key “4”. In response, provider  30  provides a prescribed ring signal  232  associated with key “4”. Ring signal  232  is sent to and, in this example, operates ringer  25  which emits a telephone ring having a ring cadence identifiable by the system users as representative of choice “4”. The system users thus understand that the caller desires to speak with Bertha. Users who aren&#39;t Bertha likely choose not to be bothered answering the call and not to intrude into Bertha&#39;s private affairs. If the user is Bertha, she understands the call is for her and can answer. Upon a user answering telephone  27  or the caller hanging up, circuitry  20  resets the system.  
         [0059]    A second example of this first preferred embodiment is shown as system  10   b  in FIG. 1 b . As shown, circuitry  20  of this example is configured to attain one or both of decoded touchtone information  19  or recognized voice information  231 . (Alternately, circuitry  20  can be configured to attain only information  19  or only information  231 .) As shown, provider  30  of this example is configured to provide prescribed audio signal  291 .  
         [0060]    An example of system operation of this second example of this first preferred embodiment will now be described. Operation begins when an incoming call is detected by answering circuitry  20 . Circuitry  20  answers the call and sends a message such as, “Welcome to the Johnson&#39;s, to reach Mathew press or say one, to reach Adam press or say two, to reach Graydon press or say three, to reach Bertha press or say four” is sent by circuitry  20  to the caller. The caller responds by, for example, saying “1” into the microphone of the telephone he is calling from. Saying “1” into the microphone generates an audio signal which is sent to and received by circuitry  20 . Upon receiving the signal, circuitry  20  employs voice recognition to achieve attained information in the form of recognized voice information  231 . Information  231  is then sent to information signal provider  30 .  
         [0061]    The recognized voice information  231  instructs provider  30  that the caller has said “1”. Provider  30  responds to the instruction by providing a prescribed audio signal  291  associated with “1”. Audio signal  291  is sent to and operates loudspeaker  99  and, for this example, the sound “Mathew” is broadcast from loudspeaker  99 . System users upon hearing “Mathew” understand that the caller desires to speak with Mathew. Users who aren&#39;t Mathew need not bother answering. Mathew understands the call is for him and can answer. Upon a user answering telephone  27  or the caller hanging up, circuitry  20  resets the system.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 1 c  illustrates a variation of the second example of this first preferred embodiment (FIG. 1 b ). Shown as delivery system  10   c , the embodiment of the second example is configured with additional components which serve to enhance the embodiment, including: a post-delivery recorder  50 , a sound selector  90  and a party selector  80 . (These components can likewise be employed to enhance other embodiments and examples of the present invention.)  
         [0063]    Post-delivery recorder  50  functions to record a post-delivery message from a caller. The recorded information can then be played back to the user. Post-delivery recorder  50  can employ separate message boxes  299 . Boxes  299  function to store a message or messages specific to each user separate from messages specific to the other users. Each of boxes  299  can include means to send a personalized message to the caller, the message typically to request the caller to leave a message for that specific user. (Post-delivery recorder  50  can comprise hardware like that employed by common-day answering machines to record a message from a caller. However, answering machines function to record what is described herein as voice information  289 . Post-delivery recorder  50  records information input by a caller subsequent to previous input by the caller of attained information such as voice information  289 . Boxes  299  also can comprise hardware like that employed by common-day answering machines. Also, recorder  50  can be configured to provide for listening to the caller by the user while the caller leaves his message.)  
         [0064]    An example of operation of the second example of this first preferred embodiment, when enhanced with post-delivery recorder  50 , will now be given. In this example, provider  30  has received attained information from receiver  20  indicating that the caller wishes to speak with the user represented by number “1”. In response, provider  30  has provided a prescribed audio signal  291  provider  30  associates with “1”. Audio signal  291  has been sent to and has operated loudspeaker  99  which emitted the sound “Mathew”. Subsequently, no one has answered the call within a specified amount of time. Consequently, as part of post-delivery recorder  50 , the caller is sent a personalized message associated with a message box of message boxes  299  configured to receive messages for user “1”. The message states, for example, “I can&#39;t find Mathew, please leave him a message.” The caller can then leave a message for Mathew which will be recorded by recorder  50  (and stored in box number “1”, for example, of message boxes  299 ). (If recorder  50  does not include boxes  299 , the message from the caller can be simply stored in a compartment common to all users. If system  10  does not include recorder  50 , system  10  can instead be configured to send the caller a message such as “Nobody&#39;s home” after the described specified amount of time. Also, the specified amount of time can be pre-programmed into the system or can be set by the user.)  
         [0065]    As another example of operation of recorder  50 , the initial message sent from answering circuitry  20  can state, “Welcome to the Johnson&#39;s, to reach Mathew press or say one, to reach Adam press or say two, to reach Graydon press or say three, to reach Bertha press or say four. If the person you desire does not answer, feel free to leave them a message after the beep.” When no one answers the call within a specified time, a beep sound is sent to the caller and the caller can then leave a message. Because the caller has already indicated he desires to speak with, for example, user “1”, the message is accordingly and preferably stored in box number 1. (If recorder  50  does not include boxes  299 , the message from the caller can be stored in a compartment common to all users.)  
         [0066]    Sound selector  90  functions to enable the user to select a sound to represent himself. Selector  90  can comprise a microprocessor with available storage, or other similar devices. (Selector  90 , shown as being located at provider  30 , can be located elsewhere to equal effect.)  
         [0067]    An example of the operation of selector  90  will now be given. A multitude of prescribed audio signals  291  (or prescribed ring signals  232  when selector  90  is employed with the embodiment of FIG. 1 a ) have been stored in selector  90 . Each of the stored signals  291  will, upon operating loudspeaker  99 , generate a sound distinguishable from the other sounds generated from the other signals stored. Selector  90  is configured to enable a user to scroll through the possible sounds available and choose a sound to represent himself. Upon the user choosing a sound, provider  30  will then provide a prescribed audio signal  291  which when operating loudspeaker  99  will generate that sound. In other words, for example, when information attained from the caller indicates that the caller wishes to speak with Mathew, and Mathew has chosen from selector  90  the repeating sound of a steam whistle, for example, to represent himself, then provider  30  will provide in a repeating fashion the signal  291  representative of the steam whistle. That signal is sent to loudspeaker  99 . Consequently, a repeating steam whistle sound is broadcast out of loudspeaker  99 .  
         [0068]    Selector  90  can include a backfeed  91 . Backfeed  91  functions to provide a signal to deliver a sound to the caller. For example, the signal sent can be representative of the sound chosen by the user. In other words, if a repeating pig squeel is being broadcast from speaker  99  to alert the user, the caller will also hear the repeating pig squeel out of his telephone receiver.  
         [0069]    Party selector  80  functions to govern at least one signal provided by provider  30  or to govern the providing of a signal by provider  30 . The example of party selector  80  shown includes a selector switch  93 . Switch  93  can be a rotary switch with numbered positions. (Selector  80 , shown located at provider  30 , can be located elsewhere to equal effect, including, for example, at communication device  60 .)  
         [0070]    An example of operation of the example of party selector  80  shown will now be given. In this example, a user is remote from other users and only wishes to be disturbed by calls specifically directed (by the caller) to him. The user turns selector switch  93  so that the pointer points to the system number which designates him (for example, to reach Mathew press “1”, wherein one is the system number representing Mathew). Selector switch  93  allows the prescribed audio signal  291  (or prescribed ring signal  232  if employed by the embodiment of FIG. 1 a ) associated with that system number to pass from provider  30  through switch  93  to loudspeaker  99 . Consequently, only the signal representative of a call directed to him will be allowed through switch  93  to then broadcast the sound representing him out of loudspeaker  99 . If switch  93  points to all, all signals are allowed to pass through. If switch  93  points to zero, no signals are allowed to pass through.  
         [0071]    A third example of this first preferred embodiment is shown as delivery system  10   d  in FIG. 1 d . As shown, circuitry  20  of this example has been configured to attain voice information  289 . As shown, provider  30  of this example is configured to provide composed audio signal  233 .  
         [0072]    An example of system operation of this third example of this first preferred embodiment will now be given. Operation begins when an incoming call is detected by answering circuitry  20 . Circuitry  20  answers the call and the message, “Whom can I say is calling” (for example) is sent by circuitry  20  to the caller. The caller may respond by saying “Rob Thomas” into the microphone of the telephone he is calling from. Saying “Rob Thomas” into the microphone generates an audio signal which is sent to and attained by circuitry  20  in the form of voice information  289 . Information  289  is then sent to signal provider  30 .  
         [0073]    Provider  30  employs the information  289  in the composing of a signal that repeats itself. The result is a composed audio signal  233  which when operating loudspeaker  99  produces, in this example, the sound “Rob Thomas”, followed by a pause, “Rob Thomas” followed by a pause, and so on. The pause can be three seconds in duration, for example. The user can contemplate whether he desires to speak with Rob and answer the call or not. (Upon a user answering telephone  27  or the caller hanging up, circuitry  20  resets the system.)  
         [0074]    This third example of the first preferred embodiment can also be enhanced with the addition of post-delivery recorder  50  (FIG. 1 c ). As an example of operation, if the user does not answer within a specified time, the caller is sent a message such as, “Please leave a message.” The message can then be recorded by recorder  50 . (Recorder  50  can alternately include separate message boxes  299 . Accordingly, as part of the caller being asked to leave a message, the caller can also be asked to indicate whom they desire to leave the message for and the message can then be stored in a separate message box  299  specific to that desired person. Also, delivery system  10  can be configured such that two embodiments can be operational simultaneously. For example, systems  10   a  and  10   d  can be operated simultaneously providing the combined benefits of both systems.) In summary, the examples of the first preferred embodiment of delivery system  10  (FIGS. 1 a  through  1   d ) operate by: Step(1) Answering a telephone call incoming from a service provider; Step(2) Attaining information input by a caller (attaining information in the form of at least one of: decoded touchtone information  19 , recognized voice information  231  or voice information  289 ); Step(3) Providing at least one signal to operate an information deliverer to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user (providing at least one of: prescribed ring signal  232 , prescribed audio signal  291  or composed audio signal  233 ).  
         [0075]    As previously suggested, system  10  can alternately be configured to reside at service provider  121  (an example is shown as system  10   r  in FIG. 11). When configured to reside at provider  121 , the first preferred embodiment operates differently than the examples of FIGS. 1 a  through  1   d . While the systems of FIGS. 10 a  through  10   d  operate by answering a telephone call incoming from service provider  121 , the first preferred embodiment when located at provider  121  operates by intercepting a telephone call when en route through service provider  121 . Accordingly, the first preferred embodiment when configured to reside at provider  121  can operate as previously described with the exception that Step(1) instead constitutes: Intercepting a call when en route through a service provider.  
         [0076]    A second preferred embodiment of information delivery system  10  is illustrated in FIGS. 2 a ,  2   b ,  2   c  and  2   d . This second preferred embodiment employs answering circuitry  20  and information signal provider  30 . Additionally, this embodiment employs alert signal provider  70 . (This second preferred embodiment can additionally employ post-delivery recorder  50 , FIG. 1 c ; activator  75 , FIG. 3 a ; initiator  85 , FIG. 4 a ; delay  205 , FIG. 5; repeater  130 , FIG. 6; stopper  195 , FIG. 8; and enabler  195 , FIG. 9.)  
         [0077]    Alert signal provider  70  functions to provide at least one signal to operate an alert  250  to alert a user of the system regarding a telephone call. As shown (FIGS. 2 a  through  2   d ), provider  70  is preferably electrically connected to line  11   a  and is configured to send a signal via line  11   a  to reach and operate alert  250 . Alert  250 , shown located on telephone  27  as loudspeaker  99 , can alternately comprise ringer  25 , a vibrator alert  251  (common to cellular phones), a light, or other similar devices. The signal from provider  70  can operate alert  250  in a repeating fashion such as the common-day ring cadence exhibited by common-day telephones, can operate alert  250  in a constant fashion, can simply activate alert  250 , or other.  
         [0078]    A first example of this second preferred embodiment is shown as system  10   e  in FIG. 2 a . As shown, circuitry  20  of this example is configured to attain voice information  289 . As shown, provider  30  of this example is configured to provide composed audio signal  233 .  
         [0079]    A first example of system operation of this first example of this second preferred embodiment will now be given. Operation begins when an incoming call is detected and, subsequently, answered by answering circuitry  20 . The message, “This is Suzy, who&#39;s calling?”, for example, is sent by circuitry  20  to the caller. The caller responds by speaking his name (“John Doggit”, for example) into the microphone of the telephone he is calling from. The caller&#39;s response is attained by circuitry  20  in the form of voice information  289 . Circuitry  20  forwards the attained information  289  to signal provider  30 .  
         [0080]    Upon receipt, provider  30  employs the information  289  in the composing of composed audio signal  233 . Composed audio signal  233  is then sent to operate loudspeaker  99 . (Signal  233  can additionally or alternately be sent to operate telephone receiver  78  FIG. 4 a .)  
         [0081]    Coinciding with provider  30  sending the exemplary signal  233  representative of “John Doggit”, provider  30  signals alert signal provider  70 . Signal provider  70  responds by providing a signal which operates alert  250  (for this example loudspeaker  99 ) to broadcast an alert sound. The signal from provider  70  is coordinated with the exemplary “John Doggit” signal information sent by provider  30  such that the combined result when broadcast from speaker  99  is “John Doggit” (from provider  30 ) followed by a pause, a ring cadence (from provider  70 ), followed by a pause, “John Doggit” followed by the pause, the ring cadence, and so on. For example, the pause can be one second in duration, and the ring cadence can be two seconds in duration (Upon a user answering telephone  27  or caller hang-up, system  10  resets.)  
         [0082]    A second example of operation of this first example of this second preferred embodiment will now be given. Operation begins when an incoming call is detected and answered by answering circuitry  20 . The message, “This is Suzy, whom can I say is calling?”, for example, is sent by circuitry  20  to the caller. The caller responds by speaking his name (“Al Heck”, for example) into the microphone of the telephone he is calling from. The caller&#39;s response is attained in the form of voice information  289  by circuitry  20 . Subsequently, circuitry  20  forwards information  289  to information signal provider  30 . Upon receipt, provider  30  stores information  289  as composed audio signal  233 .  
         [0083]    Upon forwarding information  289 , circuitry  20  also signals alert signal provider  70 . Provider  70  responds by providing an alert signal which operates alert  250  (for this example loudspeaker  99 ) to broadcast an alert sound. The time period the signal is being sent by provider  70  is measured and after a prescribed length of time, say fifteen seconds, provider  70  discontinues providing the alert signal and signals provider  30 . Provider  30  responds by sending the composed audio signal  233  to operate loudspeaker  99 . Consequently, (subsequent to the prescribed length of time of alerting) loudspeaker  99  broadcasts, “Al Heck” (for example) followed by a pause, “Al Heck” followed by a pause, and so on. The pause can be, for example, two seconds in duration. (Signal  233  can additionally or alternately operate telephone receiver  78 . Upon a user answering telephone  27  or the caller hanging up, circuitry  20  resets the system.)  
         [0084]    Shown as system  10   f , FIG. 2 b  illustrates the first example of this second preferred embodiment (FIG. 2 a ) enhanced by the addition of an information recorder  410 . Recorder  410  functions to record voice information  289 . The recorded information can then be played back to the user at the user&#39;s convenience. Any of the embodiments of system  10  which attain voice information  289  (FIGS. 1 d  and  2   a  through  9 ) can be enhanced by the addition of recorder  410 . (Recorder  410  can comprise hardware like that employed by post-delivery recorder  50  or that employed by common-day answering machines. Both recorder  410  and answering machines function to record what is herein described as voice information  289 .)  
         [0085]    An example of operation of recorder  410  will now be given. Circuitry  20  answers an incoming call and sends a message asking the caller to state their name. The caller responds, for example, “Kraymer”. Simultaneous with the receipt of “Kraymer”, answering circuitry  20  forwards that attained voice information  289  to recorder  410  which records the information. Subsequently, system  10  continues on with the process of delivering the exemplary “Kraymer” information to the user. In this example, the user is not home to receive the “Kraymer” information. (Additionally, the system includes a post-delivery recorder  50  but the caller has elected not to leave a message.) Accordingly, in this example, the user (upon returning home) visits his directing system  10 . System  10  is providing an indication that recorder  410  has recorded information. The user can then prompt recorder  410  to play the recorded information and, thus, the user becomes informed that Kraymer called. (Recorder  410  can additionally supply information such as date and time. Attained voice information  289  can include the phone number of the caller which is then also recorded, or other. Recorder  410  can additionally mix the recorded voice information  289  with conventional Caller I.D. information.)  
         [0086]    [0086]FIG. 2 b  additionally illustrates the first example of this second preferred embodiment (FIG. 2 a ) with signal provider  30  employing synthesized voice  298 . An example of the first example of this second preferred embodiment employing synthesized voice  298  will now be given. Circuitry  20  answers an incoming call and sends a message asking the caller to state their name. The caller responds, for example, “Bozo the Clown”. That attained information in the form of voice information  289  is forwarded to provider  30  from circuitry  20 .  
         [0087]    Provider  30  then employs voice recognition to convert information  289  into synthesized voice information  298 . The synthesized voice  298  is then employed by provider  30  (in place of voice information  289 ) in the composing of composed audio signal  233 . Signal  233  is then sent to loudspeaker  99 .  
         [0088]    Coinciding with provider  30  sending the signal  233  representative of the synthesized exemplary “Bozo the Clown”, provider  30  signals alert signal provider  70 . Signal provider  70  responds by providing a signal which operates loudspeaker  99  to broadcast an alert sound. The signal from provider  70  is coordinated with the exemplary “Bozo the Clown” signal information sent by provider  30  such that the combined result when broadcast from speaker  99  is a synthesized “Bozo the Clown” followed by a pause, a ring cadence, followed by a pause, “Bozo the Clown” followed by the pause, the ring cadence, and so on. The pause can be, for example, one second in duration, and the ring cadence can be, for example, two seconds in duration. (Upon a user answering telephone  27  or caller hang-up, system  10  resets.)  
         [0089]    [0089]FIG. 2 b  additionally illustrates the first example of this second preferred embodiment (FIG. 2 a ) with signal provider  30  further configured to provide display signal  235  (in addition to composed audio signal  233 ).  
         [0090]    An example of the embodiment of FIG. 2 a  providing display signal  235  will now be given. The first and second examples of operation previously given for the first example of this second preferred embodiment remain as described. However, upon receipt of information  289 , provider  30  additionally employs voice recognition and converts information  289  into display signal  235 . Signal  235  is then sent to display  230 . If information  289  represents, for example, “Ross Doss”, “Ross Doss” will be displayed in writing on display  230  (in addition to being broadcast out of loudspeaker  99 ).  
         [0091]    .(For any of the embodiments of system  10  herein disclosed in which provider  30  provides at least one of prescribed ring signal  232 , prescribed audio signal  291 , composed audio signal  233  or live audio signal  234 , provider  30  can further be configured to additionally provide display signal  234 .  
         [0092]    A second example of this second preferred embodiment is shown as system  10   g  in FIG. 2 c . As shown, circuitry  20  of this example is configured to attain voice information  289 . As shown, provider  30  of this example is configured to provide display signal  235 .  
         [0093]    An example of system operation of this second example of this second preferred embodiment will now be given. Operation begins when an incoming call is detected and, subsequently, answered by answering circuitry  20 . Upon answering, circuitry  20  signals alert signal provider  70 . Provider  70  in turn provides a signal which operates vibratory alert  251 .  
         [0094]    Also upon answering, circuitry  20  sends to the caller a message such as, “This is Suzy, whom can I say is calling?”. The caller responds by speaking his name, for example, “Bad Ike” into the microphone of the telephone he calling from. The caller&#39;s response is attained by circuitry  20  in the form of voice information  289 . Circuitry  20  forwards the attained information  289  to signal provider  30 .  
         [0095]    Upon receipt, provider  30  employs voice recognition and converts information  289  into display signal  235 . Signal  235  is then sent to display  230  and at the same time alert provider  70  is signaled to discontinue the alert signal. The user, having been alerted as to the existence of an incoming call, can then read the exemplary displayed information “Bad Ike” from display  230  and decide whether to answer or not. (Upon a user answering telephone  27  or the caller hanging up, circuitry  20  resets the system.)  
         [0096]    For any of the embodiments of system  10  herein described in which system  10  includes alert signal provider  70  (FIGS. 2 a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  3   a  and  3   b ), provider  30  can be configured to provide display signal  235  in place of composed audio signal  233  or live audio signal  235 .. Alternately, when system  10  is configured such that the ring signal provided by service provider  121  is utilized (FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 ), the provider  30  can be configured to provide display signal  235  in place of composed audio signal  233 , or in place of live audio signal  234 .  
         [0097]    A third example of this second preferred embodiment is shown as system  10   h  in FIG. 2 d . As shown, circuitry  20  of this example is configured to attain voice information  289 . As shown, provider  30  of this example is configured to provide live audio signal  234 .  
         [0098]    A first example of system operation of this third example of this second preferred embodiment will now be given. Operation begins when an incoming call is detected and answered by answering circuitry  20 . Upon answering the call, circuitry  20  then signals signal provider  70 . Signal provider  70  responds by providing a signal which operates alert  250  (in this example, a vibrator alert  251 ), in which case alert  251  functions to alert the user by vibrating the telephone  27 .  
         [0099]    Also upon answering the call, circuitry  20  sends the exemplary message, “This is Suzy, who&#39;s calling?” to the caller. Upon completion of sending the message, circuitry  20  signals provider  70  to halt the operation of alert  251 . In response to the message, the caller speaks his name, for example, “John Watts” into the microphone of the telephone he is calling from. The caller&#39;s response is attained in the form of voice information  289  by circuitry  20 . Circuitry  20  forwards information  289  to information signal provider  30 . Signal provider  30  forwards information  289 , now constituting live audio signal  234 , to loudspeaker  99  (or telephone receiver  78 ). Consequently, loudspeaker  99  broadcasts, the exemplary message “John Watts”. The user can then consider the information and answer the call or not. (Upon a user answering telephone  27  or the caller hanging up, circuitry  20  resets the system. Alert  251  can additionally be provided concurrent with the broadcasting of the exemplary “John Watts” message.)  
         [0100]    A second example of system operation of this third example of this second preferred embodiment will now be given. Operation begins when an incoming call is detected and answered by answering circuitry  20 . Upon answering, circuitry  20  provides the caller with a message such as, “We&#39;ll be with you in a minute”. Also upon answering, circuitry  20  signals alert provider  70 . Provider  70  responds by providing an alert signal which operates alert  250  (for this example vibrator  251 ) to vibrate phone  27 .  
         [0101]    After a prescribed length of time, say fifteen seconds, provider  70  discontinues providing the alert signal and signals circuitry  20 . In response, the exemplary message, “This is Suzy, whom can I say is calling?” is sent by circuitry  20  to the caller. The caller responds by speaking his name, for example, “Bob White” into the microphone of the telephone he is calling from. The caller&#39;s response is attained in the form of voice information  289  by circuitry  20  and forwarded to information signal provider  30 . Provider  30  forwards information  289 , a live audio signal  234 , to operate loudspeaker  99 . Consequently, (subsequent to the alerting period) the exemplary information “Bob White” is broadcast live from speaker  99  and the user can then consider the information and decide whether or not to answer. (Signal  234  can additionally or alternately operate telephone receiver  78 . Upon a user answering telephone  27  or the caller hanging up, circuitry  20  resets the system.)  
         [0102]    In summary, the examples of the second preferred embodiment (FIGS. 2 a  through  2   d ) operate by: Step(1) Answering a telephone call incoming from a service provider (or, when configured to reside at service provider  121 : Intercepting a call from a caller to a user when en route through a service provider; Step(2) Attaining information input by a caller (attaining voice information  289 ); Step(3) Providing at least one signal to alert a user; and Step(4) Providing at least one signal to operate an information deliverer to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user (by providing at least one of: composed audio signal  233 , display signal  235  or live audio signal  234 ).  
         [0103]    A third preferred embodiment of information delivery system  10  is illustrated in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b . This third preferred embodiment employs answering circuitry  20 , information signal provider  30  and alert signal provider  70 . Additionally, this embodiment employs an activator  75 . (This third preferred embodiment can additionally employ post-delivery recorder  50 , FIG. 1 c ; information recorder  410 , FIG. 2 b ; initiator  85 , FIG. 4 a ; delay  205 , FIG. 5 a ; repeater  130 , FIG. 6; stopper  195 , FIG. 8; and enabler  195 , FIG. 9.)  
         [0104]    Activator  75  functions to receive instruction from a user to activate signal provider  30 . Activator  75  employs a user interface (U.I.)  77 . User interface  77  functions to receive instruction from a user. For example, the user provides the instruction to telephone  27 . Telephone  27  sends the instruction to interface  77  via line  11   a . (The instruction can be produced at telephone  27  in the form of a touchtone signal, an off-hook condition, a specialized control signal or other. Circuitry  20  disconnects line  11   a  from line  11  to prevent the touchtone signal from being heard at the caller&#39;s telephone or to prevent communicable connection between caller and user resulting from the off-hook condition.) Responsive to receiving the instruction, activator  75  signals information signal provider  30 . The signal activates provider  30  to deliver information attained (or to be attained) by circuitry  20  to information deliverer  300 .  
         [0105]    A first example of this third preferred embodiment is shown as system  10   i  in FIG. 3 a . As shown, circuitry  20  of this example is configured to attain voice information  289 . As shown, provider  30  of this example is configured to provide composed audio signal  233 .  
         [0106]    An example of system operation of this first example of this third preferred embodiment will now be given. System operation begins when an incoming call is detected and answered by answering circuitry  20 . A message, for example, “Who&#39;s calling?”, is sent by circuitry  20  to the caller. The caller responds by speaking his name, for example, “John Bloomenberg” into the microphone of the telephone he is calling from. The caller&#39;s response is attained as voice information  289  by circuitry  20  and forwarded to information signal provider  30 . Upon receipt, provider  30  stores information  289 .  
         [0107]    Upon attaining information  289 , circuitry  20  also signals alert signal provider  70 . Provider  70  responds by providing an alert signal which operates loudspeaker  99  to broadcast an alert sound. The user responds to the alert sound and pushes a control button  101  on telephone  27 . Button  101  sends a signal to user interface  77 . In response to the signal, activator  75  signals provider  30 . Provider  30  responds by signaling provider  70  which discontinues sending the alert signal. Provider  30  further responds by sending the stored information, now constituting composed audio signal  233 , to operate loudspeaker  99 . Consequently, the exemplary message “John Bloomenberg” is broadcast from speaker  99  and the user can then decide whether to answer the call or not. (Signal  233  can additionally or alternately operate telephone receiver  78 . As with all non-live audio information delivered, the stored information can alternately be delivered in a repeating fashion. Upon a user answering telephone  27  or the caller hanging up, circuitry  20  resets the system.)  
         [0108]    A second example of this third preferred embodiment is shown as system  10   j  in FIG. 3 b . As shown, circuitry  20  of this example is configured to attain voice information  289 . As shown, provider  30  of this example is configured to provide live audio signal  234 .  
         [0109]    An example of system operation of this second example of this third preferred embodiment will now be given. Answering circuitry  20  detects and answers an incoming call. Upon answering, circuitry  20  provides the caller with a message such as, “We&#39;ll be with you in a minute”. Upon answering, circuitry  20  also signals provider  70 . Provider  70  responds by providing an alert signal which operates loudspeaker  99  to broadcast an alert sound. The user responds to the alert sound and pushes control button  101  on telephone  27 . Button  101  sends a signal to interface  77 . In response, activator  75  signals provider  30 . Provider  30  responds by signaling provider  70 . Provider  70  responds by discontinuing providing the alert signal and signaling circuitry  20 . Circuitry  20  responds by sending a message such as, “This is Suzy, whom can I say is calling?”. The caller responds by speaking her name, for example “Mary Hoe” into the microphone of the telephone she is using. The caller&#39;s response is attained as voice information  289  by circuitry  20  and forwarded to in formation signal provider  30 . Provider  30  forwards information  289 , a live audio signal  234 , to operate loudspeaker  99 . Consequently, the exemplary information “Mary Hoe” is broadcast live from speaker  99 . (The information can additionally or alternately be broadcast from telephone receiver  78 . Upon a user answering telephone  27  or the caller hanging up, circuitry  20  resets the system.)  
         [0110]    In summary, the examples of the third preferred embodiment (FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b ) operate by: Step(1) Answering a telephone call incoming from a service provider (or, when configured to reside at service provider  121 : intercepting a call from a caller to a user when en route through a telephone service provider); Step(2) Attaining information input by a caller (attaining voice information  289 ); Step(3) Providing at least one signal to alert a user; Step(4) Receiving instruction from the user; and Step(5) Providing at least one signal in response to the instruction received to operate an information deliverer to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user (by providing at least one of: composed audio signal  233 , display signal  235  or live audio signal  234 ).  
         [0111]    A fourth preferred embodiment of information delivery system  10  is illustrated in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b . This fourth preferred embodiment employs answering circuitry  20   a  and information signal provider  30 . Additionally, this embodiment employs an initiator  85 . (This fourth preferred embodiment can additionally employ post-delivery recorder  50 , FIG. 1 c ; information recorder  410 , FIG. 2 b ; initiator  85 , FIG. 4 a ; delay  205 , FIG. 5 a ; repeater  130 , FIG. 6; stopper  195 , FIG. 8; and enabler  195 , FIG. 9.)  
         [0112]    Initiator  85  (FIG. 4 a ) functions to receive instruction from a user to initiate answering circuitry  20   a . Initiator  85  employs user interface (U.I.)  77 . User interface  77  functions to receive instruction from a user. For example, the user provides the instruction to telephone  27 . Telephone  27  sends the instruction to interface  77  via line  11   a . (The instruction can be produced at telephone  27  in the form of a touchtone signal, an off-hook condition, a specialized control signal or other. Circuitry  20   a  disconnects line  11   a  from the incoming call line  11  to prevent communicable connection between caller and user prior to information delivery.)  
         [0113]    A first example of this fourth preferred embodiment is shown as system  10   k  in FIG. 4 a . As shown, circuitry  20   a  of this example is configured to attain voice information  289 . As shown, provider  30  of this example is configured to provide composed audio signal  233 .  
         [0114]    An example of operation of this first example of this fourth preferred embodiment will now be given. A user&#39;s telephone is rung by the incoming ring signal provided by station  120  (FIG. 10 a ). The user responds to the ring by taking the telephone  27  “off the hook” (answering the phone). The off-hook condition of telephone  27  is detected by user interface  77 . In response, initiator  85  signals circuitry  20   a . Circuitry  20   a  responds by answering the incoming call and sending a message such as, “This is Suzy, whom can I say is calling?” to the caller. The caller responds by speaking his name, for example, “Terrible Tommy”, into the microphone of the telephone he is using. The caller&#39;s response is attained as voice information  289  and forwarded to signal provider  30 .  
         [0115]    Upon receipt, provider  30  configures information  289  into composed audio signal  233 . Provider  30  then sends signal  233  to operate telephone receiver  78  (or loudspeaker  99  or both). Consequently, the exemplary message “Terrible Tommy” followed by a pause, “Terrible Tommy” followed by a pause, and so on, is broadcast out of receiver  78 . The pause can be, for example, three seconds in duration. The user considers the information and decides to answer or not. (Upon a user answering telephone  27  or the caller hanging up, circuitry  20  resets the system.)  
         [0116]    A second example of this fourth preferred embodiment is shown as system  101  in FIG. 4 b . As shown, circuitry  20   a  of this example is configured to attain voice information  289 . As shown, provider  30  of this example is configured to provide live audio signal  234 .  
         [0117]    An example of operation of this second example of this fourth preferred embodiment will now be given. A user&#39;s telephone is rung by the incoming ring signal provided by station  120 . The user responds to the ring by taking the telephone  27  off-hook. The off-hook condition is detected at user interface  77 . In response, initiator  85  signals circuitry  20   a . Circuitry  20   a  responds by answering the incoming call and sending a message such as, “This is Suzy, whom can I say is calling?” to the caller. The caller responds by speaking his name, for example “Lucky Louie”, into the microphone of the telephone he is using. The caller&#39;s response is attained as voice information  289  and forwarded to signal provider  30 .  
         [0118]    Upon receipt, provider  30  forwards information  289 , now constituting live audio signal  234 , to operate telephone receiver  78  (or loudspeaker  99  or both). The user hears the exemplary “Lucky Louie” and answers or not. (The system then resets.) In summary, the examples of the fourth preferred embodiment (FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b ) operate by: Step(1) Receiving instruction from a user; Step(2) Answering a telephone call incoming from a service provider in response to the instruction received (or, when configured to reside at service provider  121 : intercepting a telephone call when en route through a service provider in response to the instruction received); Step(3) Attaining information input by a caller (attaining voice information  289 ); and Step(4) Providing at least one signal to operate an information deliverer to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user (by providing at least one of: composed audio signal  233 , display signal  235  or live audio signal  234 ).  
         [0119]    An example of a fifth preferred embodiment of information delivery system  10  is shown as system  10   m  in FIG. 5. This fifth preferred embodiment employs answering circuitry  20  and information signal provider  30 . Additionally, this embodiment employs delay  205 . (This fifth preferred embodiment can additionally employ post-delivery recorder  50 , FIG. 1 c ; information recorder  410 , FIG. 2 b ; activator  75 , FIG. 3 a ; initiator  85 , FIG. 4 a ; stopper  195 , FIG. 8; and enabler  190 , FIG. 9.)  
         [0120]    Delay  205  functions to delay answering circuitry  20 . Delaying circuitry  20  allows time for the ring signal sent by station  120  to ring the user&#39;s telephone. Consequently, the user can elect to answer the call or can wait for system  10  to answer and provide information from the caller. (Delay  205  can be configured so that the period of time delay is pre-programmed or configured so the period can be set by the user.)  
         [0121]    As shown for this fifth preferred embodiment, circuitry  20  is configured to attain voice information  289  and provider  30  is configured to provide composed audio signal  233 .  
         [0122]    An example of operation of this fifth preferred embodiment will now be given. System operation begins when an incoming call is detected by circuitry  20 . Circuitry  20  then signals delay  205 . In response, delay  205  implements a fifteen second time delay. When the time delay period has elapsed, delay  205  signals circuitry  20 . In response, circuitry  20  answers the call and sends the caller a message such as, “This is Suzy, whom can I say is calling?”. The caller responds by speaking his name, for example “Damion Dogbone”, into the microphone of the telephone he is calling from. The caller&#39;s response is attained as voice information  289  by circuitry  20  and forwarded to signal provider  30 .  
         [0123]    Upon receipt, provider  30  composes information  289  into composed audio signal  233 . Signal  233  is sent to and operates telephone receiver  78  (or loudspeaker  99  or both). Consequently, the exemplary “Damion Dogbone” followed by a pause, “Damion Dogbone” followed by a pause, and so on, is broadcast from receiver  78  for the user to hear. The pause can be, for example, two seconds in duration. The user considers the information and decides to answer or not. (Circuitry  20  resets the system.)  
         [0124]    In summary, the example of the fifth preferred embodiment of delivery system  10  (FIG. 5) operates by: Step(1) Delaying the answering of a telephone call incoming from a service provider (or, when configured to reside at service provider  121 : Delaying the intercepting of a telephone call when en route through a service provider); Step(2) Answering the telephone call (or, when configured to reside at service provider  121 : Intercepting the telephone call); Step(3) Attaining information input by a caller (attaining voice information  289 ); and Step(4) Providing at least one signal to operate an information deliverer to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user (by providing at least one of: composed audio signal  233  or display signal  235 ).  
         [0125]    An example of a sixth preferred embodiment of information delivery system  10  is shown as system  10   n  in FIG. 6. This sixth preferred embodiment employs answering circuitry  20 , signal provider  30  and delay  205 . Additionally, this embodiment employs repeater  130 . (This sixth preferred embodiment can additionally employ post-delivery recorder  50 , FIG. 1 c ; alert signal provider  70 , FIG. 2 a ; information recorder  410 , FIG. 2 b ; activator  75 , FIG. 3 a ; initiator  85 , FIG. 4 a ; stopper  195 , FIG. 8; and enabler  190 , FIG. 9.)  
         [0126]    Repeater  130  functions to prompt answering circuitry  20  to attain information from the caller a plurality of times. Repeater  130  can comprise a microprocessor with available memory, or other similar devices. . (Repeater  130  can be configured so that the number of times the circuitry  20  is prompted is pre-programmed or configured so the number of times can be set by the user.)  
         [0127]    As shown for this sixth preferred embodiment, circuitry  20  is configured to attain voice information  289  and provider  30  is configured to provide live audio signal  234 .  
         [0128]    An example of operation of this sixth preferred embodiment will now be given. System operation begins when an incoming call is detected by circuitry  20 . Circuitry  20  then signals delay  205 . In response, delay  205  implements a time delay. The time delay can be, for example, ten seconds in duration. When the time delay has elapsed, delay  205  signals circuitry  20 . Circuitry  20  responds by answering the call and sending the caller the message such as, “This is Suzy, who&#39;s calling?”. The caller responds by speaking his name, for example “Tommy Who”, into the microphone of the telephone he is using. The caller&#39;s response is attained as voice information  289  by circuitry  20  and forwarded to information signal provider  30 .  
         [0129]    Upon receipt, provider  30  forwards the information, now constituting live audio signal  234 , to operate loudspeaker  99 . Upon completion of forwarding the information to provider  30 , circuitry  20  signals repeater  130 . Repeater  130  responds by prompting circuitry  20  to again send the exemplary message, “This is Suzy, who&#39;s calling?”. Circuitry  20  again forwards the caller&#39;s response to provider  30  and, again, circuitry  20  signals repeater  130 . Repeater  130  again responds by prompting circuitry  20  which again sends the exemplary message, “This is Suzy, who&#39;s calling?”. This cycle continues until the user answers the call or the caller hangs up. Upon hearing the caller&#39;s response (e.g., “Tommy Who”), the user can decide whether to answer the call or not. Responsive to the answering or hang-up, the repeating operation of sending the caller the message is discontinued. (Circuitry  20  then resets the system.)  
         [0130]    In summary, the example of the sixth preferred embodiment of delivery system  10  (FIG. 6) operates by: Step(1) Delaying the answering of a telephone call incoming from a service provider (or, when configured to reside at service provider  121 : Delaying the interception of a telephone call when en route through a service provider); Step(2) Answering the telephone call (or, when configured to reside at service provider  121 : Intercepting the telephone call); Step(3) Attaining information input by a caller (attaining voice information  289 ); Step(4) Providing at least one signal to operate an information deliverer to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user (by providing live audio signal  234 ); and Step(5) Repeating the attaining of information and the providing of at least one signal.  
         [0131]    An example of a seventh preferred embodiment of information delivery system  10  is shown as system  10   o  in FIG. 7. This seventh preferred embodiment employs answering circuitry  20 , information signal provider  30  and delay  205  to delay answering circuitry  20 . Additionally, this embodiment employs post-delivery recorder  50  to record post-delivery information input by the caller. (Recorder  50 , shown in FIG. 1 c , has previously been discussed. This seventh preferred embodiment can additionally employ alert signal provider  70 , FIG. 2 a ; information recorder  410 , FIG. 2 b ; activator  75 , FIG. 3 a ; initiator  85 , FIG. 4 a ; stopper  195 , FIG. 8; repeater  130 , FIG. 6; and enabler  190 , FIG. 9.)  
         [0132]    As shown for this seventh preferred embodiment, circuitry  20  is configured to attain voice information  289  and provider  30  is configured to provide live audio signal  234 .  
         [0133]    An example of operation of this seventh preferred embodiment will now be given. System operation begins when an incoming call is detected by circuitry  20 . Circuitry  20  then signals delay  205 . Delay  205  responds by implementing a time delay. The time delay can be, for example, twenty seconds in duration. When the time delay has elapsed, delay  205  signals circuitry  20 . In response, circuitry  20  answers the call and sends the caller a message such as, “Who&#39;s calling please?”. The caller responds by speaking his name (for example, “Eternal Defunct”) into the microphone of the telephone he is calling from. The caller&#39;s response is attained as voice information  289  by circuitry  20  and forwarded to signal provider  30 .  
         [0134]    Upon receipt, provider  30  forwards information  289 , now constituting live audio signal  234 , to operate an information deliverer  300 . At this time, circuitry  20  also sends a signal to post-delivery recorder  50 . Recorder  50  times a predetermined duration, such as ten seconds, for example. When the predetermined duration has elapsed (with no answering by the user or hang-up by the caller) recorder  50  prompts circuitry  20 . In response, circuitry  20  sends a message to the caller, for example, “Please leave a message”. Recorder  50  then records any information left by the caller. (After the predetermined duration, recorder  50  also signals provider  30 . In response, provider  30  stops sending signal  234 . Subsequently, circuitry  20  resets the system.)  
         [0135]    In summary, the example of the seventh preferred embodiment of delivery system  10  (FIG. 7) operates by: Step(1) Delaying the answering of a telephone call incoming from a service provider (or, when configured to reside at service provider  121 : Delaying the interception of a telephone call when en route through a telephone service provider); Step(2) Answering the telephone call, (or, when configured to reside at service provider  121 : Intercepting the telephone call); Step(3) Attaining information input by a caller (attaining voice information  289 ); and Step(4) Providing at least one signal to operate an information deliverer to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user (by providing live audio signal  234 ); and Step(5) Recording a post-delivery message from the caller.  
         [0136]    An example of an eighth preferred embodiment of information delivery system  10  is shown as system  10   p  in FIG. 8. This eighth preferred embodiment employs answering circuitry  20 , information signal provider  30  and delay  205 . Additionally, this embodiment employs stopper  195 . (This eighth preferred embodiment can additionally employ post-delivery recorder  50 , FIG. 1 c ; alert signal provider  70 , FIG. 2 a ; information recorder  410 , FIG. 2 b ; activator  75 , FIG. 3 a ; initiator  85 , FIG. 4 a ; repeater  130 , FIG. 6; and enabler  190 , FIG. 9.)  
         [0137]    Stopper  195  functions to halt delivery of information. Stopper  195  halts delivery of information by at least one of: halting operation of information deliverer  300 , halting operation of signal provider  30 , halting operation of alert  250 , halting operation of alert signal provider  70 , or diverting the incoming call. Stopper  195  comprises user interface  77 . User interface  77  functions to receive instruction from a user.  
         [0138]    As shown for this eighth preferred embodiment, circuitry  20  is configured to attain voice information  289  and provider  30  is configured to provide live audio signal  234 .  
         [0139]    An example of operation of this eighth preferred embodiment will now be given. System operation begins when an incoming call is detected by circuitry  20 . Circuitry  20  then signals delay  205 . Delay  205  responds by implementing a predetermined time delay, such as, for example, a twelve second time delay. When the time delay has elapsed, delay  205  signals circuitry  20 . In response, circuitry  20  answers the incoming call and sends the caller a message such as, “Please state your name and your company&#39;s name and please repeat this information until we answer.” The caller can respond with, for example, “John with Stolz Industries” and continues to repeat this response into his telephone microphone. The caller&#39;s response is attained as voice information  289  by circuitry  20  and forwarded to information signal provider  30 .  
         [0140]    Upon receipt, provider  30  forwards the information  289 , now constituting live audio signal  234 , to operate speaker  99  (or telephone receiver  78  or both). Provider  30  provides live audio signal  234  until circuitry  20  detects a caller hang-up or an off-hook condition at telephone  27 . From the exemplary “John with Stolz Industries” information broadcast out of speaker  99 , the user has determined the identity of the caller and can determine that he does not wish to speak to the caller nor continue to hear the caller&#39;s response out of speaker  99 . Consequently, the user can push control button  101  on telephone  27 . Button  101  sends a signal to interface  77 . In response, stopper  195  signals provider  30 . Provider  30  responds by discontinuing forwarding the signal  234  to speaker  99 . (In addition to, or in place of, halting operation of provider  30 , stopper  195  can divert the incoming call by signaling circuitry  20  which responds by sending the caller a message. In addition to, or in place of, stopping operation of speaker  99 , stopper  195  can divert the incoming call by signaling circuitry  20  which responds by disconnecting from the call. In addition to, or in place of, stopping operation of speaker  99 , stopper  195  can divert the incoming call to post-delivery recorder  50 . This embodiment can further include post-delivery recorder  50  and stopper  195  will thus signal recorder  50 . In response, recorder  50  can record post-delivery message information  51  from the caller. In addition to, or in place of, stopping operation of speaker  99 , this embodiment can further include alert signal provider  70  and stopper  195  can signal provider  70  which discontinues sending an alert signal.) Upon a user answering telephone  27  or the caller hanging up, circuitry  20  resets the system.  
         [0141]    In summary, the example of the eighth preferred embodiment of delivery system  10  (FIG. 8) operates by: Step(1) Delaying the answering of a telephone call incoming from a service provider (or, when configured to reside at service provider  121 : Delaying the interception of a telephone call when en route through a service provider); Step(2) Answering the telephone call (or, when configured to reside at service provider  121 : intercepting the telephone call); Step(3) Attaining information input by a caller (attaining voice information  289 ); Step(4) Providing at least one signal to operate an information deliverer to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user (by providing live audio signal  234 ); and Step(5) Halting the delivery of information.  
         [0142]    An example of a ninth preferred embodiment of information delivery system is shown as system  10   q  in FIG. 9. This ninth preferred embodiment employs a plurality of information delivery systems, each delivery system  10  configured to attain information input by a caller and to deliver at least some of the information to a user.  
         [0143]    The example of FIG. 9 illustrates this ninth preferred embodiment employing a combination of all sixteen of the examples of system  10  previously disclosed (FIGS. 1 a ,  1   b ,  1   c ,  1   d ,  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 ). Accordingly, this example of this ninth preferred embodiment comprises a combination of all components employed by those embodiments, as shown.  
         [0144]    This example of embodiment nine also employs an enabler  190  (shown as E.). Enabler  190  functions to enable a user to engage and disengage at least one of the delivery systems  10 . Enabler  190  includes a selector switch  191 . As depicted in FIG. 9, selector switch  191  is shown as having a total of seventeen settings, one setting for each of the sixteen embodiments plus a “O” setting. However, a greater or lesser number of selections can be used depending on the number of variations included. For example, when the pointer on switch  191  has been set to point at “ 1   a ” (for example), operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a  is engaged through switch  191  (and all other embodiments are disengaged). When the pointer is pointed at “ 1   b ” (for example), operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 b  is engaged (and the others are disengaged). When the pointer is pointed at “6” (for example), operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6 is engaged, and so on. When the pointer is pointed at “O”, no embodiments are engaged. Consequently, when the pointer is pointed at “O” telephone calls placed to telephone  27  occur in the conventional manner as if there were no system  10 , just a common-day telephone.  
         [0145]    Enabler  190  can function, for example, in conjunction with a central processor. When enabler  190  engages one of the embodiments, the processor enacts an operating program appropriately controlling the components pertaining to that embodiment. When switch  191  is pointed at “O”, enabler  190  disconnects circuitry  20  from detecting (and thus answering) an incoming call.  
         [0146]    Enabler  190  can also be employed with any of the embodiments of system  10  disclosed, FIGS. 1 a  through  8 . For each of those embodiments, enabler  190  functions to connect and disconnect just one embodiment. Consequently, for each of those embodiments, enabler  190  can, for example, employ a simple on/off toggle switch in place of selector switch  191 . (Also, system  10  can be configured to include a signal provider enabler whereby the user can select the type of signal provided by provider  30 , i.e. determining what type of information deliverer  300  is in service.)  
         [0147]    The preferred embodiments of information delivery system  10  herein disclosed have been disclosed operating in conjunction with (but not inclusive of) communication device  60 , information deliverer  300  and alert  250 . Dotted line  88  in FIG. 8 illustrates that the eighth preferred embodiment (as well as all other disclosed embodiments) can additionally include one or more of device  60 , deliverer  300  and alert  250 .  
         [0148]    The embodiments of the information delivery system  10  herein disclosed are shown operating in conjunction with telephones  27 , telephone line  11  and service provider  121 . Those embodiments also provide advantage to the user when operating in conjunction with cellular telephones, cellular telephone pathways and cellular service providers, or other.  
         [0149]    The embodiments of delivery system  10  herein disclosed are shown as functional when located between service provider  121  and communication device  60  and also when located at service provider  121 . Additionally, system  10  can be located at a communication device  60 , such as telephones  27  (including cellular telephones). Also, system  10  can be located at the base of a cordless telephone or at the cordless telephone itself. Further, system  10  can be located in part at a service provider  121 , with the remaining part located between service provider  121  and communication device  60  or located at communication device  60 . For example, circuitry to intercept a call can be located at a cellular service provider and circuitry to attain and deliver information can be located at the associated cellular telephone. As yet another example, part of system  10  can be located at the base to a cordless telephone with the remainder of system  10  located at the cordless phone itself.  
         [0150]    In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.