Importance

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Abstract

A telephone privacy system provides audible melodies identifying respective authorized callers without requiring the system user to answer the phone. A first ringing signal burst on the user's telephone line actuates the telephone ring circuit to announce an incoming call. The second burst places the phone off-hook and returns simulated audible ringing signal to the line so that unauthorized callers are not aware that calls are being screened. The simulated audible ringing signal also serves as an entry request to authorized callers who dial in their identification code after the first burst of simulated audible ringing signal. The entered code activates a tune generator to provide the called party with the caller-identifying melody. A visual indicator is provided to register visible indicia representing authorized calling parties.

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First Claim