Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing spoken identification of a telephone caller on all phones of a service subscriber's telephone line. The caller's identification is spoken over a regular telephone receiver so no visual display hardware is needed. Software allows the call to be handled by the subscriber in multiple ways. Voice or keypad commands allow the subscriber to take the call, play the caller a message declining the call, route the call to a voice mail system (if available), or refer the call to some other system. Software control of the apparatus allows the call routings to be optional, flexibly configured, and extended to other capabilities in the future. Software control also allows the telephone company's billing name database to be expanded beyond what is known to the local telephone company of the subscriber. Alternatively, a predefined list of expected caller's numbers can be defined by the caller and their names recorded. Adding call screening for desired calls would also be particularly useful in the cellular environment. The caller's name, or if not available his phone number, can be spoken to the subscriber using text-to-speech technology. Alternatively, the caller could be asked to state his name and the apparatus record it and then play it back to the subscriber for caller identification.

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First Claim