Importance

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Abstract

A calling party announcement apparatus and method for providing the identity of the caller in a non-synthesized, pre-recorded human speech. The invention detects and decodes the Incoming Caller Line Identification (ICLID) signal between ring signals before the called party answers the phone and announces the calling party's name and/or phone number. The called party answers the telephone or rejects the call before the receiver goes off-hook. Additionally, if the called party elects to accept the call, the call is answered, an individualized pre-recorded message is played back, or any other preferences selected with respect to the ICLID information is performed. An important aspect of the invention is the ability to play and record announcements and messages without the use of expensive and power-consuming digital signal processors. The invention provides for recording and locating pre-recorded announcements and predetermined preferences for call acceptance using the decoded ICLID information.

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First Claim