Importance

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Abstract

A call screening unit of the present invention is interposed between the telephone itself and the wall jack. When an incoming call is received, the call screening unit initially grabs the signal without allowing the signal to pass through to the phone. The call screening unit determines if the incoming call has a valid carrier signal. If the call has a valid carrier signal, the call is allowed to pass through, and the phone rings. If the call has an invalid carrier signal, the caller is prompted to enter an override code. The override code entered is compared with stored override codes. If a valid override code is entered, then the call is allowed through, and the phone rings. If a valid override code is not entered, the call is terminated, and the phone never rings. The call screening unit includes a fax switch which can be set to be 'on' or 'off'. If the fax switch is set to 'on', the call screening unit will also determine if the signal is a fax/computer signal, and will allow fax calls to pass through. Thus, the user's phone will only ring if the incoming call has a valid carrier signal, if a proper override code was entered by the caller, of if the call has a fax/computer signal and the fax switch is set to 'on.' The call screening unit also allows for a user to display, delete, print, and change override codes. To do so, a personal identification code must be entered. If a valid personal identification code is not entered after a predetermined number of tries, the call screening unit will sound an alarm.

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First Claim