GB2337178A

GB2337178A - Calling line identification

Info

Publication number: GB2337178A
Application number: GB9909078A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hoong Kok Chung
Original assignee: Inventec Electronics M Sdn Bhd
Current assignee: Inventec Electronics M Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 1998-05-08
Filing date: 1999-04-20
Publication date: 1999-11-10
Also published as: GB9909078D0

Abstract

A telephonic apparatus and method for detecting and decoding incoming calls with Caller Identification (CID) information to identify urgent incoming repeat calls automatically screening and arranging them in order of priority of display in accordance with the most number of repeated attempts made, coupled with call back feature that instantly connects to such calls as and when required.

Description

i 2337178 M

DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF INVENTION: REPEAT CALL & URGENT CALL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A Field Of The Invention

This invention is generally related to the field of telephonic communications and more particularly to systems having Caller Identification Display (CID) on a single telephone line.

B. Description Of The Related Arl

The Caller Identification feature available on existing telephone systems allow the telephone operating system to transmit a calling party's telephone number as a digitally coded signal to the user's telephone set. The user's telephone set has circuitry to receive and decode the digital signal from the local central office (c/o) and displays on the telephone set the caller's telephone number. This allows 15 the user to screen the calls anytime thereafter and to decide whether to answer or to ignore the calls based on his own preferences. Such calls are stored in the memory in the telephone set and can be recalled as and when required.

However, most existing systems are complicated and are specially designed for the user to screen, select and compare against a predetermined criteria of answering certain calls and to ignore unwanted calls. There is a need for an easy and efficient system that is able to highlight only urgent incoming repeat calls that are received in the user's absence and a convenient means for the user to respond to such calls instantly on his return without the hassle of having to adjust, regulate, set or reprogram the system.

(2) A lot of business opportunities and transactions depends upon the urgent response to telephone calls and a calling party is often frustrated with having to make repeated calls without being able to contact a particular user on the line. It is therefore essential that in the busy modem business environment, the user is able to identify and respond to such incoming repeat calls made in his absence immediately upon his return.

It is the object of this invention that the user is provided with an easy and economical method of being informed and to be able to respond immediately to such urgent repeat calls. It is a further object of this invention to provide the user a means of arranging such calls in order of priority according to their urgency measured by the highest number of repeat calls made by any particular calling party.

SUNMARY OF THE INVENTION 1 In accordance with the present invention the method and apparatus disclosed provides a solution of. how to store, record and display the number of repeat calls made by a particular calling party and managing such calls in order of priority of urgency measured by the highest number of repeat calls made by any particular calling party.

This is particularly useful to a user who is away when the calls are received and upon his return can immediately identify the more urgent calls that the user has to respond by looking at the CID display on this telephone set and by pressing a dial button each time will immediately be connected in turn to the lines of each of the calling parties.

i 1.

(3) According to one embodiment of the present invention it comprises of a Decoder and Reception Circuit, Control Processing Unit, Memory, DTMI generator and preferably as Display devices like Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Light Emitting Diode (LED).

The Decoder and Reception Circuit serves'to detect and decode telephone number information of a CID message sent from Central Office through a telephone line, the Control Processing Unit will store the telephone number information into Memory. When a second call is received, the Decoder and Reception Circuit detects and decodes this telephone number information into data and output to Control Processing Unit. The Control Processing Unit will compare this data with the telephone number data stored in the Memory. If a coincidence is detected between the output data of the Decoder and the telephone number data of the Memory, the Control Processing Unit will display the ALERT WORDS of e.g. "REPEAT CALW or "URGENT CALW on the LCD display and/or changing the flash rate of the LED. When the user of this product wishes to contact the calling party by pressing " Dial " button, the Control Processing Unit will output the telephone number data to DTMF generator, the DTMF generator in turn will convert this data to DTMF signal and send to the telephone line of the calling party.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

A. Brief Description of the Drawings:

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed 'description given below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only and are not intended to limit the present invention, and wherein:

(4) FIG 1:

FIG 2:

FIG 3:

FIG 4:

FIG 5:

is an example of network connection between CALLING PARTIES, CENTRAL OFFICE which provides CIDS and INVENTION PRODUCT.

shows an example of the NVENTION PRODUCT in block diagram is a flovchart diagram that shows the flow of operation for which the INVENTION PRODUCT has received CID message consisting of only one repeat call.

is a flowchart diagram that shows the flow of operation for which the INVENTION PRODUCT has received two CID ruessages consisting of two repeat calls.

is a flowchart diagram that shows the flow of operation for which INVENTION PRODUCT has received two CID messages consisting of two repeat calls, and ONE CALLING PARTY has called in for the third time.

1 (5) B. A Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

FIC.1 shows an example of network connection between CALLING PARTY A (1), CALLING PARTY B (2), CENTRAL OFFICE (4) which provides CEDS and INVENTION PRODUCT (6).

When a CALLING PARTY A(I) OR CALLING PARTY B(2) makes a phone call throi. igh TELEPHONE LW (3a) or TELEPHONE LINE (3b) respectively to the CENTRAL OFFICE (4), CENTRAL OFFICE (4) will send the CID message to the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) through TP-LEPHONE LINE (5).

F1G.2 shows an example of the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) in block diagram.

This INVENTION PRODUCT (6) should be used in conjunction with a system having "Caller Identification Display (CID)". The INVENTION PRODUCT (6) is built up by a DECODER AND RECEPTION CIRCIAT (8), CONTROL PROCESSING UNIT (9), CID MEMORY (10), LCD DISPLAY (11), LED (12), BUTTON OR KEY PAD (13) and DTWGENERATOR (14). The DECODER AND RECEPTION CIRCUIT (8) serves to detect and decode telephone number information of a CID message sent from CENTRAL OFFICE (4) througha TELEPHONE LINE (7), the CONTROL PROCESSING UNIT (9)will store the telephone number information as data into CID NEMORY (10). When a second call is received, the DECODER AND RECEPTION CIRCLqT (8) will detect and decode this telephone number information into data and output to CONTROL PROCESSING UNIT (9), the CONTROL PROCESSINGUNIT (9) will compare this data with the data stored in the CID MEMORY (10). If a coincidence is detected between the output data of the DECODER AND RECEPTION CIRCUIT (8) and the data of the CID MEMORY (10), the CONTROL PROCESSING UNIT (9) will display the alert words of "REPEAT i 1 (6) CALWor "URGENT CALW on the LCD DISPLAY (11) and change the flash rate of the LED (12). User of this INVENTION PRODUCT (6) can contact this calling party by pressing "DIAL" button from the BUTTON AND KEY PAD (13), the CONTROL PROCESSING UNIT (9) will output the data in CID MEMORY (10) to DTMF GENERATOR (14), the DTMI GENERATOR (14) will convert this data to DTM17 signal and send to the TELEPHONE LINE(7).

FIG.3 is a flowchart diagram that shovs the flow of operation for which the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) has received CID MESSAGE (15) consisting of only one repeat call. When the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) has received the CID MESSAGE (eg: 6466888 call comes in) (15) from the CALLING PARTY A (1).

The INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will compare and match with the data stored in CID MEMORY(I0) (16). If the CID MESSAGE (15) is foundthesame and matches with data in the CID MEMORY (10)(16), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will start another new process flow (18) as in the following by:- a. Changing the indication of LED (12) blinks from 1 second on/I second off (19) to LED (12) continues to turn on / other timing (2 1).

b. The LCD(I 1) will display this CALLING PARTY A's (1) telephone number on the LCD DISPLAY (11) with additional alert words of. "REPEAT CALL" or "URGENT CALL" (20) on the LCD DISPLAY (11) by means of "icon" or "seven segment" or "dot matrix" display.

C.

If user presses "DIAL" button (22), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will seize the TELEPHONE LINE (5) and send this CALLING PARTY A's 1 (7) (1) telephone number to the CENTRAL OFFICE (4) and connect with CALLING PARTY A(I) (24).

d. If user does not press "DIAL" button, the LCD DISPLAY (11) will remain the same (23).

However, if the CID MESSAGE (15) is different from the data in the CID MEMORY (10), the INVENTION PRODUCT(6) will add the CID MESSAGE (15) to CID MEMORY (10) (17) and LED (12) blinks 1 second on/ 1 second off (19).

FIG.4 is a flowchart diagram that shows the flow of operation for which the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) has received two CID MESSAGES (25) (32,' consisting of two repeat calls. When the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) has received the CID MESSAGE (eg:6466001 call comes in) (25) froni the CALLING PARTY A (1), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will dompare and match with the data stored in CID MEMORY (10) (26). If the CID MESSAGE (25) is found the same and matches with the data in the CID MEMORY (10) (26), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will start another new process flow (28) as in the following by:- a. Changing the indication of LED(I 2) blinks from 1 second on/ 1 second off (29) to LED (12) continues to turn on /other timing (3 1).

c b. The LCD (11) will display this CALLING PARTY A's (1) telephone number on the LCD DISPLAY (11) with additional alert words of ---REPEATCALW or "URGENT CALL" (30) on the LC1) DISPLAY (11) by means of "icon" or "seven segment" or "dot matrix" display.

(8) However, if the CID MESSAGE (25) is different with the data in the CID MEMORY (10), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will add the CID MESSAGE (25) to CID MEMORY (10) (27) and LED (12) blinks 1 second on / 1 second off (29). When the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) has received a different CIDMESSAGE (eg:6466002 call comes in) (32) from theCALLING PARTY B(2),the INVENTION PRODUCT(6)will compare and match with the data stored in CID MEMORY (10)(33). IftheCID MESSAGE(32)is found thesameand matcheswith the data in the CID MEMORY (10) (33), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will:- a. Display CALLING PARTY A's (1) telephone number on the LCD DISPLAY (11) with additional alert words of "REPEAT CALL 1 " (3 5). Meanwhile the LED (12) continues to turn on/other timing (3 1).

However, if the CID MESSAGE (32) is different with the data in the CID MEMORY (10), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will add the CID MESSAGE (3 2) to CID MEMORY (10) (34) and LED (12) continues to turn on/other timing (36). If user presses "DIAW button (37), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will seize the TELEPHONE LINE (5) and send CALLING PARTY A's (1) telephone number to the CENTRAL OFFICE (4) and connect with CALLING PARTY A(I) (39). But, If user does not press "DIAL" button, the LCD DISPLAY (11) will remain the same (38).

1 (9) After user has ended the call with CALLING PARTY A (1), LCD DISPLAY (11) will display CALLING PARTY B's (2) telephone number on the LCD DISPLAY (11) with additional alert words OF "REPEAT CALL T' (40). If user presses "DIAL" button (4 1), the INVENTION PRODUCT. (6) will seize the TELEPHONE LINE (5) and send this CALLING PARTY B's (2) telephone number to the CENTRAL OFFICE (4) and connect with CALLING PARTY B (2) (43). But, if user does not press 'TIAW button, the LCD display (11) will remain the same (42).

FIG.5 is a flowchart diagram that shows the flow of operation for which the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) has received two CID MESSAGES (44) (5 1) consisting of two repeat calls, and CALLING PARTY B (2) has called in for the third time (56). When the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) has received the CID MESSAGE (eg: 6466003 call comes in) (44) from the CALLING PARTY A (1), The INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will compare and match with the data stored in CID MEMORY (10) (45). If the CID MESSAGE (44) is found the same and matches with the data in the CID MEMORY (10) (45), the 11,RTNTION PRODUCT (6) will start another new process flow (47) as in the following by:- a. Changing the indicatio n of LED (12) blinks fi-om 1 second on / 1 second off (48) to LED (12) continues to turn on / other timing (50).

1 b The LCI) DISPLAY(I 1) will display CALLING PARTY A's (1) telephone number on the LCD DISPLAY (11) with additional alert words of "REPEAT CAW' or "URGENT CALL " (49) on the LC1) DISPLAY (11) by means of %con " or "seven segment" or "dot matrix" display.

(10) However, if the CID MESSAGE (44) is different from thedatain the CID MEMORY (10), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will add the CID MESSAGE (44) to CID MEMORY (10) (46) and LED (12) blinks 1 second on / 1 second off (48). When the R.TION PRODUCT (6) has received a different CID MESSAGE (e.g.: 6466004 call comes in) (5 1) from the CALLING PARTY B (2), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will compare and match with the data stored in CID MEMORY (10) (52). If the CID MESSAGE (51) is found the same and matches with the data in the CID MEMORY (10) (52) the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will:- a Display CALLING PARTY A's (1) telephone number on the LCD DISPLAY (11) with additional alert words of "REPEAT CALL 1 " (54). Meanwhile the LED (12) continues to turn on/ other timing (50).

However, if the CID MESSAGE (5 1) is different with, the data in the CID MEMORY (10), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will add the CID MESSAGE (5 1) to CID MEMORY (10) (5 3) and LED (12) continues to turn onlother timing (55).

If the CALLING PARTY B (2) has called in for the third time (56), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will compare and match with the data stored in CID MEMORY(I0)(57). If the CID MESSAGE (56) is found the same and matches with the data in the CID MEMORY (10)(57), the INVENTION PRODUCT (6) will:a. Display CALLING PARTY B's (2) telephone number on the LCD DISPLAY (11) with additional alert words of "REPEAT CALL V (58). Meanwhile the LED (12) continues to turn onlother timing (50).

1 (11)

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:-

1. An apparatus for processing telephonic signals transmitting incoming Caller Identification (CID) information in a telephonic line connected to a call screen arrangement comprising of a Decoder means that serves to detect and decode the said CID information, a Processing Unit means to screen and store the said CID information within a Memory means, a Display. mean to display the information received characterized in that the call screen arrangement is designed to prioritise incoming calls in terms of the degree of urgency.

2. Th e apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in that the degree of urgency is determined by the most number of incoming repeat calls made.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claimsl and 2 in which the Display means comprises of a Visual Display means that registers the most urgent incoming calls in order of priority.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 and 2, comprising of a Call Back means that connects an instant call back feature that arranges the most urgent incoming calls in order of priority.

5. A method for processing telephonic signals transmitting incoming Caller Identification (CID) information in a telephonic line connected to a call screen arrangement comprising of a Decoder means that, serves to detect and decode the said CID information, a Processing Unit means to screen and store the said CID information within a 1 (12) Memory means, a Display means to display the information received characterized in that the call screen arrangement is designed to prioritise incoming calls in terms of the degree of urgency. -

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 in that the degree of urgency is determined by the most number of incoming repeat calls made.

7. The method as claimed in claims 5 & 6 in which the Display means comprises of a Visual Display means that registers the most urgent incoming calls in order of priority.

8. The method as claimed in claims 5 & 6 comprising of a Call Back means that connects an instant call back feature that arranges the most urgent incoming calls in order of priority.

An apparatus for processing the telephonic signals transmitting incoming Caller Identification (CID) information in a telephonic line connected to a call screen arrangement comprising of a Decoder means that serves to detectand decode the said CID information, a Processing Unit means that serves to screen and store the said CID information within aMemory means, a Display means to display the information characterized in that the said call screen arrangement 'Is designed to prioritise incoming calls in terms of the degree of urgency determined by the most number of incoming repeat calls made and a CallBack means to facilitate instant response to such incoming calls arranged in order of priority whenever required.

(13) 10. A method for processing telephonic signals. transmitting incoming Caller Identification (CID) information in a telephonic line connected to a call screen arrangement com rising of a Decoder means that serves to p detect and decode the said CID information, a Processing Unit means to screen and store the said CID information within a Memory means, a Display means to display the information received characterized in that the call screen arrangement is designed to prioritise incoming calls in terms of the degree of urgency determined by the most number of incoming repeat calls madeanda Call Back means to facilitate instant response to such incoming calls arranged in order of priority whenever required.