4,866,76	9/1989	Piatar	379/200
2
4,993,06	2/1991	Dula at al 379/88.27
2
5,161,18				Zwick
1

5,200,99	4/1993	Gaukel at at		379/200
5
5,553,12	9/1996	Grimes	379/211
8
5,737,4	*41199*	Zave	-	319/201
03	8
5,751,80				Axlon
0
			Bingamcn at al
				37
				9/88.12 X
	6			Fotta .
* cited by examiner

Pnmar Examiner-Harry S. Hong
(57)		ABSTRACT

The integration of various federally required and state mandated do-not-call lists for telemarketers into a system that automatically blocks outgoing calls from a number of companies ("Customer Companies") taking into account factors such as preexisting customers which may legally he contacted is disclosed. The system reviews outgoing calls by a telemarketer, compares it to the general do-not-call lists and the specific customer company do-not-call list and override permitted call lIst to make a determination if the call should be. completed. This integration is due to the incorporation of a general purpose computer in a central location that is connected to all the major telephone carriers switch cluster locations and operated by a service provider. The "do-not-call" database of originating/destination pails, as well as the logic for blocking or permitting telephone calls, is stored in this computer. This computer makes all blocking decisions in real-time based on the originating and destination number combinations of the call.

10 ClaIms, 6 DrawIng Sheets

U.S.	Sheet I of 6	US
		6,330,317
Patent		Bi
Dec. 11, 2001

U.S.		US
Patent		6,330,317
Dec. 11,2001		Bi
Sheet 2 of 6

Dec. 11,2001

.56

Is there. CN

5
7

58 59

~Yes~~fl

66
65

Yes

U.S. Patent	Sheet 4 of 6			US 6,330,317 Bi



				85
U.S. Patent	Dec. 11,2001	Sheet 5 of	80
				US 6,330,317 Bi

[ Customer
Logs on to Internet

~
8

8
and Passwo

FIG. 4

			92

U.S. Patent		Sheet 4 of 6			US 6,330,317 Bi



U.S. Patent	Dec. 11,
	2001
	Sheet 6 of 6
	US
	6,330,317
	B!			9
				1

Disable Internet
Site


1~

Bulk Copy
Updating
Database


.4.

Re~Enable Internet
Site		93



:____


format files

!

Replace Control
Computer
Database with
Reformated
Updating
Database

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent

Sheet 4 of 6

US 6,330,317 Bi

FIG. 7

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent	Sheet 4 of 6		US 6,330,317 Bi


			US 6,330,317 BI
1		65 not eliminate the possibility of an employee innocently
CALL BLOCKING SYSTEM		calling a number from an old call list or an employee
		simply
BACKGROUND OF THE			2
INVENTION		disregarding the company's do-not-call list altogether in
1. Field of the Invention		the search for commissions.
ilie invention concerns telephone systems generally and		In addition, certain ambiguities develop in use. For
more specifically, concerns the blocking of outgoing ^phone		example, a prior purchaser may have placed his name on a

calls to phone numbers which have been placed on a ^do-state mandated list. The hand process would eliminate that

not-call list.				number although the customer may, in fact, wish to
		2. Prior Air		receive the call and by his former purchases, is a permitted

In recent years the door to door salesman has been callee replaced by telephone solicitation. Rather than a salesman under the state law.

walking a route, a telemarketer makes a series of telephone Various attempts have been made to control out-calls. The telephone numbers dialed are normally on a call going ~ calls, usually to restrict long distance toll calls or to list given to the telernarketing salesman by his employer. The a single call list may be organized by address, consumer information List of restricted numbers. A number of systems have or by the numbers themselves. Just as the consumer been can slam the door in the face of a door to door salesman, the directed to stopping the making of long distance calls or consumer may hang up upon receiving a telephone solici- specific area calls from a given location. For example, US. tation. However, the call itself is considered by many to be Pat. No. 4,612,419, to Smith, entitled Toll Restriction an intrusive act. The widespread nature of telephone solici- Cii15 cult for Electronic Telephone Station, describes a tation means that certain segments of the public are desirous means of being protected from even receIving such calls. Thus, a controlling toll calls only and is employed within the number of private organizations were created to inform direct telephone station itself. It looks for a 0 and 1 in the first marketers as to those who did not wish to receive such dialed digit, the subscriber can lock and unlock the device phone calls. Organizations produced do-not-call lists from by a key those who do not wish to receive tolemarketing solicitations pad entry with an enabling and disabling code. U.S. and provided such lists to those direct marketeers who Pat. No.

voluntarily comply with the consumer's request. Upon	'°	4,358,640, to Murray, entitled Telephone Security
receipt of these lists, these marketeers would delete the listed		Device, issued Nov. 9, 1982, describes a circuit which has
numbers from their telemarketer's call lists. Such do not call		means to
lists work both to the benefit of the people who do not wish to	allow or disallow toll calls on entry of a programmable code
receive calls and to the soliciting company which has its call		stored. U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,642, to Arbabzadah Ct at.,
list referred to a more select group of potential consumers		Call
that are more receptive of telephone sales pitches.	-	Screening in a Public Telephone Station, issued Dcc. 27,
The Federal Government requires each telemarketer to	2)	1988, discloses control equipment in a customer owned
maintain its own 'do-not-call" lists and to add to the list the		public telephone station which prevents a user from

name of anyone so requesting exclusion from telephone calls making unauthorized telephone calls in a telephone system. from their company. Under the statute, fines can be assessed The

against companies that call numbers on the company's do- system restricts telephone numbers a user can dial to those not-call list. The consumer is given the right to sue any numbers preselected by a station owner. U.S. Pat. No. 30 company which calls them after they have requested that the 5,200,995, to Gaukel et at., issued Apr. 6, 1993, entitled company place them on the do-not-call list. In addition, a Universal Outgoing Call Restriction Circuit, discloses a number of state governments, including those of florida, circuit which prevents a telephone or a plurality of tele-Oregon, Arizona, Alaska, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, phones from making unauthorized or restricted calls to Arkansas and Georgia, maintain, or in the near future, will be specific numbers or unspecific groups of numbers. Essen maintaining, statewide do-not-call lists which arc applicable ~ tially the system compares the numbers against prepro-to all vendors calling numbers in the state. grammed internal lists of restricted numbers. Thus, a telemarketer is faced with a legal responsibility None of these patents disclose a system necessary to

under federal and stale law to refrain from calling numbers handle the blocking requirements under federal and state maintained on separate lists including their own internal list law and lists prepared by various blocking organizations. and lists maintained by a number of state governments. On

penalty of fine and civil action, the responsibility is laid on			SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
the telemarketer to ensure that no do-not-call numbers are,			A system which would monitor and quickly update all
in fact, called. In addition, they may have one or more			such lists for a number of companies would be beneficial
organizations do-not-call list with which the telemarketer			to
wishes to comply. Accordingly, companies developed ^their		~	both the consumers who wish to be protected from
final call lists for their telemarkcter by comparing and			telephone
matching their federaUy re~uire.d do-not-call list, various			solicitation and the soliciting companies. Such a system
state	do-not-call lists and organizational do-not-call ^list-s	would have to be able to block or specifically permit calls
with	their telemarketer's call lists and eliminating ^anyfrom specific originating numbers to specific destination
matching numbers from their call list. This process has until			numbers. To be useful, the do-not-call decision would
now been done manually and is subject to human error.			have so to be fully automatic and include the capability
There is a large number of employees who must be com-			of dynamically changing the do-not-call list for specific
mitted to this effort. Even with this effort, the process does			originating/

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent	Sheet 4 of 6		US 6,330,317 Bi
destination phone number pairs as individuals request		60 supporting a single company specific do-not-call list for
blocking or become clients of the company in question.		multiple offices of the same company in different
Each		geographic locations. Finally, it must be able to import, in
calling company must be capable of adding or deleting ~		bulk, large numbers of specific telephone number
numbers from the company's specific do-not-call list		combinations.
without affecting another company's list. Equally, each		The present invention is directed to integration of
company		various do-not-call lists into a system that automatically
must have the option of automatically blocking numbers on		blocks outgoing calls from a number of companies
the state mandated list or to block only from their own		("Customer Companies") taking into account factors such
do-not-call list. Equally such a system must be capable of		as preexisting

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent

Sheet 4 of 6

US 6,330,317 Bi

FUll. 7 is a flow diagram for transferring the updated

customers which may legally be contacted. Thus, rathcr _than

database information to the control computers,

modifying the call lists for each customer company, it acts to

review the outgoing call, compare it to the. general do-not-call

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NE

lists and the specific customer company do-not-call list and

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

override permitted call list to make a determi- ~ nation if the

call should be completed. This integration is due to the

The present invention encompasses not only the specific

incorporation of a general purpose computer in a central

method of blocking the telephone calls but of maintaining

location that is connected to all the major telephone carriers

and updating the do-not-call database and its component

switch duster locations and operated by a service provider.

lists

both

general and

for specific

customer

The "do-not-call" database of originating/ destination pairs,

companies. In

as well as the logic for blocking or permitting telephone _calls,

~ particular

the

invention

includes

the

periodic

is stored in this central computer. This computer makes all

synchronizing

blocking decisions in real-time based on the originating and

of the do-not-call

databases with a master

updating

destination number combinations of the call.

database which is periodically updated by customers through

All participating customer companies have access to a

the internet and by state and consumer organizations latest

separate part of this database ("updating do-not-call _database")

do-not-call lists.

for the purpose of adding or deleting numbers on their

FIG.

1 is

a diagrammatic representation

how the

company specific do-not-call lists or to permit override of

control

computer

of the

present invention

interconnects

specific numbers on any state mandated or organizational do-

with the normal telephone system. Telemarketing customer

not-call lists. Since this database receives information from

companies 10-12 receive their telephone services from one

various companies and from a number of state and

or more telephone

companies or carriers. The

customer

organizational do-not-call lists, it must be accessible from

companies

different geographical locations. Accordingly, the database is

telecommunications company

provider by

conventional

maintained using the Internet. The Internet acts as a customer

means such as plain old telephone service lines (POTS), Ti

interface that will permit any customer who has access to the

line, feature

I), or any

other

conventional

telephonic

Internet to enter change requests for specific do-not-call

linkage. The

telecotnrmmication company provides a dial

lists.

tone to the customer for a tclepbone call and performs all

Undernorrnal telephone practice when a call is originated,

normal communication functions. Calls are placed from hand

the information for the call is transported to the primary ~

sets 15-20 at

the respective customers 10-12 to

their

local

switch cluster for the telecommunications carrier. This infor-

primary telephone switch cluster 13-14.

mation includes both the originating number, or where the

As seen in FIG. 1, customer companies 10 and 11 have their

caller has a trunk line, the AuthCode (a seven digit number

telephone

service provided through the same primary

corresponding to the originating trunk group of the caller) and

switch cluster

13.

Customer company

12,

has its

the called number('originatirig/destination pair"). If the caller is

telephone

service

provided

through

primary

switch

from a participating customer company on the present do-not-

cluster 14. As is normal with any telephone call, when a

call blocking system, the switch cluster recognizes the

call is placed from handsets 15-19 information both as

originating number or authorization code and the

to the originating number of the hand set and the

originating/destination pair information is transported from the

destination number which was dialed by the customer

switch cluster to the control computer while the call is held at

company

(i.e.,

the

originaling/

destination pair) is

the switch cluster. The control computer's function is to then

supplied

to the switch

cluster

13-14.

normal

process the information and create a command to either block

operation, the primary switch cluster 13 and 14 would

that call or permit the call to be completed. Once the decision is

then route the signal to the destination number dialed

made, the control computer indicates the. decision to the

at the respective

telemarketer's

hand

sets

13-20

carrier's switch cluster and a command is implemented at the

through the telephone system 25. In the present system,

switch cluster to either allow the call to be completed or to

the

switch

cluster

13-14

determines from

the

return a message to the telernarkctcr indicating that it has been

originating

number or

AuthCode whether the call

is to

blocked under the call blocking system.

be reviewed for a do not call determination. If the

originating number is one of the numbers from which

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ThE DRAWINGS

calls are to be reviewed, the switch cluster 13-14

The invention can be more fully understood from con-

holds the call and forwards the originating destination

sideration of the following detailed description of an illus-

pair to a control computer 26-27 for a determination

trative embodiment of the invention and the accompanying

of whether the call shouki be made or blocked by

drawings in which:

so reference to their respective databases either stored on

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the components

that computer

26-27 or in separate

storage means

of the control system;

28-29.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the overall call block

In actuality, there

may

two

more

redundant

processing;

control computers 26-27 performing the function. While

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the various

each such

elements forming the control computer do-not-call database;

computer will be designed to handle the complete load

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of decision making process

of s~c anticipated call traffic, the traffic load may be

performed by the control computer;

divided evenly

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the components

between the redundant computers 26-27. Thus, if one

of the system to update the do-not-call database;

of the control computers 26 cannot handle a call muted to

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of data entry to the customer's

it for any reason, one of the alternative control computers

do-not-call database by the Internet;

27 can

automatically take over. Although shown as two

computers 60 in FIG. 1, a number of such redundant

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent	Sheet 4 of 6		US 6,330,317 Bi
computers may be		65 more easily adapted to handle. numerous wide-spread
used and, in fact, such	control computers may be offices
geographically distributed throughout the country, creating a		of a single company in a uniform manner. Of course,
system with multiplex redundancies and, therefore,		the do not call database 28-29 for each of the redundant
extremely high		computers
reliability. Geographic distribution also makes this system

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent

Sheet 4 of 6

US 6,330,317 Bi

nwnber.

would have duplicate information and their updating be

Since the state mandated lists are for all telcmarketing

improved so that each blocking computer 26-27 would

done within the state regardless of the source, they are not

respond in the same way in making a call blocking _decision.

tagged for, or associated with, individual customers. Similar

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the process _for

do-not-call lists are maintained by private organizations are

blocking

not customer company specific 4'7. Such lists are for all

an individual telephone call. The telemarketer of a

^{relemarketcrs}and are thus not tagged by customer compa-

customer

nies. List 48 is the federally required do-not-call list which

company 10-12 dials his handset 15-20 in a conventional

must be maintained by each telemarketer. This list is a 65

manner 31. As normal in modem telecommunications,

^compilationof all those individuals who, when called by a

by so dialing the handset 15-20, the customer

^customercompany 10-U, indicated that they wished no

company 10-13

originates a signal corresponding both to

the ^dialer's

further calls. Since each such list is peculiar to the customer

originating telephone number or where the handset is

_company,it is tagged with the customer company's CM.

on a private trunk line, its AuthCode, and the

_The

destination number ,i.e., the originating/destination pair.

_finallist 49 forming each redundant database 28-29 is the

This information is transported in the normal manner

customer company's override/allow lists. The

32 to the telcmarketcr's telecornmunication

company's carrier's primary switch cluster 13-14.

customer

At the cluster, the switch 13-14 determines if the

^~company may have established relations with one or

call originates [mm a handset 15-20 which is subject

more

to call

individuals who, while unwilling to accept telemarketing

blocking 33. If not, the call is then automatically muted

calls in general. are willing to accept telemarketing calls

normally 34 to the

destination telephone number.

^fromthis particular customer company. This list contains

However, when the call originates from a telephone

^all

handset 15-16

such numbers for a customer company and is tagged with

which is subject to blockin& the call is so recognized by the

the 10 customer company's CM to permit calls to such persons

primary switch cluster 13-14, the call is held at the

⁵³

switch

by the allowed customer company.

cluster 13-14

and

the originating/destination

pair

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the process for carrying

information is transported 35 to one of the _control

out the Block/Complete Algorithm. Wben an originating/

computers 26-27. The control computer 26-27 then

^destinationpair arrive at the control computer for review, it

determines whether

the calls should be permitted or

^isfirst compared 55 with the customer list 45 to confirm that

blocked by execution of a block/complete algorithm 36 _as

the originating nurnber is that of a customer company. If it

more fully discussed below.

Upon making

the

^isnot, the call is completed 56. If, however, it is on the

appropriate determination, the

control computer

26-27

^customeridentification list 45, the CM for the originating

transports the decision 37 to the switch cluster 13-14.

number is determined and used in obtaining the

Depending upon this determination 38, either the call is

appropriate

blocked 39 and a message is forwarded to the _telemarketer

~ information from lists 48 and 49.

40 indicating that the call has been blocked or is muted

The called number is then compared 58 to the federally

normally 40. The entire decision making process is _very

required do-not-call list 48. As previously noted, this do-not-

rapid. It is unlikely that a lelemarketcr will

notice _any

call list is tagged with the customer company's CN. If the

delay in placing the call.

called number is on the federally required do-not-call list

The block/complete algorithm used to make the _block

for

decision 36 is based on the information in the _redundant

~ that customer company, the call is blocked 59. if, on the

do not call databases 28-29.As seen most clearly in FIG.

other hand, the called number is not on the federally

3 each redundant database 28-29 consists of a number of

required

component lists 45-49. The database 28-29 is _structured

list 48 for the customer company, i.e., the number is either

around the customer

identification

list 45.

This

list _is

not on the list or it is not called with the CM of the calling

composed of an

identification code or

number

("CN") for

customer company. If the same number is to be blocked

each customer

and

the telephone numbers

_andIorS for :to two different customer companies, the number appears

AuthCodes corresponding to each customer. All _originatingri twice

telephone numbers and AuthCodcs are tagged with the

on the do-not-call list 48, each time with a different tag.

customer's CN.AII offices of a single company have _a

The

single CN. List 45 entries may also contain one or more

number is then compared 60 to the allowed/override list 49

flags called private

organization

or P0

flags

that

⁵for the particular customer company as indicated by the CM

determines whether or

not a customer has chosen to be

⁵

tag in the allow/override list 49. If the number is on the

blocked from calling the numbers

on one or more _private

~s allow/override list 49, the call is completed 64. If it is not

organization maintained lists. If the value of a P0 flag _is

false, the customer has chosen not to be blocked by that

the allow/override list 49, the call number is then

private organization's

do-not-call

list. List 45 allows _the

compared 61 to the state mandated list 46. If the call number

control computer to select the relevant information _from

is on the state mandated list 46, the call is then blocked 62. If

lists 48-49 and determine whether to use list 47.

it is not

List 46 is a composite list of all the state generated Lists

on the state mandated list 46, the programs determines

from all relevant states. To this list may be _added

~ whether the private organization dip flag is at true or

individuals who have requested the service provider to be so

false

protected. The resulting list may be sorted by area code and

63. 1111 is false, and thus the customer does not with to

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent	Sheet 4 of 6		US 6,330,317 Bi
adhere to the private organization's requested blocking, the		organiz.ation lists 47 are periodically updated, as are
call is completed 64. if, on the other hand, the private		allow/override lists. New customer companies arc added to
organization dip flag is true and, thus, the customer wishes		the system. All these changes require that the customer
to conform to the request of the private organization, the		identification list 45,
call number is then compared 65 to the private		the federally required do-not-call list 48 and the customer
organization list 47. If it is not on the private organization		on override/allow list 49 be updated accordingly. In order to
list 47, the call is completed 64. If, on the other band, it is		keep the redundant do-not-call databases 28 and 29
on the private organization list 47, the call is blocked.		current, the databases are updated daily with information
Obviously, the contents of the do-not-call database 26-29		received from the customers and as received with regard to
must be updated as the underlying information changes.		information such as state mandated lists of do-not-call
At present, except for Alaska, the states issue new state		numbers.
mandated databases quarterly. The federally required do-		In order to accomplisb this result, a separate updating
no-call list 48 changes daily as people indicate they do not		do-not-call database 70 is maintained on an updating com-
desire a customer company to call them again. The private		puter (not shown) maintained by the service provider. As

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent

Sheet 4 of 6

US 6,330,317 Bi

the appropriate table in the control computer, the change

seen in FIG. 5, the updating do-not-call database 70 is

request record in the user-interface

composed of a number of lists which are periodically updated

as new information becomes available. One of the component

computer is updated with the date of this addition. When

lists is the customer identification list 71 corresponding to

the

the customer identification list 45 contained on the control

customer requests a deletion, a record is added to the change

computer do-not-call database 28. In normal

request table; however, in this case, a record is deleted from

operation, new customer companies arc added and customer

the requested table. The date of the deletion request is

companies leave the service. Equally, existing customer

part

companies may change ielepbonc service, adding or sub-

s of the data entered in the change request table but not in

trading telephone numbers or AuthCodes for the service. As

the requested table. After verification that tbe requested

such changes occur, they are inputted into the customer

deletion

identification list 71 by the service provider to produce an

has been made to the appropriate table in the control

updated list of telephone numbers and AulhCodes tagged

computer, the change request record in the user-interface

with the appropriate CN. The updating do-not-call database

computer is updated with the date of this deletion. This

may also contain customer demographic information 72,

~o enables the customer to determine, at any time, which

such as full corporate names, addresses, telephone numbers,

changes have been requested in which customer lists. The

billing information and the like associated with each CN for

customer can also determine which

changes have been

use of the service provider.

verified as being written in the control computer by looking

As each state mandated list is received by the service

at the date of the change. If the change has not occurred

provider, the service provider updates list 74 to include any

in is the control computer, the date appears as blank;

new numbers and make any other appropriate changes in the

otherwise,

list 74. State mandated lists may be provided over the

the date of the verification

of the

change

appears.

Internet or by CD-ROM disk, each state having its own

Records in the change request tables arc never deleted in

unique protocols and software programs. Using such

order to maintain an audit trail of requested cbanges.

programs, the data may be converted to a common format

As noted above, the lists 71 through 78 forming the

for updating the state mandated lists 74.

20 updating do-not-call database are updated in a number of

As noted above, in the control computer do-not-call

different fashions depending on the nature of the informa-

database 28, state mandated information is combined with

tion. Customer identification lists 71 arc inputted directly

the telephone numbers of individuals who have contacted

in the updating computer by the service provider as would

the service provider and requested their name be placed on

customer demographic information 72. Equally, state

the list. This information is kept on a separate private

man-

individual list 73 which is combined with the state

25 dated Lists are normally supplied by the. state on CD-

mandated

ROM

list 74 to make up a single list in the control do-not-call

in a number of different protocols cacb having their own

database 28 during the transfer process of updating the

associated software. Thus, in order to make a list 74 the

control do-not-call base 28.

service provider would normally have to use each of the

separate types of software to transfer the information to a

company receives do-not-call requests from individuals. The

30 common format where such information

would

customer company stores the changes and periodically

lutegrated.

the

modifies federally required do-not-call list 76 maintained in

service

the updating database 70. List 76 is, in reality, a more current

provider place

them on a do-not-call list

would be inputted

list of the federally required do-no-call list 48 forming part of

into its separate list 75 by the service provider which is then

do-not-call database 28. In a like manner, customer

integrated in the control computer's database 28].

override/allow lists may change during the day as

However, the federally required do-not-call list 76 and

individuals, for example, request a call from the customer

customer override/allow lists 77 are a product of the indi-

company and, thus, updating do-not-call database 70 main-

vidual customer's business and are periodically changed

~s tains an updating customer override/allow list 77. This is a

during the day. It has been found that the best way for

more current version of the information stored in the cus-

customer companies to forward

information to

the

tomer override/allow list 49 of the control computer do-not-

updating 4° do-not-call database

70 is by means of

the

call database 28. Finally, the private organizations periodi-

Internet.

cally update their list and such updated lists are maintained on

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of the method used to upload

private organization list 78 of the updating do-not-call

information from individual customers

for alteration of

database. This list 78 is the current list corresponding to

the federally

required do-not-call list 76

and the

customer

private organization list 47 on the control computer do-not-

override/allow list 77. A similar program can be used with

call database.

connection of updating the private organization list 78 and

Since it is important for control purposes to keep track

other lists where appropriate.

of ss the customer companies changes in the updating

Each customer is assigned a username and three pass-

database, a list of requested changes 73 is maintained. This

words at initial set up. The passwords permit the customer

historical record is contained in tables that are not

to logon to the server and read data (logan/read password),

necessary for operation in the control computer but must

add data to their "Do Not Call" or Md/Override lists (add

be maintained to verify that the customer has requested

password), and delete data from their "Do Not Call" or

these changes. When the customer requests an addition, a

Md/Override lists (delete password). As seen in FIG. 7, to

record is added to the change request table and to the

update the updating do-not-call

database with

the latest

requested table in this user-interface computer. The date of

customer company information,

the

customer

company

the add request is part of the data entered in the change

logs on to the Internet 80 and loads

the sub.scriber web

request table but not in the requested table. After

page SI, enters the customer name and password 82.

verification that the requested addition has been made to

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent

Sheet 4 of 6

US 6,330,317 Bi

65
Once the customer is accepted onto the system by entering
his correct logon/read password, a page of options on a main
menu is sent to the customer. This company-specific page
shows the company name and other pertinent data to the
customer. The data is read from the database by searching
for the username and reading the customer's corresponding
Customer Number(CN). The only data that the customer is

60 permitted to see is that which is tagged by the CM that is associated with the company's u.sername. If the customer enters a username or password that is not in the database, or

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent

Sheet 4 of 6

US 6,330,317 Bi

US 6,330,317 BI

from the scope and spirit of the appended claims, they

does not correspond with each other in the database, an

are

error

intended to be encompassed therein.

page is sent to the customer and no data is displayed. The

customer cannot obtain access to unauthorized data on any

The claims are:

page because the CM retrieved from the database at logon is

1. A method for blocking outgoing telephone calls for

used to validate the customer's right to have the page loaded

in his internet browser. The validation is in the form of a

number of companies in accordance with one or more

cookie that is placed on the customer's hard disk and lasts

do-not-call lists comprising the steps of:

only for as long as the customer's session lasts. When the

session ends, the cookie disappears. The customer must

reviewing each outgoing telephone call to a telephone

enter a valid password to have the cookie placed on his 10

switch at a

primary switch cluster of a telephone

machine. i~ it is not the correct password the customer is

carrier

brought back to the subscriber web page 81 and asked to

to determine if the telephone call was made from a

enter his name and password 82 again.

telephone subject to call blocking review;

The main menu displays options to add or deLete

holding calls subject to call blocking review while for-

numbers from the customer's "Do Not Call" list or from

the custom- 15 er's Md/override list. There are also options

warding the

origination/destination

pair information

corresponding to the originating telephone number or

to display or download any customer list. If the customer has

AuthCode and the destination telephone number to

entered a

a control computer;

valid add password in addition to a valid uscrnamc and

comparing the destination number to one or more lists

read/logon password, requests to add a number to one of his

lists will be. permitted. If the customer has entered a valid 20

blocked telephone numbers, said lists having

delete password in addition to a valid usemame and rcad/

information

relevant to more than

one company;

logon password, requests to delete a number from one of his

and

lists will be permitted. If it is the correct password, the

dcpending only

on whether the origination/destination

customer is asked to select a list which it desires to update

pair information appears on one or more of the lists,

84. The caller is then presented with an appropriate web ~

either blocking the telephone call

the switch or

page for entry of the data and so enters the data 85. Entry

completing the call.

may be by hand, by forwarding a completed ~ie or by other

means. Then the data 85 is reviewed to see if it is in a valid

2. A method

according to claim

wherein each

format 86. If it is not in a valid format, the customer is sent

telephone

back to reenter the data 85. If it is in a valid format, it is

number or AuihCode corresponding to an originating

then 30 entered 87 into the updating do-not-call database 70.

telephone placing a call subject to blocking review has a

The customer is then queried whether there arc any more

code associated with said number or AuthCode and the

lists to update 88. If so, the customer picks the next list to

numbers on said list or

lists being associated with said

update 89 and enters the appropriate data 85. If there arc no

code so that a telephone number appearing on a do-not-

further lists, the customer breaks the Internet connection 90.

call list will only block a call from a phone having the

The 35 updating do-not-call database is periodically

associated code.

transferred to all control computer do-not-call databases,

3. A method according to cLaim 2 wherein the list or

usually once a day at a time traffic would be at a minimum.

lists contain information

for

two or

more groups of

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram in the process of updating the

telephones from

which

call

originate, each group with

control computer do-not-call database by the information

different identification codes.

contained in the updating do-not-call database 90. First, the

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein one of the

Internet site for receiving updating information from the

lists

customers is closed 91. Thc information in the updating

is a list of blocked numbers compiled by an originating

database 70 is then bulk copied for transfer 92 and the

telephone group.

Internet site is reestablished to allow inputting of data for the

next updating cycle 93. The files are then formatted 94 to

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein one of the

correspond to the control computer do-not-call database.

lists is a list of blocked numbers compiled by other

This may include reorganization and integration of files

than the

such as the state mandated lists with the individual lists 94.

originating telephone group.

The control computer database 28 and 29 arc replaced with

6. A method according to claim S where a destination

the data from the updating database 70.

appears on a list compiled by other than the originating

It is understood that the present embodiments described

telephone group, the number may then be compared with

above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.

an override list which would allow the call to be placed

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to make various

despite appearing on said list compiled by other than the

changes, alterations and modifications to the invention

caller.

dcscnbed herein. For example, while particular lists have been

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the

discussed in the body of this disclosure, other lists may be

destination numbers on the override list are tagged by

included or the databases may comprise entirely different lists

originating caller

than those set forth in the specification. The lists are ~O 60 be

considered illustrative and not restrictive. To the extent that

code and the do-not-call list compiled by other than a

these variations, modifications and alterations depart

group is only overridden when the override number is

tagged with

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent	Sheet 4 of 6		US 6,330,317 Bi
the number of the originating caller code.		switch is a switch which accepts calls from a number of
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the do-not-		telephones, only some of which are		subject to	call
call		blocking review.
lists and the override lists for a group are updated by		10. A method according to claim		9 wherein	said
the		telephone
caller through use of the Internet.		switch is a public switch operated by a common carrier.
ç; 9. A method according to claim I wherein said telephone

** * 4 *

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Patent

Sheet 3 of 6

6,330,317

Dec. 11,2001