Importance

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Abstract

In processing of VoIP calls, a called facility, prior to the cut through of ringing that would alert personnel to the presence of an incoming call, transmits previously stored information that identifies the persons at the called facility that are authorized to handle particular types of calls. In response to the receipt of caller-ID information, the called facility queries a database to determine whether (a) the caller is known and, if so, whether there are particular call handling instructions stored for this caller; and (b) whether the called facility is classified as blocked from participating in called party identification service. If the database response indicates that the called facility participates in called party identification service, the data base sends to the caller, before the call is answered, a list of persons at the called facility who are authorized to answer the call and, advantageously, some indication of what that persons area of responsibility may be. When one of the authorized persons answers the call a brief selection message is transmitted to the caller identifying which of the authorized persons is answering the call. For example, the person answering the call may simply press a button at his telephone corresponding to his name or, in an alternative embodiment, a speech sample from the answering person is analyzed and the selection message is sent based on the speech analysis. In the event that the call is not answered, the caller may, after reviewing the area of responsibility information on the list, select the most appropriate persons on the list to receive a detailed message.

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First Claim