Automatic answering telephone system

Abstract

A system and method is disclosed for automatically answering and playing a desired telephone call from a desired calling party. In one embodiment, the called telephone is a cellular phone with a speaker or headset for use in a car. The called party is located and local traffic conditions are report to the called party over the speaker or headset of the called party's telephone which automatically answers the incoming call as a desired phone call. In other embodiments, information requested comprises concierge services, reminder services or intermittent and/or periodic announcements of desired information.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for providing control of telecommunications network services by a called party comprising: 
 a) means for receiving an incoming call at a called party receiver from a calling party,    b) means for identifying the incoming call,    c) means for determining if the number of the incoming call is a desired number, and    d) means for automatically answering the incoming call if the number of the incoming call is a desired number.    
     
     
         2 . The system of    claim 1    further comprising a means for determining the geographical location of the called party.  
     
     
         3 . The system of    claim 2    wherein the means for determining the geographical location of the called party is a Global Positioning System (GPS).  
     
     
         4 . The system of    claim 2    wherein the geographical location of the called party is determined by Time difference of Arrival (TDOA).  
     
     
         5 . The system of    claim 2    wherein the geographical location of the called party is determined by triangulation.  
     
     
         6 . The system of    claim 1    wherein the called party receiver is a telephone.  
     
     
         7 . The system of    claim 6    wherein the telephone comprises a speaker.  
     
     
         8 . The system of    claim 6    wherein the telephone comprises a headset.  
     
     
         9 . The system of    claim 8    wherein the headset comprises only one earpiece.  
     
     
         10 . The system of    claim 1    wherein the means for identifying the incoming call comprises caller ID.  
     
     
         11 . The system of    claim 1    wherein the means for determining if the number of the incoming call is a desired number compares the number of the incoming call to a list of desired numbers.  
     
     
         12 . The system of    claim 11    wherein the list of desired numbers comprises numbers preprogrammed into the called party receiver.  
     
     
         13 . The system of    claim 11    wherein the list of desired numbers comprises numbers input into the called party receiver by a calling service.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 11    wherein the list of desired numbers comprises numbers input into the called party receiver by the called party.  
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 14    wherein inputting desired numbers into the called party receiver comprises direct input or input via a computer.  
     
     
         16 . A method for providing control of telecommunications network services by a called party comprising the steps of: 
 a) receiving an incoming call at a called party receiver from a calling party,    b) identifying the incoming call,    c) determining if the number of the incoming call is a desired number, and    d) answering the incoming call if the number of the incoming call is a desired number,    wherein said step of answering the incoming call is performed automatically.    
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 16    further comprising determining the geographical location of the called party.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 17    wherein the geographical location of the called party is determined by a Global Positioning System (GPS).  
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 17    wherein the geographical location of the called party is determined by Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA).  
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 17    wherein the geographical location of the called party is determined by triangulation.  
     
     
         21 . The method of    claim 16    wherein the called party receiver is a telephone.  
     
     
         22 . The method of    claim 21    wherein the telephone comprises a speaker.  
     
     
         23 . The method of    claim 21    wherein the telephone comprises a headset.  
     
     
         24 . The method of    claim 23    wherein the headset comprises only one earpiece.  
     
     
         25 . The method of    claim 16    wherein the incoming is received periodically.  
     
     
         26 . The method of    claim 16    wherein identifying the incoming call comprises using caller ID.  
     
     
         27 . The method of    claim 16    wherein determining if the number of the incoming call is a desired number comprises comparing the number of the incoming call to a list of desired numbers.  
     
     
         28 . The method of    claim 27    wherein the list of desired numbers comprises numbers preprogrammed into the called party receiver.  
     
     
         29 . The method of    claim 27    wherein the list of desired numbers comprises numbers input into the called party receiver by a calling service.  
     
     
         30 . The method of    claim 27    wherein the list of desired numbers comprises numbers input into the called party receiver by the called party.  
     
     
         31 . The method of    claim 30    wherein inputting desired numbers into the called party receiver comprises direct input or input via a computer.  
     
     
         32 . A method for providing control of telecommunications network services by a called party located in a mobile vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) receiving an incoming call at a called party receiver from a calling party, said called party receiver located in a mobile vehicle,    b) identifying the incoming call,    c) determining if the number of the incoming call is a desired number, and    d) answering the incoming call if the number of the incoming call is a desired number,    wherein said step of answering the incoming call is performed automatically.    
     
     
         33 . The method of    claim 32    wherein the calling party is a traffic notification service.  
     
     
         34 . The method of    claim 33    wherein the traffic notification service provides data comprising traffic conditions.  
     
     
         35 . The method of    claim 34    wherein the data further comprises alternate driving routes.  
     
     
         36 . The method of    claim 32    wherein the calling party is a concierge service.  
     
     
         37 . The method of    claim 36    wherein the concierge service provides data comprising a requested notification.  
     
     
         38 . The method of    claim 37    wherein the concierge service comprises a database of desired criteria information and wherein the concierge service provides data comprising a requested notification if at least one of the desired criteria is met.  
     
     
         39 . The method of    claim 32    wherein the calling party is a reminder service.  
     
     
         40 . The method of    claim 39    wherein the reminder service provides data comprising a requested reminder.  
     
     
         41 . The method of    claim 40    wherein the reminder service comprises a database of desired criteria information and wherein the reminder service provides data comprising a requested reminder if at least one of the desired criteria is met.  
     
     
         42 . The method of    claim 32    further comprising determining the geographical location of the called party.  
     
     
         43 . The method of    claim 42    wherein the geographical location of the called party is determined by a Global Positioning System (GPS).  
     
     
         44 . The method of    claim 42    wherein the geographical location of the called party is determined by Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA).  
     
     
         45 . The method of    claim 42    wherein the geographical location of the called party is determined by triangulation.  
     
     
         46 . The method of    claim 32    wherein the called party receiver is a telephone.  
     
     
         47 . The method of    claim 46    wherein the telephone comprises a speaker.  
     
     
         48 . The method of    claim 46    wherein the telephone comprises a headset.  
     
     
         49 . The method of    claim 48    wherein the headset comprises only one earpiece.  
     
     
         50 . The method of    claim 32    wherein identifying the incoming call comprises using caller ID.  
     
     
         51 . The method of    claim 32    wherein determining if the number of the incoming call is a desired number comprises comparing the number of the incoming call to a list of desired numbers.  
     
     
         52 . The method of    claim 51    wherein the list of desired numbers comprises numbers preprogrammed into the called party receiver.  
     
     
         53 . The method of    claim 51    wherein the list of desired numbers comprises numbers input into the called party receiver by a calling service.  
     
     
         54 . The method of    claim 51    wherein the list of desired numbers comprises numbers input into the called party receiver by the called party.  
     
     
         55 . The method of    claim 54    wherein inputting desired numbers into the called party receiver comprises direct input or input via a computer.