Preliminary communication identification

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for preliminary communication identification and caller ID text messaging is disclosed. The systems receive text entry from a caller for a short text message to be sent in conjunction with the incoming call signal. The text message is updated between rings. The system is suitable for communicating the text message of the received incoming signal without indicating reception of the received signal to the caller.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for preliminary communication identification, comprising: 
 a receiver for receiving a signal from a remote source, wherein the signal includes at least one of video conferencing data, digital data, and analog data;    a network connection for at least one of receiving and transmitting the signal from the remote source over a network connection, wherein the network connection includes at least one of a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet, Internet service provider (ISP), World Wide Web, telephone line, satellite system, and wireless system; and    a communicator for communicating the received signal;    wherein the communicator is suitable for communicating the received signal without indicating reception of the received signal to the remote source; and    wherein the signal includes either an image of a second user utilizing the remote source or a text message by the second user so as to enable a first user utilizing the apparatus to view the remote second user or receive said text message.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein a first user utilizing the apparatus may decide whether to interact with the signal based upon the communication of the signal including an image of a remote second user.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the receiver determines a common mode of operation to enable a connection between a host and the remote source.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the signal is standardized.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the receiver optimizes a connection between the host system and the remote source.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a network connection for at least one of receiving and transmitting the signal from the remote source over a network connection.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a router for routing the signal.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as described in  claim 9 , wherein router routes the signal based upon at least one of user input, type of signal, and data contained in the signal.  
     
     
         9 . A method for preliminary communication messaging or identification, the method comprising: 
 accepting a text message entered by a calling party;    receiving, over a network connection, a signal associated with an incoming call from the calling party to a call recipient, wherein the signal is standardized and includes the text message in conjunction with signaling data for at least one of video conferencing data, digital data, and analog data; and    communicating the text message of the received signal by the host system, wherein the text message is communicated by displaying the text message for the call recipient;    wherein the received signal is displayed on the host system for the call recipient without indicating reception of the received signal to the calling party; and    wherein a first user may decide whether to interact with the calling party via the signal based upon the customized message included in the text message.    
     
     
         10 . The method as described in  claim 9 , wherein the text message is in short block caller ID messaging format.  
     
     
         11 . The method as described in  claim 10 , wherein the short block caller ID messaging format comprises blocks of ten or fewer alphanumeric characters.  
     
     
         12 . The method as described in  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 accepting an input from the call recipient indicating a return message to be sent to the calling party.    
     
     
         13 . The method as described in  claim 12 , wherein the return message is created by the calling after receiving the signal associated with the incoming call.  
     
     
         14 . The method as described in  claim 10 , wherein the text message includes a customized message associated with either the calling party or a topic of the call.