Call prevention device and method

Abstract

A call prevention device. The device includes a caller ID detection unit for detecting caller ID data transmitted over a telecommunication network before a connection is established when a call is made by a calling party. The device also includes a processing unit in communication with the caller ID detection unit for retrieving a caller profile from a caller profile database in response to the caller ID data and for comparing the caller profile with the caller ID data, the processing unit further for incrementing a call total value when the caller profile and the caller ID data match favorably, and the processing unit further for generating a message when the call total value exceeds a user defined value.

1 . A call prevention device, comprising: 
 a caller ID detection unit for detecting caller ID data transmitted over a telecommunication network before a connection is established when a call is made by a calling party; and    a processing unit in communication with the caller ID detection unit for retrieving a caller profile from a caller profile database in response to the caller ID data and for comparing the caller profile with the caller ID data, the processing unit further for incrementing a call total value when the caller profile and the caller ID data match favorably, and the processing unit further for generating a message when the call total value exceeds a user defined value.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is further for allowing the call to proceed to a call connecting device when the call total value does not exceed the user defined value.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the call connecting device includes a telephone set.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the call connecting device includes a computer.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the caller ID data include at least a caller name and a caller number.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an accepted caller database for permitting a call from an accepted caller to bypass routing of the processing unit so as to continue the call through a connecting device.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is further for supplementing the caller profile with the caller ID data.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting device includes a telephone set.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting device includes a computer.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the message includes an audible warning.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the audible warning includes at least the caller ID data and the total call value.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the processing unit is further for disconnecting the call after the audible warning is issued to the calling party.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is further for transferring the call to an answering device if a connection is not established.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a messaging unit.  
     
     
         15 . A call prevention device which is adapted to be in communication with a telecommunication network, the call prevention device comprising: 
 a caller ID detection unit for detecting caller ID data transmitted over the telecommunication network while a connection is established with a first call on a first line when a second call is made by a second caller on a second line; and    a processing unit in communication with the caller ID detection unit for retrieving a caller profile from a caller profile database in response to the caller ID data received and for comparing the caller profile with the caller ID data, the processing unit further for incrementing a call total value when the caller profile and the caller ID data match favorably, and the processing unit further for generating a message when the call total value exceeds a user defined value.    
     
     
         16 . A method of processing a call, comprising: 
 detecting caller ID data;    comparing the caller ID data to a caller profile in a caller profile database;    routing the call in response to the comparison; and    responding with an audible message when an unfavorable comparison of the caller ID data the caller profile happens.    
     
     
         17 . The method of processing a call as described in  claim 16 , further comprising creating a list of caller accepted profiles for allowing an accepted caller to bypass the audible message.