Method and system for termination blocking of message delivery service

Abstract

A method ( 20 ) and system ( 50 ) is provided that permits a telephone caller to leave a message for a called party that does not have a conventional answering service, such as voice mail, an answering machine, a third-party operator-assisted answering service, or the like. A configurable blocking mechanism is also provided, permitting parties to prevent the message delivery service from being offered to callers attempting to reach them. The method ( 20 ) and system ( 50 ) can be implemented using an advanced intelligent network (AIN). In an AIN environment, the blocking mechanism can include a switch control point (SCP) ( 58 ) configured to access a termination blocking list ( 60 ). The termination blocking list ( 60 ) can be an SCP database file containing entries representing called parties who have blocked the message delivery service.

1 . A method comprising preventing a service from being offered to a caller of a called party at the called party's request, wherein the service records a voice message from the caller after a no-answer condition for subsequent delivery to the called party.  
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 recording a voice message from the caller if the called party does not request that the service be prevented from being offered.    
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 1  further comprising receiving a request from the called party to prevent the service from being offered.  
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 3 , wherein a service management system adds the called party to a list in response to the request.  
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 4  further comprising determining if the called party is included in the list if the called party has not answered a call after a predetermined time.  
     
     
         6 . The invention of  claim 4 , wherein the list comprises caller-ID information.  
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 4 , wherein the list comprises names.  
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 4 , wherein the list comprises numbers.  
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein a service control point performs the preventing.  
     
     
         10 . Computer-readable media comprising a software component that prevents a service from being offered to a caller of a called party if the called party opts out of the service, wherein the service records a voice message from the caller after a no-answer condition for subsequent delivery to the called party.  
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 10 , wherein the software component is further operative to record a voice message from the caller if the called party does not request that the service be prevented from being offered.  
     
     
         12 . The invention of  claim 10 , wherein the software component is further operative to receive a request from the called party to prevent the service from being offered.  
     
     
         13 . The invention of  claim 12 , wherein the software component is further operative to add the called party to a list in response to the request.  
     
     
         14 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein the software component is further operative to determine if the called party is included in the list if the called party has not answered a call after a predetermined time.  
     
     
         15 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein the list comprises caller-ID information.  
     
     
         16 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein the list comprises names.  
     
     
         17 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein the list comprises numbers.  
     
     
         18 . The invention of  claim 10 , wherein the software component is part of a service control point.