Inventors:
Moshe Rozenblit - Middletown NJ
Assignee:
Bell Communications Research, Inc. - Morristown NJ
International Classification:
H04M 157
H04M 342
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivering calling line information in a manner which preserves the privacy interests of the caller while providing useful information to the called party. The caller initiates a call from a caller terminal of a communication network. A destination central office or other network element receives the call along with a complete calling line number and delivers partial calling line information to the called party prior to connecting the call. The partial calling line information may include an NPA-NXX portion of an NPA-NXX-XXXX calling line number, geographical information such as state, county, city, township and zip code associated with the calling line, and/or an indication as to whether the call is from a residence, business, pay phone, cellular phone or other particular source such as a hospital or hotel. The central office or other network element may store the full calling line number in an incoming call log maintained for the called party, and a name selected by the called party may be associated with the calling line number. The central office will then deliver the selected name as part of the partial calling information when subsequent calls are placed from the calling line to the called party.