Patent US 5,206,900

A device and method for interfacing a telephone to the telephone network is disclosed for receiving the ICLID of incoming telephone calls and responding in a predetermined manner. An ICLID receiver detects the presence or absence of the ICLID of an incoming telephone call, and receives the ICLID if present. In accordance with predetermined instructions and with the absence of an ICLID or the presence and identity of the ICLID, the device may acknowledge receipt of the ICLID to the incoming caller by generating a brief confirmation tone at minimum charge to the calling party, cause the incoming call to be answered or not answered, and may forward the incoming ICLID information to a predetermined location over the telephone network or by other means.