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Embodiments of the present invention include a caller identification system and method for identifying a caller with a partial phone number look-up table. The caller identification system comprises a database that stores received calls and can be personalized to include information specific to parti

Embodiments of the present invention include a caller identification system and method for identifying a caller with a partial phone number look-up table. The caller identification system comprises a database that stores received calls and can be personalized to include information specific to partial phone numbers. In one embodiment, the caller identification system disclosed can be integrated into a cellular phone. In this embodiment, an incoming call initiates a search in a database to retrieve information about the caller. If a match is found, the identity of the caller is displayed. When an exact match is not found, a search for a partial match is executed with wild card values and information about the partial match is displayed. Information for a partial match can be personalized or pre-programmed into the caller ID system such as the city associated with a particular area code or prefix.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A caller identification system comprising: a communication interface for receiving at least part of a partial phone number associated with an incoming telephone call from a telephone external to the communication interface; a memory for storing a database comprising at least

What is claimed is: 1. A caller identification system comprising: a communication interface for receiving at least part of a partial phone number associated with an incoming telephone call from a telephone external to the communication interface; a memory for storing a database comprising at least one partial phone number and a corresponding identifier; a processor for determining if said phone number of said incoming telephone call matches at least one partial phone number in said database and, if so, for retrieving its associated identifier; and a display for displaying the associated identifier, wherein the communication interface is also for sending the associated identifier to the telephone external to the communication interface. 2. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the associated identifier is a geographic location determined by an area code. 3. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the associated identifier is a cellular carrier responsible for an area code and a prefix. 4. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the associated identifier is a city determined by an area code and a prefix. 5. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the associated identifier is a text string associated with an area code, a prefix and at least one subsequent numeric digit. 6. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the database is pre-programmed with generic data. 7. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the database is user customizable. 8. A system as described in claim 1, further comprising a ring-tone generator for generating one of a plurality of ring tones in accordance with the associated identifier. 9. A system as described in claim 1, further comprising a tone generator for generating a tone when a match is found between the incoming phone number and the database. 10. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the communication interface uses a wireless communication channel. 11. In an electronic system, a method for providing caller information comprising: a) receiving a partial phone number of an incoming phone call from an external telephone; b) indexing a database stored in a memory for a match with said at least part of said phone number, the database having a plurality of partial phone numbers each with an associated identifier; c) accessing an identifier associated with said match of b); d) displaying said identifier of c); and e) sending the said identifier of c) to the external telephone. 12. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the associated identifier is a geographic location determined by an area code. 13. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the associated identifier is a cellular carrier responsible for an area code and a prefix. 14. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the associated identifier is a city determined by an area code and a prefix. 15. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the associated identifier is a text string associated with an area code, a prefix and at least one subsequent numeric digit. 16. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the database is pre-programmed with generic data. 17. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the database is user customizable. 18. A method as described in claim 11, further comprising generating one of a plurality of ring tones in accordance with the associated identifier. 19. A method as described in claim 11, further comprising generating a tone when a match is found between the incoming phone number and the database. 20. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the at least part of a phone number is received using a wireless communication channel.