Path: utzoo!telecom-request Date: Tue, 9 Apr 91 21:03:42 -0400 From: Leryo Malbito Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Another Kind of Selective Ringing Message-ID: Organization: TELECOM Digest Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 282, Message 2 of 11 Lines: 116 In Telecom Volume 11 Issue 277, on the subject of a device that would prompt for a DTMF passcode before allowing the call to go through, Jim Coleman writes: > Does anyone know if these are available in any affordable form > (i.e., not part of a huge phone system)? The other day while browsing through a store called The Spy Shop in New York, I picked up a flyer on the counter. I will retype here the entirety of this flyer. 'New' 'Improved' (Snicker - Leryo) LineMinder(tm) ... complete control of your telephone! Now you can take complete control of your telephone. With LINE MINDER(tm):A compact, electronic device that connects to your telephone and automatically screens all incoming calls. When your four digit security number is entered by the caller from a touch tone phone, LINE MINDER(tm) will alert you that an authorized call is waiting. SIMPLE TO SETUP LINE MINDER(tm) is powered by your phone. No special batteries or AC * power adapters are needed. To set it up, you simply switch to the PASSWORD mode and create your own security password using the telephone's keypad. You can use any four numbers, including the * key. LINE MINDER(tm) signals you when your password is accepted. EASY TO OPERATE Once you've entered your password, just turn LINE MINDER(tm) to the ON mode to begin operation. That's all. LINE MINDER(tm) does the rest. Automatically. The LINE MINDER(tm) voice prompts the caller for the password. When the incoming caller enters the correct password, LINE MINDER(tm) signals you with a pleasant, distinctive, intermittent beep. When you lift the receiver, LINE MINDER(tm) stops beeping. And you can begin your conversation. If a wrong password is enteres, LINE MINDER(tm) disconnects the caller. Since LINE MINDER(tm) is password protected, you only get calls from people who have your password. To cease operation, simply switch LINE MINDER(tm) to the OFF mode and all calls will be unscreened and ring the phone. HOME SECURITY LINE MINDER(tm) is phone security that lets you mind your own business -- and stops unwanted callers or intruders from doing the same. LINE MINDER(tm) eliminates: *nuisance calls *obscene calls *threatening calls *wrong numbers *unwanted calls *the need or expense of an unlisted number What's more, this telephone device will never tell strangers that you are not home. LINE MINDER(tm) FEATURES: 1) Voice Response 2) Easy set-up and operation 3) Lightweight, compact, durable construction 4) Manual security set 5) Industry Ringer 6) ON/OFF/Password switch 7) Telephone line powered LINE MINDER(tm) PACKAGING 1) FCC Registered 2) Line cable 3) Password number notices (pad of 50) 4) Approximately 3" x 5" x 1" 5) Weighs less than one pound 6) 100 days of warranty 7) Now with AC/DC power source Whew. As always 'New, Improved!' make me laugh, but this looks like an interesting idea. A major benefit is the idea of never telling strangers that your not home, although I don't personally know any burglars who use this method of calling random numbers then finding out the address, or whatever. A downside: Should Uncle Jaime call from his vacation in Nigeria and enter 7363 instead of 7364, he would be disconnected and charged for the call. According to the flyer, Spy Shop can be reached at: 889 First Avenue, New York, New York 10022 212-755-4900 (and I THINK 800 SPY-Shop ... but I'm not sure.) In general Spy Shop sells bug-detection equipment and will only sell 'bugs' to authorized law enforcement personnell. But they also have various other bizarre stuff, pretty expensive. Should anyone pursue this, please respond here with whatever info the salesman gives you, especially about price, etc. (Which is not given on the flyer). Disclaimer: I am in no way, shape, or form affiliated with 'The Spy Shop'(tm?) and am receiving no reimbursement for this, only hoping to be an aid to fellow netters out there.