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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxt!mhuxv!mhuxa!houxm!ihnp4!cbosgd!mark
From: mark@cbosgd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Transmission of caller's phone number to called phone
Message-ID: <310@cbosgd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 14-Sep-83 12:51:20 EDT
Article-I.D.: cbosgd.310
Posted: Wed Sep 14 12:51:20 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 15-Sep-83 06:50:22 EDT
References: <1041@utcsstat.UUCP>, <562@ihuxl.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Labs, Columbus
Lines: 30

So, since we're talking about some fantasy phone system of the
future where upward compatibility isn't an issue, why not add
two two-position switches to each phone:
1) I am willing to accept anonymous calls (yes/no)
2) I want calls placed from here to be labelled anonymous (yes/no)

Typically, a place of business or someone who loves to talk on the
phone would set sw1 to yes, but many busy private persons would set
their residential sw1 to no.  Similarly, unlisted phone numbers would
probably set sw2 to yes, but most others would set it to no.  Then,
when the error condition occurs (called sw1=no, calling sw2=yes), the
calling phone would get a recording "the party you have called will
not accept anonymous calls", and the called party would never know
there had been a call.  The caller has the choice of moving the switch
or not placing the call.

While we're dreaming, how about some more status information on the
phone, in the form of some extra LED's:
	a) The call is from a coin phone
	b) The call is long distance
	c) The call is from a business phone (as opposed to residence)
	d) The call is an "emergency" (so designated by the caller hitting
	   some button before dialing)
	e) The call is for sales purposes (required by law, perhaps)
and some alphanumeric info
	f) The calling number (for tracing purposes)
	g) Who the calling number is registered to (much more useful
	   than memorizing everyone's phone number)
	h) The caller can optionally key in their name, in case they are
	   calling from somewhere other than home.