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I don't just want robocalls killed. I don't want calls from politicians, charities, pollsters or any other exempt organizations either. I don't want calls from
by bstpierre 14y ago
I don't just want robocalls killed. I don't want calls from politicians, charities, pollsters or any other exempt organizations either. I don't want calls from the debt collectors trying to reach the person who used to have my number. For me, and people like me, a telco-based solution won't work because they have to adhere to the regulations that have these giant exemptions.
In volume, you could make a device for landlines for probably <$50. Connect the device to the primary incoming line. Connect phone(s) to the device.
User dials #4321 (some non-secret activation code, printed in instructions and sticker on device) from house phone. Follows prompts to record (a) his name, (b) names of other individuals at the house, (c) one or more bogus names. May also follow prompt to enable a bypass code. May also follow prompts to add CID numbers to whitelist (see below; this is for DESIRABLE robocalls, e.g. from the school district in case of emergency or school cancellation). User hangs up; device is programmed.
Incoming call, 2 rings, CID/CNAM captured (FWIW), house phones do not ring. Device answers: "Calls may be recorded. Press 1 for Bogus John, 2 for Real Alice, 3 for Real Bob, 4 for Bogus Carol". Caller presses 1/4, "Please leave a message after the tone", tone plays, incoming voice goes to /dev/null for 10s, call is dropped. Caller presses 2/3, house phones ring, stored CID/CNAM is provided.
If the incoming caller uses the bypass code, the call goes straight through.
Bonus: distinctive ring for Alice vs Bob.
Bonus: after an annoying human caller "leaks" through, user can hang up, pick back up, and dial #5432 [some other non-secret access code]. Incoming CID put on block list. Calls from blocked numbers are unanswered (will go to VM if user subscribes to VM from telco).
Bonus: similar to blacklist, user can dial #2222 (for "whitelist to Alice") or #3333 ("whitelist to Bob") to whitelist a just-received call. Whitelisted calls immediately go through. DR means that I don't have to check CID to know it's my MIL calling for wife. Numbers can be whitelisted during programming (see above) because desirable robocalls (e.g. kids' school) will otherwise never get through and can't get #2222 treatment.
Bonus: pressing ## (or some other code) during a call starts a recording. Saved as <cid>-<date/time>.wav to removable flash or USB on the device.
Bonus: insert flash/USB, dial #9876 from house phone. Device upgrades itself from the flash.