Joe,
We use something like this in our home, and it has been really great to have. We have
a homebrew system that integrates with our Panasonic PBX.
Here is how we do it:
We use a home automation system called ECS. We capture the Caller ID data from a Vive
Caller ID to Serial converter, and send it to the ECS computer.
ECS looks at the 10 digit number. If we have pre-programmed the number (not hard to
do) it announces what we have entered into the computer. So AmarComSvc becomes
"Amarillo Commercial Services", and Smith D B becomes "Grandma".
The ECS box has a text to speech converter. It calls our to a Panasonic group number
from an extension port. This group of phones announces "Grandma is
calling,,,,,,Grandma is calling" in the middle of the second ring.
We have the Pana system to ring the phones on the 2nd ring. Thus we are getting the
Caller ID at about the same time we hear a ring for the first time, sometimes before
we hear the first ring. This makes sure we get a CID on all calls for SMDR purposes.
If we don't have the number on file, ECS uses the text from the CID string so we might
get "Jones Jerry is calling,,,,Jones Jerry is calling", or worst case scenario "A B C
Nat L Bank is calling".
About 99% of our calls come from 5% of our callers, so we do OK.
We also use the ECS system to dump some calls into the "Trash Can Routine". Known
call pests such as telemarketers, the credit card agency that pesters our baby sitter
(and amazingly calls at our home) , and such are given "special" handling. These calls
don't ring through, don't get announced, and get a computer voice message "Our phone
system has your number blocked. If you have a need to contact us, please contact us by
mail. Thank you. <hangup>"
We have had this in place since about 1995 or 1996. At this point we are dependent on
it. If the call is for one of the kids, I let them pick it up unless it rings 2 or 3
more times. We don't page bedrooms with CID....just daytime areas like the living
room, kitchen garage, etc. So we don't get disturbed if we take a nap during the day.
Visitors still give this a "cool" rating. Even though CID has been out for years now,
there are very few systems that announce the caller, and almost none that do what ours
does.
BTW, the Panasonic PBX also has the CID option installed so the info is on the phone
display as well in case we are not within earshot of the announcement.
Cheers,
William Biggs
----- Original Message -----
From: Joseph Schwartz
To: kxthelp
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 9:33 PM
Subject: KX-T: Am I the only one?
Am I the only one trying to use the "System Caller Name Announce"?
I would have thought this would be a very popular option, yet I haven't found anyone
using it or able to advise me about it's use. I am begining to wonder if it even works
at all
Joe
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