Setup using 2 answering machines 1 for good and 1 for bad

[James]

To send blocked calls to a certain answering machine and to send good calls to a different one use the following. Connect the answering machine for the bad/blocked calls to the answering machine port on the back of the person-to-person device. Connect the second answering machine to the phone port and the phone to the second answering machine. This is where all the good/unblocked calls will be sent. Set the answering machine connect to the answering machine port to answer on as few a number of ring as it can be set to (this does not have to be done but is recommended). Follow the remainder of the instructions to prevent good/unblocked calls from going to the answering machine port. This setup will also work with Voicemail users.

Follow the instructions below.

Step 1 ) (A) Go to the menu item area code and set the to 000 (See Page 13-14 in the manual) (B) Then wait for the display to return to the time.

Step 2 ) (A) Pick up the phone connected to the Person-To-Person Device and Enter “1#” -- the display will show outgoing call 1H (B) Hang up and wait for the time.

Step 3 ) (A) Pick up the phone connected to the Person-To-Person Device and Enter “2#” -- the display will show outgoing call 2H (B) Hang up and wait for the time.

Step 4 ) (A) Pick up the phone connected to the Person-To-Person Device and Enter “3#” -- the display will show outgoing call 3H (B) Hang up and wait for the time.

Step 5 ) (A) Pick up the phone connected to the Person-To-Person Device and Enter “4#” -- the display will show outgoing call 4H (B) Hang up and wait for the time.

Step 6 ) (A) Pick up the phone connected to the Person-To-Person Device and Enter “5#” -- the display will show outgoing call 5H (B) Hang up and wait for the time.

Step 7 ) (A) Pick up the phone connected to the Person-To-Person Device and Enter “6#” -- the display will show outgoing call 6H (B) Hang up and wait for the time.

Step 8 ) (A) Pick up the phone connected to the Person-To-Person Device and Enter “7#” -- the display will show outgoing call 7H (B) Hang up and wait for the time.

Step 9 ) (A) Pick up the phone connected to the Person-To-Person Device and Enter “8#” -- the display will show outgoing call 8H (B) Hang up and wait for the time.

Step 10 ) (A) Pick up the phone connected to the Person-To-Person Device and Enter “9#” -- the display will show outgoing call 9H (B) Hang up and wait for the time.

Then save each of the 1 thru 9 numbers into the database (See page 20) and set them for phone port only and NOT the answering machine. To do this, follow the instructions below.

Step 1) Press the FORWARD button and display should read

OUTGOING CALL
1H

Step 2) Press the SELECT button until the icons in the lower right hand corner display only the phone and not the answering machine

Step 3) Press the SAVE button and display should read, "Database save ok!"
You must do this for all the numbers you entered

[blockit]

James:

Would the above procedure be, in effect, a solution for the problem I was experiencing I described in the following thread:


Thread title: "All '866-' numbers being routed to answering machine port"
http://forums.interceptorid.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=314

...taking into effect that I don't have an answering machine connected to the answering machine port (which is a moot point in this case, I believe.)


To summarize the problem I had in that thread: I had multiple different 866- numbers with matching names in my database, thus causing newly received different 866- numbers to be routed as the stored ones were being routed (because most, if not all, 866- numbers I receive are reported by the name of "NOT PROVIDED".)

For the record, what you recommended about always programming blocked calls by hand (i.e., dialing them as Outgoing Calls and then routing them to the answering machine port) was priceless; I took it to heart, and I now don't have the problem any longer.

But if I followed your procedure above, I wouldn't have to program blocked calls by hand -- I could go back to just routing them as they came in as a NIC, correct? It's an issue of convenience here, basically.

Thanks,
-blockit

P.S. Also, would I have to keep the P2P internal area code set at "000" after entering the numbers? My guess is no.

[James]

Yes it should.

[Eric]

Hi James,

Thank you for the invaluable info.

I am setting up a system very much like what you have described, with a silent answerer to pick up unidentified calls (both out of area & private) and problem calls (e.g. telemarketers, repeated unrecognized calls with no messages), and a combo phone/ answerer for preferred calls and unrecognized calls. I will be using some prefix-based wildcard entries, and I'm not sure how the P2P will handle calls with no exact numeric match in the database but multiple wildcard matches (e.g. matching both 8# and 817555#). I thought I read somewhere that P2P just uses whatever wildcard match it finds first, so I've designed an alternate approach to what you've described and wonder whether this would also work...

In another thread in this forum ( viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14 ) you mention that setting call screen mode to simple will route all calls with neither name nor number to just the answerer port, which is where my silent answerer will be connected. In a followup post to that thread, you mention that database entries always override the call screen mode. Assuming I put my combo phone/ answerer on the P2P phone port, set my combo phone/ answerer to pick up on say four rings, and set the silent answerer to pick up on five or more rings, this is what I'm hoping will happen...

- out of area & private calls are all routed via call screen mode to silent answerer, and my phone never rings
- problem calls are routed via database (with exact or wildcard numeric matches) to silent answerer, and my phone never rings
- all other calls, including preferred calls and unrecognized calls, use default routing to all devices; in this case my combo unit rings and, if I don't pick it up, answers the call for me since it is set to pick up on fewer rings than the silent answerer

Would this setup work as I have theorized? And can I count on simple call screen mode to route *both* out of area and private calls to just the answerer port? This would be a really elegant solution for minimizing disturbances in my home while assuring I don't miss anything important.

Thank you for a terrific product and for your expert support.

Eric

[James]

I will be using some prefix-based wildcard entries, and I'm not sure how the P2P will handle calls with no exact numeric match in the database but multiple wildcard matches (e.g. matching both 8# and 817555#). I thought I read somewhere that P2P just uses whatever wildcard match it finds first, so I've designed an alternate approach to what you've described and wonder whether this would also work...

Let me clarify how the unit matches multiply wildcard entries. The wildcard with the most digits will authority. For example if you have 8# set to be blocked and 817# to be allowed then all calls starting with 8 with the exception of 817s will be blocked. So if 800-555-5555 calls you it will be blocked and if 817-555-5555 calls you it will be allowed.

Would this setup work as I have theorized?

It should, i see no problems with it.

And can I count on simple call screen mode to route *both* out of area and private calls to just the answerer port?

For the most part yes. However there are some exceptions. In some very rare cases we have seen Out of Areas been passed as Text strings and not the caller id data codes. In this case it would not be blocked. Also if a call is "Out of Area" with a number attached it will be treated as a non out of area call. Lastly in the event of a power outage and the unit resets its default screen mode is OFF and not the last screen mode it was in.

[Eric]

Thank you, James - very clear and very helpful.

Your explanation of how wildcard matches are prioritized clears up the main uncertainty I had about the approach you described, and your spelling out some limitations of simple call screening mode (especially its reverting to off after a power failure) reveal distinct advantages of your approach over mine. Armed with this new information, I will revisit whether I can achieve my desired result building on your approach.

Thanks again.

P.S. What does the area code 000 contribute to your solution?

[James]

P.S. What does the area code 000 contribute to your solution?

To be honest i forgot. I just remember it had to do with some odd bug and it does't always work correctly if you do not change it.