System and methods for providing anonymous telephone communications
First Claim
1. A method for initiating voice communication between first and second members of an online community using a member database comprising identities of members and screening data associated with respective members, the screening data comprising parameters selected by the respective members regarding to incoming voice communications from other members, the method comprising:
- receiving a call request from the first member, the call request identifying the second member;
searching the member database for screening data associated with the second member;
validating the call request based upon the screening data associated with the second member; and
initiating voice communication between the first and second members, while withholding personal contact information of the first and second members from each another.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for anonymous voice communications between members of an online community includes a server, a member database, and a switch. The server receives a call request from a first member identifying a second member. The server searches the member database for screening data associated with the second member, and the call request is validated based upon the screening data. The screening data may include a preferred member list, geographic proximity restrictions, personal or demographic preferences, and/or time restrictions, which may be compared to the profile of the first member to determine whether to authorize the call request. Once validated, a call notice is sent to the second member, identifying the first member and requesting acceptance of the call request. If accepted, telephone numbers of the members are obtained, e.g., from the member database, and the switch connects the members via a telecommunications network.
48 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method for initiating voice communication between first and second members of an online community using a member database comprising identities of members and screening data associated with respective members, the screening data comprising parameters selected by the respective members regarding to incoming voice communications from other members, the method comprising:
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receiving a call request from the first member, the call request identifying the second member;
searching the member database for screening data associated with the second member;
validating the call request based upon the screening data associated with the second member; and
initiating voice communication between the first and second members, while withholding personal contact information of the first and second members from each another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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19. A method for initiating a voice communication between a first member of an online community and other members of the online community, the method comprising:
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submitting a search request to a server system having access to a member database, the search request comprising one or more profile parameters;
receiving a list of member identifiers from the server system, each of the member identifiers identifying members at least partially matching the one or more profile parameters;
submitting a call request to the server system for validation, the call request comprising a member identifier of a second member included in the list of member identifiers; and
receiving an acknowledgement from the server system whether the second member is willing to receive voice communications from the first member.
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26. A system for providing anonymous voice communication between members of an online community, comprising:
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a member database comprising member identifiers identifying members of the online community including first and second members and screening data associated with respective members, the screening data comprising parameters selected by the respective members regarding to incoming voice communications from other members;
an interface for receiving a call request from the first member, the call request identifying the second member;
a validation module for reviewing screening data of the second member to confirm authorization from the second member to receive a voice communication from the first member; and
a switch connectable to a voice communications network, the switch configured for initiating voice communication between the first and second members via the voice communications network after the call request has been validated by the validation module.
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Specification