Method and apparatus for providing information in response to the grant of a subscriber's permission

• US 20060166646A1
• Filed: 01/20/2006
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Resource Consortium Limited, LLC
• Original Assignee: Resource Consortium Limited
• Inventors: Roach, Peter O. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,718,605 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0407 wherein the identity of one or more communicating identities is hidden cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for anonymous credentials or for identity based cryptographic systems H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6009 Personal information, e.g. profiles or personal directories being only provided to authorised persons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0048 where the text-based messaging service is a Short Message Service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/10 between location register and external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/16 selectively restricting mobility data tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/186 Processing of subscriber group data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

Confirmation of a mobile subscriber'"'"'s permission to release their personal information is completed prior to transmitting the information to a requesting party. The mobile subscriber can view the requesting party'"'"'s identity prior to making a decision to release their directory information. In the alternative, the mobile subscriber can contact the requesting party directly without a release of their personal information. Other types of information, such as location information, can also be communicated to a requesting party by this permission grant methodology.

Claims

1. A method for offering information services, comprising the steps of

receiving a query based on a request from a requesting party for information about a mobile subscriber of a mobile telephone network,

responsive to the query, issuing a permission release request to a mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber, the permission release request seeking permission for release of the requested information on behalf of the requesting party;

and

releasing the requested information for distribution to the requesting party in response to receipt of a permission release response output by the mobile communication device, the permission release response providing permission for communication of the requested information to the requesting party.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining the status of the mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber by obtaining status information from a customer data base maintained by the mobile telephone network, in advance of issuing the permission release request, to facilitate communications with the mobile communication device.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of determining an appropriate manner for communicating with the mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber based on the status information obtained from the customer data base.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the requested information comprises directory assistance information relevant to the mobile subscriber, the directly assistance information comprising at least one of location information, telephone number, address, and other information specific to the mobile subscriber.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the permission release request comprises at least one of an identity of the requesting party and a telephone number for the requesting party.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the permission release response is output by the mobile communication device in response to an automated decision made by logic of the mobile communication device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the permission release response is output by the mobile communication device in response to a decision made by the mobile subscriber based on interactions with a user interface of the mobile communication device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the permission release response is output by the mobile communication device in response to a decision made by the mobile subscriber as a result of a presentation by a user interface of the mobile communication device, the presentation providing an identity of the requesting party.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the requested information is distributed to the requesting party in the form comprising one of the following:

a text message transmitted to the a mobile communication device of the requesting party;

an integrated voice response device (IVR) speaking the requested information to the requesting party, an operator calling the requesting party with the requested information;

a web page presenting the requested information;

a video message transmitted to the mobile communication device of the requesting party;

a multimedia message transmitted to the mobile communication device of the requesting party; and

an electronic mail message presenting the requested information.

10. A method for communicating information, comprising the steps of:

receiving a query at a directory assistance system from a requesting party for information about a mobile subscriber of a mobile telephone network,

determining that the requested information is not available at the directory assistance system;

issuing a query to an information system from the directory assistance system for the requested information, the information system operating independent of the directory assistance system and the mobile telephone network;

responsive to the query issued by the directory assistance system, issuing a permission release request from the information system to a mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber, the permission release request seeking permission for release of the requested information on behalf of the requesting party; and

releasing the requested information from the information system to the directory assistance system, for distribution to the requesting party, in response to receipt by the information system of a permission release response output by the mobile communication device, the permission release response providing permission for communication of at least a portion of the requested information to the requesting party.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the requested information comprises directory assistance information relevant to the mobile subscriber, the directly assistance information comprising at least one of location information, telephone number, address, and other information specific to the mobile subscriber.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the permission release request comprises at least one of an identity of the requesting party and a telephone number for the requesting party.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the permission release response is output by the mobile communication device in response to an automated decision made by logic of the mobile communication device.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the permission release response is output by the mobile communication device in response to a decision made by the mobile subscriber based on interactions with a user interface of the mobile communication device.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the permission release response is output by the mobile communication device in response to a decision made by the mobile subscriber as a result of a presentation by a user interface of the mobile communication device, the presentation providing an identity of the requesting party.

16. A method for controlling a release of information on behalf of a mobile subscriber of a mobile telephone network, comprising the steps of

receiving a permission release request at a mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber, the permission release request issued by an information system that is independent of the mobile telephone network, the permission release request seeking permission for release of information about the mobile subscriber to a requesting party;

determining whether to release the requested information based on identifying information about the requesting party as presented by a user interface of the mobile communication device;

issuing a permission release response from the mobile communication device to the information system in response to a determination to release the requested information for distribution to the requesting party, the permission release response providing permission for communication of the requested information from the information system for use by the requesting party.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the requested information comprises at least one of location information, telephone number, address, and other information specific to the mobile subscriber.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the permission release response is output by the mobile communication device in response to an automated decision made by logic of the mobile communication device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the permission release response is output by the mobile communication device in response to a decision made by the mobile subscriber as a result of a presentation by a user interface of the mobile communication device, the presentation providing an identity of the requesting party.

20. A method for offering information services, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request from a requesting party for information about a mobile subscriber of a mobile telephone network;

responsive to the request, communicating with a mobile subscriber to seek permission for release of the requested information on behalf of the requesting party;

receiving a communication from the mobile subscriber granting permission for release of the requested information to the requesting party; and

communicating the requested information to the requesting party.