Method and apparatus for hiding the identity of a mobile subscriber in response to a permission request

• US 20060166666A1
• Filed: 01/20/2006
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Resource Consortium Limited, LLC
• Original Assignee: Resource Consortium Limited, LLC
• Inventors: Roach, Peter O. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/336,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20060166666A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/433
• 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

A mobile subscriber can elect to grant permission for the release to a requesting party of information relevant to the mobile subscriber release information. In the alternative, the mobile subscriber can elect to establish a communications path directly with the requesting party. The mobile subscriber can initiate this communications path without divulging their identity or contact information to the requesting party. For example, the mobile subscriber can elect to block a display of their identity and calling information to the requesting party by the use of identity blocking codes or blocking methods that hide this information.

Claims

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

receiving a permission release request at a mobile communication device associated with a mobile subscriber operating within a mobile telephone network, the permission release request seeking permission for release of information about the mobile subscriber to a requesting party;

determining if the permission release request comprises a code designating a method of blocking an identification of one of the mobile subscriber or the mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber when communicating with the requesting party;

if the request for permission release request contains the code, then presenting an option for the mobile subscriber to initiate a communication to the requesting party while blocking the identity of the mobile subscriber; and

in response to a selection of the option by the mobile subscriber, communicating with the requesting party via a communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device comprises a voice communication between the mobile subscriber and the requesting party.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device is routed through a “

meet me”

conference port.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device provides the requested information to the requesting party without presenting the identity of the mobile subscriber.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of communicating the requested information from the mobile subscriber to the requesting party via the communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of communicating the requested information for distribution to the requesting party, based on a determination to disclose the requested information and in response to another action by the mobile subscriber.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the code appropriate for blocking the identification of one of a mobile subscriber or the mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber based on a current location of the mobile communications device.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of querying a home location register associated with the mobile communication device to determine the current location of the mobile communications device.

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

receiving a permission release request at a mobile communication device associated with a mobile subscriber, the permission release request seeking permission for release to a requesting party of information about the mobile subscriber;

determining if the permission release request defines a method for blocking an identification of one of the mobile subscriber or the mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber when communicating with the requesting party;

if the request for permission identifies a blocking method, determining whether the mobile communications device has entered a mobile telephone network other than a mobile telephone network associated with the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device received the permission release request;

if the request for permission release request defines a blocking method and the mobile communications device has entered the mobile telephone network other than the mobile telephone network associated with the mobile communication device, then disabling the blocking method,

if the request for permission release request defines a blocking method and the mobile communications device is operating within the mobile telephone network associated with the mobile communication device, then enabling an option for the mobile subscriber to initiate a communication to the requesting party while blocking the identity of the mobile subscriber, and

if the request for permission release does not define a blocking method, then disabling the option for the mobile subscriber to block their identity when initiating a communication to the requesting party.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the mobile telephone network is defined by the geographical boundary of a country.

11. A method for communicating, comprising the steps of

receiving at an information system a query derived from a request by a requesting party for information about a mobile subscriber,

responsive to the query, 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 identifying the requesting party;

in response to an action taken by the mobile subscriber, communicating with the requesting party via a communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party identified by the permission release request.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device comprises a voice communication between the mobile subscriber and the requesting party.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device is routed through a “

meet me”

conference port.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device provides the requested information to the requesting party without presenting the identity of the mobile subscriber.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of communicating the requested information from the mobile subscriber to the requesting party via the communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of communicating the requested information for distribution to the requesting party based on a determination to disclose the requested information and in response to another action by the mobile subscriber.

17. A method for communicating between a mobile subscriber of a mobile telephone network and a requesting party seeking information about the mobile subscriber, comprising the steps of

receiving a query derived from a request by the requesting party for the information about the mobile subscriber,

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 identifying the requesting party;

responsive to receipt of the permission release request at the mobile communications device, determining whether to disclose the requested information to the requesting party based on presentation of at least a portion of the permission release request to the mobile subscriber; and

in response to an action by the mobile subscriber, communicating with the requesting party via a communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party identified by the permission release request.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device comprises a voice communication between the mobile subscriber and the requesting party.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device provides the requested information to the requesting party without presenting the identity of the mobile subscriber.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of communicating the requested information from the mobile subscriber to the requesting party via the communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party.