Method and apparatus for anonymous voice communication using an online data service

• US 5,818,836 A
• Filed: 08/09/1995
• Issued: 10/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Click-To-Call Technologies LP
• Original Assignee: Stephen C. Duval
• Inventors: DuVal, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carman, Melissa Kay
• Application Number:
  US08/512,820
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 370/389, 370/392, 370/352, 370/485, 370/458, 379/100, 379/201, 379/90, 379/93, 379/94, 379/243, 379/229, 379/230, 379/100.13, 379/261, 379/204, 379/67, 379/88, 379/206, 379/90.01, 379/93.01
• US Class Current: 370/389
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 Graphical user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/609 Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42008 Systems for anonymous communication between parties, e.g. by use of disposal contact identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/432 Arrangements for calling a subscriber at a specific time, e.g. morning call service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0045 where the text-based messaging service is an instant messaging service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1295 Details of dual tone multiple frequency signalling

Abstract

An anonymous telephone communication system. The system includes an anonymous voice system which can establish an anonymous telephone communication through a circuit switched network (CSN). In operation, two parties place separate telephone calls to the anonymous voice system through the CSN. The parties then enter matchcodes through their telephone keypads. The anonymous voice system compares the matchcodes entered by the parties and connects the telephone calls if the matchcodes match. The system may include an on-line data service that establishes electronic communication between the parties through corresponding data terminals. The data terminals may have resident anonymous voice input commands that can be selected by the parties. The on-line data service transmits a connect command to the anonymous voice system which dials the two parties, or waits for the parties to dial the system, and then connects the parties. The anonymous voice system sends a disconnect command to the on-line data service when the parties hang up. The disconnect command can be used by the online service to bill the parties for using the anonymous voice service. The system also stores a couple record during the first anonymous call recording the matchcode and the telephone numbers of both parties. Subsequently, either party may initiate an anonymous call to the other party without prior coordination.

Claims

1. A method for creating a voice connection over a circuit switched network between a first party and a second party using an on-line data service to initiate the connection, comprising the steps of:

a) establishing an electronic communication between the first party and the second party through the on-line data service between a first party and a second party;

b) requesting a voice communication through the on-line service;

c) transmitting a message from the online data service to a voice system requesting the voice connection between said first party and said second party;

c) establishing a first telephone call for the first party;

d) establishing a second telephone call for the second party; and

,

e) connecting said first telephone call with said second telephone call.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said telephone call'"'"'s are established by dialing a telephone station of each party from an anonymous voice system.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said telephone calls are established by each party dialing an anonymous voice system.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said anonymous voice communication is requested by selecting a specific anonymous voice communication input provided by a graphical user interface.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing the parties with a matchcode, entering matchcodes, comparing said entered matchcodes, and connecting the parties if said matchcodes match.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of storing said matchcode, a first telephone number that corresponds to the first party and a second telephone number that corresponds to the second party.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising the steps of establishing a third telephone call by the first party, entering said matchcode, establishing a fourth telephone call with the second party and connecting said third telephone call with said fourth telephone call.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of sending a disconnect message to said online data service when said first telephone call is disconnected from said second telephone call.

9. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising the steps of recording a message from the first party and playing it to the second party on request.

10. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising the step of deleting said storage of said matchcode, said first telephone number and said second telephone number.

11. A system that establishes a voice connection over a circuit switched network between a first party and a second party that are both coupled to said circuit switched network, comprising:

a voice system connected to said circuit switched network, said voice system receives a first telephone call from the first party and a second telephone call from the second party, said voice system further receives a matchcode from each party and connects said first telephone call with said second telephone call if said matchcodes match;

said voice system includes an interface to an on-line data service;

said voice system generates a disconnect message for the online data service when said first telephone call is disconnected from said second telephone call.

12. A system for establishing a voice connection over a circuit switched network between a first party and a second party that are both coupled to said circuit switched network, each party also having a data terminal, comprising:

an on-line data service that is coupled to the data terminals of each party, said on-line data service generates a connect command in response to an input provided by a party through the data terminal; and

,

a voice system connected to said circuit switched network and said on-line data service, said voice system receives said connect command and connects a first telephone call of the first party with a second telephone call of the second party.

13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said anonymous voice system dials a telephone station of each party.

14. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said connect command includes a matchcode and said anonymous voice system connects said first and second telephone calls when the parties enter matching matchcodes.

15. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said anonymous voice system generates a disconnect command when said first telephone call is disconnected from said second telephone call.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein said disconnect command is sent to said on-line data service.

17. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said anonymous voice input is provided by a graphical user interface of the data terminal.

18. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said on-line data service is coupled to the data terminals through a packet switched network.

19. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said anonymous voice system includes a switch that connects said first telephone call and said second telephone call.

20. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein said anonymous voice system includes a microprocessor and a memory device which store said entered matchcodes, a first telephone number that corresponds to the first party and a second telephone number that corresponds to the second party.

21. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein said anonymous voice system includes a voice processor which generates audio messages that are provided to the parties. system further receives a matchcode from each party and connects said first telephone call with said second telephone call if said matchcodes match.