Method and system for one party to pass a calling invitation to another party

• US 6,744,869 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2001
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mavenir Systems Incorporated (Mavenir Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Comverse Incorporated (Mavenir Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ayres, Larry E., Brockenbrough, Allan E., Mendel, Theresa
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US09/969,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20030063735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201.01, 379/201.02, 379/201.11, 379/202.01, 379/204.01, 379/210.01, 379/210.03, 379/211.02, 379/901, 379/903
• US Class Current: 379/201.11
• 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: H04L 63/067 using one-time keys cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for generation of one-time passwords H04L9/0863
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42008 Systems for anonymous communication between parties, e.g. by use of disposal contact identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption

Abstract

A method and apparatus facilitates voice, text, pager or e-mail communication between first and second parties. The second party requests a token from the first party, wherein the token is associated with contact information, such as a telephone number, but does not reveal the telephone number. The first party, at their discretion, provides the token to the second party. The second party is then able to contact the first party by using the token but without knowing the contact information, such as the telephone number, of the first party.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating communication between first and second parties, comprising:

supplying a token to the first party, the token being associated with contact information, by which the first party can electronically contact the second party without revealing the contact information to the first party, and being automatically associated only with the first party;

storing the token; and

revoking the token in response to a request from the second party.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the first party requesting communication with a second party by using the stored token.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the communication is voice communication.

4. A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the communication is text messaging.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising requesting the token from the second party prior to said supplying the token.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said requesting is carried out by electronic communication between the first and second parties.

7. A method as set forth in claim 6, wherein the electronic communication is infrared communication.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

assigning an expiration parameter to the token, such that the token is automatically deactivated based on the expiration parameter.

9. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the expiration parameter represents a predetermined number of contacts made by the second party.

10. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the expiration parameter is a date.

11. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising assigning the token a privacy parameter, so that the token cannot be redistributed to another party.

12. A method of facilitating communication between first and second communication devices, comprising:

obtaining a token corresponding to contact information of the first communication device;

storing the token in the second communication device without revealing the contact information, the token being automatically associated only with the second communication device; and

revoking the token in response to a request from the first communication device.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising requesting communication with the first communication device by using the token stored in the second communication device.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the communication is voice communication.

15. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the communication is text messaging.

16. A method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising requesting the token from the first communication device prior to said obtaining the token.

17. A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said requesting is carried out by electronic communication between the first and second communication devices.

18. A method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the electronic communication comprises infrared communication.

19. An apparatus facilitating communication between first and second communication devices, comprising a computer to receive a request for a token from the first communication device, to provide the token to the first communication device, and to set up communication between the first and second communication devices when the computer receives a request including the token from the second communication device, the token being automatically associated only with the second communication device, wherein the token is deleted from the computer in response to a request from the first communication device.

20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein the second communication device has previously electronically requested the token from the first communication device.

21. An apparatus facilitating communication between first and second communication devices, comprising:

means for obtaining a token corresponding to contact information of the first communication device;

means for storing the token in the second communication device, so that a user of the second communication device can electronically contact the first communication device, without revealing the contact information to the user of the second communication device, the token being automatically associated only with the second communication device; and

means for revoking the token in response to a request from the first communication device.

22. An apparatus facilitating communication, comprising a first communication device receiving a request for communication from a second communication device, creating a token associated with contact information by which the first communication device can be electronically contacted by the second communication device without revealing the contact information to a user of the second communication device, and forwarding the token to the second communication device, the token being automatically associated only with the second communication device.

23. An apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein a user of the second communication device initiates communication with the first communication device based on the token.

24. A token facilitating communication between first and second parties, comprising identification information associated with contact information by which the first party can electronically contact the second party without revealing the contact information to the first party, the token being automatically associated only with the first party.

25. A token as set forth in claim 24, wherein the contact information is a telephone number.

26. A token as set forth in claim 24, wherein the contact information is a pager number.

27. A token as set forth in claim 24, wherein the contact information is an e-mail address.

28. A method of facilitating communication between first and second communication devices comprising:

obtaining a token corresponding to contact information of the first communication device in response to an electronic request from the second communication device;

storing the token in the second communication device;

using the token in the second communication device to electronically contact the first communication device without revealing the contact information of the first communication device to the second communication device, the token being automatically associated only with the second communication device; and

revoking the token based on operation of the first communication device.

29. A method as set forth in claim 28, wherein the contact information is a telephone number.

30. A method as set forth in claim 28, wherein the communication which is facilitated is voice communication.

31. A method as set forth in claim 28, wherein the communication which is facilitated is text messaging.

32. A method as set forth in claim 28, wherein the electronic request from the second communication device is carried out by infrared communication.

33. A computer readable storage controlling a computer to facilitate communication between first and second communication devices by obtaining a token corresponding to contact information of the first communication device, and causing the token to be stored in the second communication device without revealing the contact information, and revoking the token in response to a request from the first communication device, the token being automatically associated only with the second communication device.