Method and system for subpoena generation including time-dependent reverse number search

• US 6,981,216 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2000
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George A. Brandes
• Original Assignee: George A. Brandes
• Inventors: Brandes, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vaughn, Gregory J.
• Application Number:
  US09/710,506
• Time in Patent Office: 1,874 Days
• Field of Search: 715/500, 715/500.1, 715/505, 715/506, 715/507, 715/515, 715/530
• US Class Current: 715/234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4547 for personal communications, i.e. using a personal identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers

Abstract

A method and system for obtaining information items associated with the generation of subpoena documents using time-dependent data bases is presented. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the names and contact information of telephone companies that were assigned designated telephone numbers during designated time periods may be obtained using data bases formulated to include time-dependent telephone company assignment information items. From the information items, subpoenas are then generated which compel the selected telephone companies to reveal subscriber information items, such as name and address, associated with the designated telephone number during the designated time period. Further, the subpoenas containing the user'"'"'s name can be generated to compel the subscriber to appear be a court or agency competent jurisdiction or disclose additional information.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of generating a subpoena document requesting information about an unknown subscriber from a telephone company using a telephone number of the unknown subscriber, the telephone number containing at least an area code and an exchange, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing at least one data base containing a plurality of dates, a plurality of telephone numbers and a plurality of telephone companies, each of the telephone numbers assigned to a certain one of the telephone companies on each of the dates;

b. providing a first telephone number of an unknown subscriber, the first telephone number of the unknown subscriber, the telephone number containing at least an area code and an exchange and having a call date;

c. selecting from the plurality of dates a date that matches the call date;

d. selecting from the plurality of telephone numbers a telephone number that matches the first telephone number of the unknown subscriber on the selected date;

e. extracting from the at least one data base information items associated with the telephone company assigned to the selected telephone number; and

f. generating the subpoena document using the information items.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the document is a subpoena.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the information items include telephone company contact information including a contact name and a contact address.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of providing at least a second telephone number of an unknown subscriber, the at least a second telephone number containing at least an area code and an exchange and having a call date, and repeating steps b-e to generate additional information items for use in step f.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of providing at least a second telephone number of an unknown subscriber, the at least a second telephone number containing at least an area code and an exchange and having a call date, and repeating steps b-f.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of providing user supplied information items, the user supplied information items being used in step f for generating the document.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein the user supplied information items include at least one of a name of the authority authorizing issuance of the document, a date, a time, and a location.

8. A system for generating a subpoena document requesting information about an unknown subscriber from a telephone company using a telephone number of the unknown subscriber, the telephone number containing at least an area code and an exchange, the system comprising:

at least one data base including a plurality of dates, a plurality of telephone numbers and a plurality of telephone companies, each of the telephone numbers assigned to a certain one of the telephone companies on each of the dates;

a processor in communication with the at least one data base, the processor operative for;

a. receiving a user input including a first telephone number of an unknown subscriber, the first telephone number of the unknown subscriber containing at least an area code and an exchange and having a call date;

b. selecting from the plurality of dates a date that matches the call date;

c. selecting from the plurality of telephone numbers a telephone number that matches the first telephone number of the unknown subscriber on the selected date;

d. extracting the at least one data base information items associated with the selected telephone company assigned to the selected telephone number; and

e. causing the subpoena document to be generated using the information items.

9. The system as recited in claim 8 the document is a subpoena.

10. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the information items include telephone company contact information including a contact name and a contact address.

11. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the processor is further operative for receiving another user input including at least a second telephone number of an unknown subscriber, the at least a second telephone number containing at least an area code and an exchange and having a call date, and repeating steps b-d to generate additional information items for use in step e.

12. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the processor is further operative for receiving another user input including at least a second telephone number of an unknown subscriber, the at least a second telephone number containing at least an area code and an exchange and having a call date, and repeating steps b-e.

13. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the processor is further operative for receiving user supplied information items, the user supplied information items being used in step e for generating the document.

14. The system as recited in claim 13 wherein the user supplied information items include at least one of a name of the authority authorizing issuance of the document, a date, a time, and a location.