Disposable telephone numbers
First Claim
1. A method of providing disposable numbers, comprising:
- assigning a disposable number to a conference bridge, the disposable number having a common prefix dedicated to all the disposable numbers, the disposable number only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated;
receiving a call to the disposable number;
routing the call to the conference bridge;
querying a database that is accessible to the conference bridge, the database dedicated to the disposable numbers, the database associating the disposable number to a subscriber'"'"'s true number;
retrieving subscriber information from the database, the subscriber information describing a day and a time period during which a conference bridge subscription is active;
if the conference bridge subscription is active for a current day and time, then connecting a caller to the conference bridge; and
if the conference bridge subscription is active for the current day and time, then prompting the caller to pay for a conference service.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system that enables a telephone service subscriber to maintain his or her privacy by providing callers with a disposable telephone number. The system comprises a database that associates the disposable telephone number with subscriber information. The system also comprises a routing device that is in communication with the database. The routing device is adapted to receive calls dialing the disposable telephone number. When a call is received by the routing device, the routing device consults the database to retrieve the subscriber information. When the subscriber information comprises a true telephone number of the subscriber, the routing device forwards the call to the true telephone number.
57 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of providing disposable numbers, comprising:
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assigning a disposable number to a conference bridge, the disposable number having a common prefix dedicated to all the disposable numbers, the disposable number only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated; receiving a call to the disposable number; routing the call to the conference bridge; querying a database that is accessible to the conference bridge, the database dedicated to the disposable numbers, the database associating the disposable number to a subscriber'"'"'s true number; retrieving subscriber information from the database, the subscriber information describing a day and a time period during which a conference bridge subscription is active; if the conference bridge subscription is active for a current day and time, then connecting a caller to the conference bridge; and if the conference bridge subscription is active for the current day and time, then prompting the caller to pay for a conference service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for providing disposable numbers, comprising:
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means for assigning a disposable number to a conference bridge, the disposable number having a common prefix dedicated to all the disposable numbers, the disposable number only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated; means for receiving a call to the disposable number; means for routing the call to the conference bridge; means for querying a database that is accessible to the conference bridge, the database dedicated to the disposable numbers, the database associating the disposable number to a subscriber'"'"'s true number; means for retrieving subscriber information from the database, the subscriber information describing a day and a time period during which a conference bridge subscription is active, if the conference bridge subscription is active for a current day and time, then means for connecting a caller to the conference bridge; and if the conference bridge subscription is inactive for the current day and time, then means for prompting the caller to pay for a conference service. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification