Disposable telephone numbers
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- assigning a disposable number to a conference bridge, wherein the disposable number is associated with a subscriber phone number;
receiving a call from a calling number of a caller to the disposable number;
expiring a defined period of time of activation for a conference bridge subscription;
inactivating the conference bridge subscription upon expiration of the defined period of time of activation;
disposing of the disposable number after the expiration of the defined period of time of activation;
prompting the caller to pay for a conference service to the disposable number when the conference bridge subscription is inactive for a current day and time; and
routing the call to the conference bridge in response to payment for the conference service.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that provide disposable numbers for a conference service. A disposable number is assigned to a conference bridge that is only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated. A call is received to the disposable number, and the call is routed to the conference bridge. A database is queried that associates the disposable number to a subscriber'"'"'s number. Subscriber information is retrieved that describes when a conference bridge subscription is active. If the conference bridge subscription is active, then a caller is connected to the conference bridge. If the conference bridge subscription is inactive, then the caller is prompted to pay for a conference service.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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assigning a disposable number to a conference bridge, wherein the disposable number is associated with a subscriber phone number; receiving a call from a calling number of a caller to the disposable number; expiring a defined period of time of activation for a conference bridge subscription; inactivating the conference bridge subscription upon expiration of the defined period of time of activation; disposing of the disposable number after the expiration of the defined period of time of activation; prompting the caller to pay for a conference service to the disposable number when the conference bridge subscription is inactive for a current day and time; and routing the call to the conference bridge in response to payment for the conference service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method, comprising:
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assigning a disposable number to a conference bridge, wherein the disposable number is associated with a subscriber phone number; defining a period of time of activation that a conference bridge subscription is active; expiring the period of time of activation that the conference bridge subscription is active; inactivating the conference bridge subscription in response to expiration of the period of time of activation; disposing of the disposable number upon the expiration of the period of time of activation; receiving, after the expiration of the period of time of activation, a call from a calling number of a caller to the disposable number; determining the conference bridge subscription is inactive for a current day and time of the call; and prompting the caller to pay for a conference service in response to the conference bridge subscription being inactive; and routing the call to the conference bridge in response to payment for the conference service. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A memory device storing instructions that when executed causes a computer to perform operations, the operations comprising:
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assigning a disposable number to a conference bridge that is active for a defined period of time of activation, after which a conference bridge subscription is deactivated; associating the disposable number with a subscriber phone number; expiring the defined period of time of activation that the conference bridge subscription is active; inactivating the conference bridge subscription upon expiration of the defined period of time of activation; disposing of the disposable number upon the expiration of the defined period of time of activation; receiving, after the expiration of the defined period of time of activation, a call from a calling number of a caller to the disposable number; determining the conference bridge subscription is inactive for a current day and time of the call; and prompting the caller to pay for a conference service in response to the conference bridge subscription being inactive; and routing the call to the conference bridge in response to payment for the conference service. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification