Systems and methods for screening communications based on receiver programmable pins
First Claim
1. A method for connecting a communication session comprising:
- receiving, from a first user, communication acceptance criteria for communications based on a personal identification number (PIN) that is associated with the first user, the communication acceptance criteria comprising a list of accepted users who are members of a predefined class of users, the PIN configured to expire after a predetermined number of uses;
receiving a request from a second user to initiate a communication session with the first user based on the PIN associated with first user;
determining, based on the communication acceptance criteria, whether a communication session initiated by the second user based on the PIN is permitted between the first user and the second user, wherein the determining includes determining whether the PIN has expired; and
responsive to determining the communication session is permitted, (i) initiating the communication session between the first user and the second user by requesting a first communication link to a first communication device associated with the first user and requesting a second communication link to a second communication device associated with the second user and (ii) reducing a number of remaining uses associated with the PIN,wherein, when the request for the first communication link is denied, the second user receives an alternative voicemail greeting, the alternative voicemail greeting being different from a primary voicemail greeting that would play when the first communication device is contacted directly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A networking system may comprise a web site serviced by a web server assembly. The web site may generally comprise a combination of the following components: a crediting system, a chat bidding system, a performance bidding system, a telephony switching system, a media interaction system, a display system, a photo management system, and a messaging system. An exemplary embodiment of the chat bidding system may comprise a plurality of common user accounts, a queue, and a featured user account. Common users of the common user accounts may pose tasks to the featured user, and may make a pledge for each task. The tasks may be stored in, and sorted by, the queue based on their pledges. A featured user of the featured user account may be presented with a highest ranked task in the queue, and may choose to respond to the task or to skip the task.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for connecting a communication session comprising:
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receiving, from a first user, communication acceptance criteria for communications based on a personal identification number (PIN) that is associated with the first user, the communication acceptance criteria comprising a list of accepted users who are members of a predefined class of users, the PIN configured to expire after a predetermined number of uses; receiving a request from a second user to initiate a communication session with the first user based on the PIN associated with first user; determining, based on the communication acceptance criteria, whether a communication session initiated by the second user based on the PIN is permitted between the first user and the second user, wherein the determining includes determining whether the PIN has expired; and responsive to determining the communication session is permitted, (i) initiating the communication session between the first user and the second user by requesting a first communication link to a first communication device associated with the first user and requesting a second communication link to a second communication device associated with the second user and (ii) reducing a number of remaining uses associated with the PIN, wherein, when the request for the first communication link is denied, the second user receives an alternative voicemail greeting, the alternative voicemail greeting being different from a primary voicemail greeting that would play when the first communication device is contacted directly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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receiving, from a first user, communication acceptance criteria for communications based on a personal identification number (PIN) that is associated with the first user, the communication acceptance criteria comprising a list of accepted users who are members of a predefined class of users, the PIN configured to expire after a predetermined date; receiving a request, from a second user, to initiate a communication session with the first user based on the PIN associated with the first user; determining, based on the communication acceptance criteria, whether a communication session initiated by the second user based on the PIN is permitted between the first user and the second user, wherein the determining includes determining whether the PIN has expired; and responsive to determining the communication session is permitted, initiating the communication session between the first user and the second user by requesting a first communication link to a first communication device associated with the first user and requesting a second communication link to a second communication device associated with the second user, wherein, when the request for the first communication link is denied, the second user receives an alternative voicemail greeting, the alternative voicemail greeting being different from a primary voicemail greeting that would play when the first communication device is contacted directly.
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21. A method comprising:
- receiving, from a first user, communication acceptance criteria for communications based on a temporary personal identification number (PIN) that is associated with the first user, the communication acceptance criteria comprising a list of accepted users who are members of a predefined class of users;
receiving a request, from a second user, to initiate an anonymous telephone call with the first user based on the PIN associated with the first user, the request including the PIN and an identifier associated with the second user, but not including a telephone number associated with the first user; determining, based on the communication acceptance criteria, whether a communication session initiated by the second user based on the PIN is permitted between the first user and the second user, wherein the determining includes vetting the identifier associated with the second user; and responsive to determining the communication session is permitted, initiating, without revealing the telephone number associated with the first user to the second user, the telephone call between the first user and the second user by requesting a first communication link to a first communication device associated with the first user and requesting a second communication link to a second communication device associated with the second user, wherein, when the request for the first communication link is denied, the second user receives an alternative voicemail greeting, the alternative voicemail greeting being different from a primary voicemail greeting that would play when the first communication device is contacted directly.
- receiving, from a first user, communication acceptance criteria for communications based on a temporary personal identification number (PIN) that is associated with the first user, the communication acceptance criteria comprising a list of accepted users who are members of a predefined class of users;
Specification