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Systems and methods for screening communications based on receiver programmable pins

  • US 9,769,313 B2
  • Filed: 10/31/2011
  • Issued: 09/19/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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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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