Disposable telephone numbers

• US 8,774,384 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2013
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: McDonald, Randy Sr., Garrison, Odie, Bedingfield, James Carlton, Droke, Terry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elahee, Md S
• Application Number:
  US13/936,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20130308765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.24, 379/93.21, 379/114.14, 37920201-2071, 379/221.01, 379/221.08, 370260-263, 370/265, 370/266, 370/338, 455/416, 455/432.3, 709/204
• US Class Current: 379/202.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4535 using an address exchange platform which sets up a session between two nodes, e.g. rendezvous servers, session initiation protocols [SIP] registrars or H.323 gatekeepers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42008 Systems for anonymous communication between parties, e.g. by use of disposal contact identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15

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.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

assigning a disposable number to a conference bridge, wherein the disposable number is associated with a subscriber phone number;

associating the conference bridge to a period of time of activation that the conference bridge is active;

determining an expiration of the period of time of activation that the conference bridge is active;

disposing of the disposable number in response to 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 is inactive for a current day and time of the call; and

prompting the caller to pay for a conference service by routing the call to the conference bridge in response to the conference bridge being inactive.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising retrieving a rule associated with the disposable number.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving payment for the conference service.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising abandoning the call if payment is declined.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising querying a database that associates the disposable number to the subscriber phone number.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising retrieving an announcement associated with the disposable number.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising retrieving a distinctive ring associated with the disposable number.

8. A memory device storing instructions that when executed causes a computer to perform operations, the operations comprising:

assigning a disposable number to a conference bridge;

associating the conference bridge to a defined period of time of activation, after which the conference bridge is deactivated;

associating the disposable number to a subscriber phone number;

expiring the defined period of time of activation that the conference bridge is active;

inactivating the conference bridge 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 is inactive for a current day and time of the call; and

prompting the caller to pay for a conference service by routing the call to the conference bridge in response to the conference bridge being inactive.

9. The memory device according to claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise retrieving an announcement associated with the disposable number.

10. The memory device according to claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise retrieving a distinctive ring associated with the disposable number.

11. The memory device according to claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise retrieving a rule associated with the disposable number.

12. The memory device according to claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise abandoning the call when payment is declined for the conference service.

13. The memory device according to claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise retrieving times during which the call is not desired.