Patents Assigned to InPhonic, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7318098
    Abstract: A short message transaction system has a computer that communicates in an online Internet protocol that forms active sessions. A wireless device communicates in a protocol that transmits and receives messages that have a maximum size limit of a predetermined number of alphanumeric characters substantially smaller than the number of alphanumeric characters transmitted in a communication of the computer. A database is also provided. A surrogate communicates with the wireless device and the computer. The surrogate collects data from a plurality of messages from the wireless device and provides the data for storage in the database. The computer then runs online sessions using the stored data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: InPhonic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Steinberg, Kenneth D. Landry, Mark T. Miller
  • Patent number: 7313106
    Abstract: A virtual private wireless network in which wireless devices according to the present invention includes at least one wireless device having a screen for displaying received text and an intelligent information interconnect device integrating voice messaging, email, and fax services into a single access point. The information interconnect device includes a centralized directory database storing identifying information regarding the wireless devices, and further storing delivery preference hierarchy information for delivering content to the wireless devices. A user interface is provided for specifying criteria used to select at least one device ID from the centralized database, and a message delivery system is provided for searching the centralized database using the specified criteria and transmitting information to the wireless device(s) using the delivery preference hierarchy information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: InPhonic, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Steinberg
  • Patent number: 7162221
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided that allow wireless device users to “opt-in” to a direct marketing campaign by “clicking on” a conventional advertisement displayed within a wireless device and register to receive future promotions via one or more direct marketing channels. Likewise, users can “opt-out” of future direct marketing by “clicking on” content displayed within various promotional content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: InPhonic, Inc.
    Inventors: David Spitz, Brian Watkins, Steve Cox, Jay Thrash, Matthew Squire, Dana Borger
  • Publication number: 20060287950
    Abstract: A method for selecting a service provider includes receiving a selection of a provider of telecommunications services, the selection being associated with a buyer. The method further includes determining that the buyer does not meet credit requirements of the provider and selecting at least one of a plurality of alternative providers of telecommunications services in response to determining that the buyer does not meet the credit requirements of the provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: Inphonic, Inc.
    Inventors: David Steinberg, Frank Bennett, Gaylyn Sarbacher
  • Patent number: 7076447
    Abstract: A system facilitates the purchase of telecommunication services from a variety of sellers. The system aggregates buyers for purchasing at least one telecommunication service as a group, generates a request for purchasing the telecommunication services, provides the request to the sellers, and receives replies from the sellers in response to the request. The system then provides the replies to the group, receives a selection from the group in response to the replies, and notifies a seller of the selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: InPhonic, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Peyser, Constance Beyer, Michael D. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 7013127
    Abstract: Telecommunication services systems and methods are disclosed. The telecommunication services systems and methods preferably enable the user and/or the responsible party to make payments as the user uses the telecommunication services. The systems and methods may also be employed to provide the user and/or the responsible party with specialized pricing options and other customized services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: InPhonic, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold S. Wills, David A. Steinberg
  • Publication number: 20040203585
    Abstract: Telecommunication services systems and methods are disclosed. The telecommunication services systems and methods preferably enable the user and/or the responsible party to make payments as the user uses the telecommunication services. The systems and methods may also be employed to provide the user and/or the responsible party with specialized pricing options and other customized services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: InPhonic, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold S. Wills, David A. Steinberg
  • Patent number: 6618763
    Abstract: A virtual private wireless network in which wireless devices according to the present invention includes at least one wireless device having a screen for displaying received text and an intelligent information interconnect device integrating voice messaging, email, and fax services into a single access point. The information interconnect device includes a centralized directory database storing identifying information regarding the wireless devices, and further storing delivery preference hierarchy information for delivering content to the wireless devices. A user interface is provided for specifying criteria used to select at least one device ID from the centralized database, and a message delivery system is provided for searching the centralized database using the specified criteria and transmitting information to the wireless device(s) using the delivery preference hierarchy information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Inphonic Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Steinberg