Anonymous Party (e.g., Protection Of Called Or Calling Party's Identity, Privacy) Patents (Class 379/201.11)
  • Patent number: 11985731
    Abstract: A device, located in a core network associated with a radio access network (RAN), may include a processor configured to expose services or capabilities to application servers outside the core network, wherein the device is located in a core network associated with a radio access network (RAN). The processor may be further configured to receive a subscriber identifier message from a gateway device that established a connection to a user equipment (UE) device via the RAN, wherein the subscriber identifier message includes information identifying the UE device; receive a request from an application server associated with the connection for the information identifying the UE device; and provide the requested information identifying the UE device to the application server, in response to receiving the request from the application server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Ye Huang, Jason Logan Anderson, Om Prakash, Michael R. Waters, Shannon A. Donaghey, Carlos A Cazanas, Brendan Major, Miguel A Carames, Alexander Fadeev
  • Patent number: 11798015
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes computer implemented techniques for providing a survey to a user. In one embodiment, a software application receives an audio stream including utterances spoken by the user interacting with a voice-user interface of the application. The application then determines a set of paralinguistic features from the audio stream and estimates at least a first attribute of the user based on the set of paralinguistic features. The application selects survey content based on a value of the first attribute and transmits a survey including the selected survey content to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: INTUIT, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Indyk, Igor A. Podgorny, Raymond Chan
  • Patent number: 11769142
    Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method is conceived for providing a digital representation of a transaction card in a mobile device, comprising: detecting, by a near field communication unit of said mobile device, that the transaction card is in proximity of the mobile device; upon or after said detecting, performing, by a processing unit of said mobile device, the following steps: retrieving the digital representation of the transaction card from a digitization server; loading the digital representation of the transaction card into a memory of the mobile device; activating the digital representation of the transaction card for a predefined validity period; invalidating the digital representation of the transaction card if no successful near field communication transaction has been performed within said validity period. In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, a corresponding computer program and a corresponding mobile device are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Dimitri Warnez
  • Patent number: 11729313
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for implementing a spoofed telephone call identifier are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of receiving, by a first computing device, data indicating a placement of a telephone call from a second computing device to a third computing device, wherein the data includes a phone number of the second computing device. The actions further include determining characteristics of the phone number of the second computing device. The actions further include, based on the characteristics of the phone number of the second computing device, determining a likelihood that the phone number of the second computing device is spoofed. The actions further include, based on the likelihood that the phone number of the second computing device is spoofed, determining whether to transmit a notification of the telephone call to the third computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Parag Garg, Derrick Ives, Michele Lundahl, Helen Wang
  • Patent number: 11431853
    Abstract: The technology disclosed herein enables selective endpoint notification of incoming communications directed to a set of endpoints. In a particular embodiment, a method provides, in a communication control system, receiving a first request to establish a communication session with at least one endpoint in first set of endpoints. The first set of endpoints comprises two or more endpoints and the request is directed to the first set of endpoints. The method further provides identifying a first subset of the first set of endpoints based on application of one or more override rules to the first request. The override rules define conditions wherein fewer than all of the first set of endpoints should be notified of the first request. The method also provides notifying the first subset about the first request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Avaya Management L.P.
    Inventors: Navanath Dattatray Navaskar, Pragati Kailash Dhumal
  • Patent number: 11388289
    Abstract: An electronic communication method and system are disclosed. Exemplary methods include rating agent soft skills using an artificial intelligence (AI) module that continuously evaluates these skills, based on artifacts available from previous interactions with customers. The artifacts can be the voice recordings, chat transcripts, as well as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used for reporting. Once agents are rated, targeted soft skill-based routing is implemented for high priority calls or calls that are detected by a sentiment analyzer as requiring special attention. For training purposes, the system can be configured to route calls to agents with lower soft skills ratings during off hours. Completed calls may be used as further feedback to the AI module and the soft skill ratings acquired by the AI module may be added to an existing “hard skills” dataset for contact center call routing, to assist with continuous learning of soft skills as well as agent and supervisor training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Nishu Sharma, Long Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11265420
    Abstract: Techniques for behavioral pairing in a contact center system are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for pairing in a contact center including ordering one or more contacts, ordering one or more agents, comparing a first difference in ordering between a first contact and a first agent in a first pair with a second difference in ordering between a second contact and a second agent in a second pair, and selecting the first pair or the second pair for connection based on the comparing, wherein the first contact and the second contact are different or the first agent and the second agent are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Afiniti, Ltd.
    Inventor: Zia Chishti
  • Patent number: 11165908
    Abstract: Techniques for benchmarking pairing strategies in a contact center system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Afiniti, Ltd.
    Inventor: Zia Chishti
  • Patent number: 11115534
    Abstract: Techniques for behavioral pairing in a contact center system are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for pairing in a contact center including ordering one or more contacts, ordering one or more agents, comparing a first difference in ordering between a first contact and a first agent in a first pair with a second difference in ordering between a second contact and a second agent in a second pair, and selecting the first pair or the second pair for connection based on the comparing, wherein the first contact and the second contact are different or the first agent and the second agent are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Afiniti, Ltd.
    Inventor: Zia Chishti
  • Patent number: 11070674
    Abstract: Techniques for benchmarking pairing strategies in a contact center system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: AFINITI, LTD.
    Inventor: Zia Chishti
  • Patent number: 10529015
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for establishing a short-range communication channel with a financial institution computing device based on a tap exchange; receiving a request for personal information from the financial institution computing device; receiving an authorization to transmit the requested personal information; retrieving the personal information from a personal information database of the account enrollment circuit; and transmitting the personal information to enroll the user with a product of a financial institution associated with the financial institution computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
    Inventors: Miranda C. Hill, Alicia Y. Moore, Susan Symons
  • Patent number: 10504277
    Abstract: Techniques described herein include systems and methods for transforming communications and content from one communication platform to another communication platform such that content can be shared between users utilizing different user devices. In some embodiments, a communication session may be maintained between one or more users where each user is utilizing a different user device. First input may be received from a first communication platform from a first user that is intended to be shared to the one or more users in the communication session. In embodiments, a corresponding communication platform for each user participating in the communication session may be determined based on device information provided by associated user devices of the user when providing previous communications with the communication session and content included in the first input. The first input may be transformed from the first communication platform to one or more different communication platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Yuji Haitani, Alaa-Eddine Mendili, William R. Hazlewood, Dominick Khanh Pham
  • Patent number: 10477021
    Abstract: A system includes one or more memory devices storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform steps of a method for detecting harassment. The system may receive communication data from a first customer service representative terminal or a customer communication device and may determine, based at least in part on the communication data and stored communication data, that the communication data comprises harassing content. The system may, responsive to determining that the communication data comprises harassing content, transmit to a second customer service representative terminal, a notification indicating that the communication data comprises harassing content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: CAPITAL ONE SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Mossoba, Abdelkader Benkreira, Joshua Edwards
  • Patent number: 10182155
    Abstract: A system for directing calls using historical call backs, demographics, and real time attributes is disclosed. In particular, the system may receive incoming calls at an interactive voice response system. Based on speech occurring during the calls, the system may determine attributes of the callers. The system may then utilize the determined attributes, call records, demographic information pertaining to account owners, real time call attribute assessment systems, regression analyses, and various types of information to direct the calls from the interactive voice response system to an optimal agent for handling. Notably, the system may direct the calls to those agents that have a higher probability of successful interaction with the calling parties so as to reduce follow-up calls, which may be costly to the entity receiving the calls. A subset of the calls may be directed to agents at random so as to facilitate the collection of unbiased information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignees: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P., AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Sheldon K. Meredith, William Cottrill, Brandon B. Hilliard
  • Patent number: 10154140
    Abstract: A system and method for providing customer-specific ongoing call center assistance with the aid of a digital computer are provided. A call is received from a caller in a call center and the caller is connected to an agent of the call center. The speech of at least one of the caller and the agent is monitored during the call. A subject matter of the call is determined based on the monitoring. One or more characteristics of the caller are obtained. The agent is identified as being in need of assistance. Expert selection criteria are obtained and weighed based on one or more of the characteristics of the caller. An expert agent is selected using the weighed expert selection criteria and the subject matter of the call. The selected expert agent is patched into the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Intellisist, Inc.
    Inventors: David Milstein, Gilad Odinak, Howard M. Lee
  • Patent number: 10115104
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating and managing dynamic customized electronic tokens for electronic device interactions. A system for transferring data between a user device associated with a user and a remote device may include a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the stored instructions. The stored instructions may configure the processor to receive, via a network, transaction information from the remote device, access information associated with an electronic token, and provide the electronic token to the remote device. The electronic token may be associated with at least one of the user or the user device, and a token server may generate the electronic token based on the received transaction information, and determine one or more expiration parameters for the electronic token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Y Moreton, Matthew de Ganon, Thomas S Poole
  • Patent number: 10033867
    Abstract: Methods and systems obtain profile information from individuals using automation to select and provide the questions that are given to the individual. The answers the individuals provide to the questions can then be used to generate the profile information. Subsequent questions are selected and presented according to analysis of the previous answers. The exchange of the questions and answers occurs over a communications network and may take the form of emails, web page interfaces, wireless data messages, or verbal communication over a voiced call. The answers are analyzed to determine certain characteristics, such as the personality type, mood, and gender of the individual. The subsequent questions are selected based on the characteristics that are found from the answers to facilitate the information exchange between the automated system and the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: Scott Stillman
  • Patent number: 9990925
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to training a speech recognition system. A system that includes an automated speech recognizer and receives data from a client device. The system determines that at least a portion of the received data is likely sensitive data. Before the at least a portion of the received data is deleted, the system provides the at least a portion of the received data to a model training engine that trains recognition models for the automated speech recognizer. After the at least a portion of the received data is provided, the system deletes the at least a portion of the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Weinstein, Pedro J. Moreno Mengibar
  • Patent number: 9917948
    Abstract: A call processing method and apparatus are provided as a call processing solution. An example method comprises acquiring multimedia data from a calling subscriber before a call ends, where the calling subscriber is a subscriber that initiates the call, determining whether the call satisfies a preset call processing condition according to the multimedia data from the calling subscriber, and processing the call if the call processing condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: BEIJING ZHIGU RUI TUO TECH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jia Liu, Peng Lin, Kuifei Yu
  • Patent number: 9904671
    Abstract: At least one computer-mediated communication produced by or received by an author is collected and parsed to identify categories of information within it. The categories of information are processed with at least one analysis to quantify at least one type of information in each category. A first output communication is generated regarding the at least one computer-mediated communication, describing the psychological state, attitudes or characteristics of the author of the communication. A second output communication is generated when a difference between the quantification of at least one type of information for at least one category and a reference for the at least one category is detected involving a psychological state, attitude or characteristic of the author to which a responsive action should be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Eric D. Shaw
  • Patent number: 9881613
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to training a speech recognition system. A system that includes an automated speech recognizer and receives data from a client device. The system determines that at least a portion of the received data is likely sensitive data. Before the at least a portion of the received data is deleted, the system provides the at least a portion of the received data to a model training engine that trains recognition models for the automated speech recognizer. After the at least a portion of the received data is provided, the system deletes the at least a portion of the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Weinstein, Pedro J. Moreno Mengibar
  • Patent number: 9479466
    Abstract: A system and method for generating virtual space messages based on information indicated by a contact list associated with a virtual space user are disclosed. The contact list may be obtained for the virtual space user and contact entries may be extracted from the obtained contact list. Individual contact entries may be correlated with users in the virtual space. In some examples, relationships between the virtual space and his/her contacts may be determined based on the information indicated by the contact entries. Virtual space messages, such as, but not limited to, to facilitate social interactions, mentorship, friendship and/or any other relationships between the virtual space user and his/her contacts within the virtual space may be generated and communicated to the client computing platforms associated with the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9100784
    Abstract: A dial-in number is provided to a participant of a conference call. A computer identifies a participant of a conference call, and attempts to determine the location of the participant. Responsive to determining the location of the participant, the computer determines a location-based dial-in number for the participant and transmits the determined location-based dial-in number to the participant. Responsive to failing to determine the location of the participant, the computer determines an alternative dial-in number for the participant and transmits the determined alternative dial-in number to the participant. The computer can determine the location of the participant based on attributes derived from a location service enabled application or device associated with the participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa Seacat DeLuca, Lydia M. Do, Jenny S. Li
  • Patent number: 9049300
    Abstract: Methods for protecting telephone privacy are provided that utilize the phone number of the other party to a telephone call to automatically determine whether privacy protection is necessary and to automatically take measures to protect the user's privacy. Particular versions, such as an app for a smart phone that performs the methods, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: ITELLAS, LLC
    Inventors: William Corey Anders, Joel Lamar Lansden
  • Patent number: 9036798
    Abstract: There is described a provides a method for selecting a buddy with which a user wants to connect. The buddy having a buddy identification being listed in a pre-identified group of Internet-accessible destinations. The user using a user telephone means to which is associated identification information. The method comprises: initiating a call from the user telephone means to an Internet-enabled computing device, the call having associated thereto calling line identification (CLID) information; comparing the CLID information to the user telephone means identification information; validating the CLID information using the comparison upon positive validation, the user providing the buddy identification; consulting the pre-identified group of Internet-accessible destinations for a match between the buddy identification and one of the Internet-accessible destinations; and advising the user of a successful or unsuccessful match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Sabse Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Reiher
  • Publication number: 20150055769
    Abstract: A system registers participant information and inter-participant relationship information, and then, at variable times, selects two or more participants with a pre-existing relationship and attempts to establish a communication link between them. At least one of the participants is notified that the communication link will be attempted, shortly before the attempt is made. The identities of the selected participants are withheld from at least one of the participants (and potentially from all of the participants), so the call is a partial surprise (i.e., the participant may know the set of possible people from whom the call could be, but does not know exactly which person or people are calling until he answers the call). A number of applications are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: WAI LLC
    Inventors: James Luke SONTAG, Thomas Anthony NARDINI, Robert DiFALCO
  • Patent number: 8953762
    Abstract: A telephone system for enhanced privacy management includes a telephone switch, a rejected call handler, a user preference database, and an internet app privacy manager, whereby an incoming call can be assigned to a calling class, and routed according to a calling rule associated with the calling class. Using an interactive voice response menu or an application portal, the user can assign callers to calling classes and specify call handling rules and schedules. A rejected call handler includes a voice interface, a switch control, a voicemail, interactive voice response, call progress simulator, in-message options, in-call options, post-call options, and other components. Further disclosed is a method for determining a calling rule, including determining the caller id status, querying a calling rules table, and determining a calling rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Theodore J. Guarriello
  • Publication number: 20140348315
    Abstract: The invention concerns telecommunications methods and systems, and more particularly methods and systems for enabling respondents, who may be potential customers, to respond to advertisements for items (goods or services) advertised by or on behalf of advertisers. Telecommunications methods and systems of the invention provide selective communication routing or forwarding to advertisers of communications made to anonymous contact identifiers selected from a pool of anonymous contact identifiers, each anonymous contact identifier able to be allocated to an item to be advertised by or on behalf of the advertiser. The anonymous contact identifier is a public telephone number or an email address, for example. The service is provided by way of hosted system for use by a plurality of advertisers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Mulligan, Zhanna Sudarska, Maksym Ruchko
  • Patent number: 8891748
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a voice communication service between a first user and a second user after the first user and the second user are communicating via a non-voice communication service is described. The non-voice communication service may be processed through a server in communication with the first and second users. The non-voice communication service is monitored for a voice service request, and upon receipt of the voice service request, establishment of a voice communication service is initiated between the first and second users through the server. The first and second users may be anonymous to each other over the non-voice communication service and the voice communication service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: First Media Group Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Rand, Anthony Knight, Jim Brown, John Blair, Chris Smith, Evan Wright
  • Patent number: 8787542
    Abstract: A “customized” caller ID service platform is utilized within a telecommunications network (which may be the PSTN, an IP network, or any other network for supporting voice communication) to allow for the caller ID information transmitted to a called party to be tailored to the specific called party. A database within the platform is configured to store a listing of registered subscribers and a set of “pre-defined called numbers” associated with each subscriber. For each listed number, the subscriber provides the specific customized information (for example, an account number) that is to be transmitted to that specific called number as the caller ID information. A registered subscriber is able to gain access to the platform and modify the entries as need be.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Farah, Richard Palazzo
  • Patent number: 8774381
    Abstract: A subscriber who seeks to block access to contact information may receive identifying information for people attempting to access the subscriber's contact information. The subscriber also may be provided interfaces to enable the attempting person to contact the subscriber, in a variety of escalating forms, without revealing the subscriber's contact information. In a particular implementation, a request is received from an information seeker for contact information for a subscriber. A data structure is accessed that includes an indication that the subscriber should be provided with information relating to requests received for the subscriber's contact information. A message address for the subscriber is accessed, and a message is sent to the subscriber indicating the request for the subscriber's contact information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: John Ernest Keeling, Barry Appelman
  • Patent number: 8774163
    Abstract: A communication system for implementing IP cross-domain interconnecting via Border media Gateway (BG) includes: different IP domains, each of which includes: a Media Gateway Controller (MGC) for call control and a Media Gateway (MG) for media bearing; the communication system includes a BG for implementing interconnecting of the IP domains as well. A communication method based on the communication system, includes: a calling MG and a called MG located in different IP domains implements call switching and media stream creating with a BG under the control of MGCs in the different IP domains; and the calling MG communicates with the called MG based on the media streams created. Thus the cross-domain interconnecting between different IP domains via BGs is realize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yangbo Lin
  • Patent number: 8755500
    Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a calling party to a called party utilizing biometric information. Biometric information of first calling party is received. If stored, a calling party profile is retrieved based on first calling party biometric information. A call is placed to a called party. The first calling party profile is provided to called party. A biometric information change from first calling party biometric information to a second calling party biometric information is automatically detected, and it is determined whether the second party biometric information is stored. If stored, a second calling party profile of second calling party is retrieved and is provided to called party. Responsive to determining that the biometric information for second calling party is not stored, the called party is notified that the second calling party is communicating and the second calling party profile is automatically created based on second calling party biometric information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Saurabh Kumar
  • Patent number: 8751439
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for preserving privacy in natural language databases are provided. Natural language input may be received. At least one of sanitizing or anonymizing the natural language input may be performed to form a clean output. The clean output may be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Dilek Z. Hakkani-Tur, Yucel Saygin, Min Tang, Gokhan Tur
  • Patent number: 8750847
    Abstract: A method of setting up a call between a user and at least one destination comprises, prior to setting up the call, a masking stage for masking the identifier, which stage comprises the following steps, for at least one destination: intercepting an identifier of the destination as input by the user; and modifying a signal including the identifier and used for displaying the identifier, or for setting up said call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Orange
    Inventors: Stéphane Elie, Loïc Pieto
  • Patent number: 8731520
    Abstract: Provided is a communication terminal capable of suppressing the phenomenon of personal information being transmitted contrary to the will of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Satoko Ishihara, Kazuhito Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8693655
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for provisioning a temporary disposable number are described. A user can be provided with a pool of available temporary disposable numbers that have a limited shelf life. The user can select one of the available temporary disposable numbers while submitting a permanent phone number associated with a communications device (e.g., mobile phone, home phone, business phone, etc.). Prior to activating the selected temporary disposable number, the temporary disposable number is linked to the permanent phone number. After activation, when an incoming call to the temporary disposable number is received, the permanent phone number is identified to be associated with the temporary disposable number being called. The incoming call is then forwarded to the communications device on which the permanent phone number is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: RingCentral, Inc.
    Inventors: Vi Dinh Chau, Naveen Gupta, Rituparna Mukherjee, Nisha K. Ahluwalia
  • Patent number: 8670541
    Abstract: All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P
    Inventors: John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Dianna Inara Tiliks, Nancy Ann Book, Susanne Marie Crockett, Carol Shifrin Gruchala
  • Patent number: 8625760
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing alternate caller names in accordance with caller-name preferences are provided. In one embodiment, a device identifier associated with a phone call initiated by a calling device is received. A caller-name preference(s) associated with the calling device is referenced. The caller-name preference(s) can indicate usage of a first caller name and/or a second caller name. The caller-name preference(s) can be used to select one of the first caller name or the second caller name to provide to in association with the phone call initiated by the calling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Mark Douglas Peden, Gary Duane Koller, Raymond Emilio Reeves, Simon Youngs
  • Patent number: 8625768
    Abstract: A method for real-time communication among two or more individuals separated in space. The method includes the steps of determining that a first individual is likely to be interested in communicating with a second individual via a first communications link; retrieving information via the first communications link about one or more additional individuals from electronic memory means associated with the second individual; and establishing communication with at least one of the additional individuals based on the retrieved information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LP
    Inventor: Craig Alexander Will
  • Publication number: 20140003596
    Abstract: For generating privacy, a detection module detects an optical lingual cue from user speech that generates an audible signal. A generation module transmits an inverse audible signal generated from the optical lingual cue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert T. Arenburg, Franck Barillaud, Shiv Dutta, Alfredo V. Mendoza
  • Patent number: 8605870
    Abstract: A Virtual Subscriber Service (VSS) is a system and method for operators to provide multiple mutually exclusive telephone numbers, each with its own unique plan features, to a subscriber who is associated with a single terminating device. VSS makes it possible for a subscriber to manage communications directed toward any telephone number associated with his telephone as if any one of the telephone numbers were the only number associated with the telephone. Further, in addition to the primary number, a VSS subscriber can originate communications or return missed communications from the virtual telephone numbers associated with his terminating device. More specifically, some embodiments of a VSS involve the use of a pre-paid account associated with a telecommunications service that has a primary destination code as well as a virtual destination code directed toward a common terminating device such as a mobile telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Movius Interactive Corp.
    Inventor: Ian Moraes
  • Patent number: 8594287
    Abstract: The present invention relates to telephone call processing. In one embodiment, a call processing system receives from a caller a first call for a user, the first call including call signaling information. The call processing system determines whether the call signaling information includes caller identification information and whether the call signaling information indicates that the caller identification information is restricted. If the caller identification information is restricted, the call processing system instructs the caller to take a first action so that the caller identification information can be provided to the user. The call processing system determines whether the caller has performed the first action during the first call, and if the caller has performed the first action during the first call, the call processing system provides at least a portion of the caller identification information to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Callwave Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Dolan, David F. Hofstatter, Lee Kirchhoff
  • Patent number: 8542811
    Abstract: A method for real-time communication among two or more individuals separated in space. The method includes the steps of determining that a first individual is likely to be interested in communicating with a second individual via a first communications link; retrieving information via the first communications link about one or more additional individuals from electronic memory means associated with the second individual; and establishing communication with at least one of the additional individuals based on the retrieved information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Rockstar Consotrium US LP
    Inventor: Craig Alexander Will
  • Patent number: 8543157
    Abstract: The communication device comprising a pin-point location notifying implementer, a geographic area notifying implementer, a location dependent program activating implementer, a multiple answering machine implementer, a time dependent answering machine implementer, an audiovisual storage implementer, a street address icon displaying implementer, and an audiovisual multiple recording/replaying implementer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Iwao Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 8509412
    Abstract: A system and method providing real-time position information of one party to another party by utilizing a conventional telecommunication network system (e.g., the telephone network, a mobile telecommunications network, a computer network, or the Internet). The present invention allows a caller and a receiver of a telephone call to provide to and receive from each other position information related to the caller and/or receiver's location, including address information, GPA coordinates, nearby fixed locations (e.g., a parking structure), etc. The present invention allows a caller and receiver to retrieve routing instructions or maps for travelling to/from one another. A party may locate the position of another party via entry of the other party's unique identifier (e.g., a phone number of the other party's mobile phone). The position information of a party may be concurrently delivered to another party's computer terminal whereby the other party can process the information in further detail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Sheha, Stephen Petilli, Angie Sheha
  • Patent number: 8498394
    Abstract: An anonymous communication system allows a third party, which is not a communicating party, to determine the anonymities of the communicating parties. An anonymity notifying apparatus to be installed in an anonymous communication system enables anonymous communication. An anonymous communication system and method detects the anonymities of communication parties and notifies them to a third party device other than communication devices of the communication parties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Natsuko Kagawa, Takeaki Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 8483371
    Abstract: A system and method for managing incoming and outgoing communications may include a definition of if, when, and who may communicate with a recipient. The identification of the communication may be concealed in that no actual addresses, phone numbers, or other addressing identifications are required to be exchanged by the communication initiator and recipient. In an example, if the database contains call management settings for a call recipient, the application logic may evaluate the rules to determine if a particular caller is authorized to connect with the call recipient at the current time and date. The application logic may connect the call utilizing the public telephone switch. The caller and call recipient phone numbers may be stored in a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Crandell, Brian K. Wharton
  • Patent number: 8473451
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for preserving privacy in natural language databases are provided. Natural language input may be received. At least one of sanitizing or anonymizing the natural language input may be performed to form a clean output. The clean output may be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Dilek Z. Hakkani-Tur, Yucel Saygin, Min Tang, Gokhan Tur
  • Patent number: 8442199
    Abstract: A method for real-time communication among two or more individuals separated in space. The method includes the steps of determining that a first individual is likely to be interested in communicating with a second individual via a first communications link; retrieving information via the first communications link about one or more additional individuals from electronic memory means associated with the second individual; and establishing communication with at least one of the additional individuals based on the retrieved information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LP
    Inventor: Craig Alexander Will