US5818836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for anonymous voice communication using an online data service
Assignee: CLICK-TO-CALL TECHNOLOGIES LP
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Filing: 1995-08-09
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Granted: 1998-10-06
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Expires: 2015-08-09
Abstract
Abstract An anonymous telephone communication system. The system includes an anonymous voice system which can establish an anonymous telephone communication through a circuit switched network (CSN). In operation, two parties place separate telephone calls to the anonymous voice system through the CSN. The parties then enter matchcodes through their telephone keypads. The anonymous voice system compares the matchcodes entered by the parties and connects the telephone calls if the matchcodes match. The system may include an on-line data service that establishes electronic communication between the parties through corresponding data terminals. The data terminals may have resident anonymous voice input commands that can be selected by the parties. The on-line data service transmits a connect command to the anonymous voice system which dials the two parties, or waits for the parties to dial the system, and then connects the parties. The anonymous voice system sends a disconnect command to the on-line data service when the parties hang up. The disconnect command can be used by the online service to bill the parties for using the anonymous voice service. The system also stores a couple record during the first anonymous call recording the matchcode and the telephone numbers of both parties. Subsequently, either party may initiate an anonymous call to the other party without prior coordination.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen C. DuVal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42008; H04M7/00; H04M7/0024; H04M7/0042; H04M7/0045; H04M7/12; H04M7/1205; H04M7/1295; H04M15/00; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/42; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/45; H04M2203/4536; H04M2203/60; H04M2203/609; H04M3/38; H04M3/382; H04M3/42314; H04M3/42323; H04M3/432; H04M3/56; H04M7/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for creating a voice connection over a circuit switched network between a first party and a second party using an on-line data service to initiate the connection, comprising the steps of: a) establishing an electronic communication between the first party and the second party through the on-line data service between a first party and a second party; b) requesting a voice communication through the on-line service; c) transmitting a message from the online data service to a voice system requesting the voice connection between said first party and said second party; c) establishing a first telephone call for the first party; d) establishing a second telephone call for the second party; and, e) connecting said first telephone call with said second telephone call.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for creating a voice connection over a circuit switched network between a first party and a second party using an on-line data service to initiate the connection, comprising the steps of: a) establishing an electronic communication between the first party and the second party through the on-line data service between a first party and a second party; b) requesting a voice communication through the on-line service; c) transmitting a message from the online data service to a voice system requesting the voice connection between said first party and said second party; c) establishing a first telephone call for the first party; d) establishing a second telephone call for the second party; and, e) connecting said first telephone call with said second telephone call.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said telephone call's are established by dialing a telephone station of each party from an anonymous voice system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said telephone calls are established by each party dialing an anonymous voice system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said anonymous voice communication is requested by selecting a specific anonymous voice communication input provided by a graphical user interface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing the parties with a matchcode, entering matchcodes, comparing said entered matchcodes, and connecting the parties if said matchcodes match.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of storing said matchcode, a first telephone number that corresponds to the first party and a second telephone number that corresponds to the second party.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising the steps of establishing a third telephone call by the first party, entering said matchcode, establishing a fourth telephone call with the second party and connecting said third telephone call with said fourth telephone call.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of sending a disconnect message to said online data service when said first telephone call is disconnected from said second telephone call.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising the steps of recording a message from the first party and playing it to the second party on request.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising the step of deleting said storage of said matchcode, said first telephone number and said second telephone number.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
120 words
A system that establishes a voice connection over a circuit switched network between a first party and a second party that are both coupled to said circuit switched network, comprising: a voice system connected to said circuit switched network, said voice system receives a first telephone call from the first party and a second telephone call from the second party, said voice system further receives a matchcode from each party and connects said first telephone call with said second telephone call if said matchcodes match; said voice system includes an interface to an on-line data service; said voice system generates a disconnect message for the online data service when said first telephone call is disconnected from said second telephone call.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
120 words
A system that establishes a voice connection over a circuit switched network between a first party and a second party that are both coupled to said circuit switched network, comprising: a voice system connected to said circuit switched network, said voice system receives a first telephone call from the first party and a second telephone call from the second party, said voice system further receives a matchcode from each party and connects said first telephone call with said second telephone call if said matchcodes match; said voice system includes an interface to an on-line data service; said voice system generates a disconnect message for the online data service when said first telephone call is disconnected from said second telephone call.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for establishing a voice connection over a circuit switched network between a first party and a second party that are both coupled to said circuit switched network, each party also having a data terminal, comprising: an on-line data service that is coupled to the data terminals of each party, said on-line data service generates a connect command in response to an input provided by a party through the data terminal; and, a voice system connected to said circuit switched network and said on-line data service, said voice system receives said connect command and connects a first telephone call of the first party with a second telephone call of the second party.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for establishing a voice connection over a circuit switched network between a first party and a second party that are both coupled to said circuit switched network, each party also having a data terminal, comprising: an on-line data service that is coupled to the data terminals of each party, said on-line data service generates a connect command in response to an input provided by a party through the data terminal; and, a voice system connected to said circuit switched network and said on-line data service, said voice system receives said connect command and connects a first telephone call of the first party with a second telephone call of the second party.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said anonymous voice system dials a telephone station of each party.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said connect command includes a matchcode and said anonymous voice system connects said first and second telephone calls when the parties enter matching matchcodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said anonymous voice system generates a disconnect command when said first telephone call is disconnected from said second telephone call.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 15, wherein said disconnect command is sent to said on-line data service.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said anonymous voice input is provided by a graphical user interface of the data terminal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said on-line data service is coupled to the data terminals through a packet switched network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said anonymous voice system includes a switch that connects said first telephone call and said second telephone call.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system as recited in claim 19, wherein said anonymous voice system includes a microprocessor and a memory device which store said entered matchcodes, a first telephone number that corresponds to the first party and a second telephone number that corresponds to the second party.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system as recited in claim 20, wherein said anonymous voice system includes a voice processor which generates audio messages that are provided to the parties. system further receives a matchcode from each party and connects said first telephone call with said second telephone call if said matchcodes match.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-05 | 2002-04-06 | 2002-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-05 | 2006-04-06 | 2006-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-04-06 | 2010-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |