IP Library Granted Patent US 6,879,668
Granted Patent B2
US 6,879,668 · App. 10/136,838 · Granted Apr 12, 2005

System and method for communicating with an out of service telephone number

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,879,668
App. No.
10/136,838
Granted
Apr 12, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for communicating with a subscriber having a first telephone number that is out-of-service comprises providing a database that is accessible at least through a second telephone number, and allowing the subscriber to access the database to post a message. The message is made available to an interested party. A system for a subscriber to communicate with an interested party is also provided.

Claims (33)

1. A method for communicating with a subscriber, the method comprising:

determining that the subscriber has a first telephone number that is out-of-service,

providing a database that is accessible at least through a second telephone number;

allowing the subscriber to access the database to post a message; and

making the message available to an interested party.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the message is a voice message.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the message is an electronic mail message.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the message is posted through the second telephone number.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the message is posted via the Internet.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein making the message available comprises distributing the message to the interested party.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein making the message available comprises allowing the interested party to retrieve the message.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the interested party retrieves the message through the second telephone number.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the interested party retrieves the message through electronic mail.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the interested party retrieves the message via the Internet.

11. A method of establishing communicating between a subscriber and an interested party, the method comprising:

determining that the subscriber has a first telephone number that is temporarily out-of-service;

providing a database that is accessible at least through a second telephone number;

allowing the subscriber to access the database to post a message; and

distributing the message to the interested party.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the message is a voice message.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the message is an electronic mail message.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the message is posted through the second telephone number.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the message is posted through the Internet.

16. A system for a subscriber to communicate with an interested party, the system comprising:

a database that is accessible at least through a second telephone number, the subscriber having a first telephone number that is out-of-service;

means for allowing the subscriber to access the database to post a message; and

means for making the message available to the interested party.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the means for allowing the subscriber scriber to access the database comprises a telephone.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the means for allowing the subscriber to access the database comprises the Internet.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the means for making the message available comprises an interactive voice recognition unit.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the means for making the message available comprises the Internet.

21. The system of claim 16 wherein the means for making the message available comprises an electronic mail server.

22. The system of claim 16 further comprising an intelligent peripheral in communication with the database.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 013160 FRAME 0924. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNEE NAME SHOULD READ: SBC PROPERTIES, L.P.. Recorded May 17, 2017
From: NEUWALD, PETER ROBERT; BOOK, NANCY ANN; MCBLAIN, THOMAS JOSEPH; MOY, WILLIAM M.; GRUCHALA, CAROL SHIFRIN
To: SBC PROPERTIES, L.P.
Reel/Frame 042486/0525 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 013974 FRAME 0542. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded May 5, 2017
From: SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
To: AT&T KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
Reel/Frame 042551/0096 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 014015 FRAME 0689. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded May 5, 2017
From: SBC PROPERTIES, L. P.
To: SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
Reel/Frame 042551/0104 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 013986 FRAME 0525. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded May 5, 2017
From: AT&T KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 042551/0122 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2017
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
To: UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 041660/0584 →