Method and apparatus for hiding the identity of a mobile subscriber in response to a permission request
A mobile subscriber can elect to grant permission for the release to a requesting party of information relevant to the mobile subscriber release information. In the alternative, the mobile subscriber can elect to establish a communications path directly with the requesting party. The mobile subscriber can initiate this communications path without divulging their identity or contact information to the requesting party. For example, the mobile subscriber can elect to block a display of their identity and calling information to the requesting party by the use of identity blocking codes or blocking methods that hide this information.
1 . A method for communicating information, comprising the steps of:
receiving a permission release request at a mobile communication device associated with a mobile subscriber operating within a mobile telephone network, the permission release request seeking permission for release of information about the mobile subscriber to a requesting party;
determining if the permission release request comprises a code designating a method of blocking an identification of one of the mobile subscriber or the mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber when communicating with the requesting party;
if the request for permission release request contains the code, then presenting an option for the mobile subscriber to initiate a communication to the requesting party while blocking the identity of the mobile subscriber; and
in response to a selection of the option by the mobile subscriber, communicating with the requesting party via a communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device comprises a voice communication between the mobile subscriber and the requesting party.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device is routed through a “meet me” conference port.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device provides the requested information to the requesting party without presenting the identity of the mobile subscriber.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of communicating the requested information from the mobile subscriber to the requesting party via the communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of communicating the requested information for distribution to the requesting party, based on a determination to disclose the requested information and in response to another action by the mobile subscriber.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining the code appropriate for blocking the identification of one of a mobile subscriber or the mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber based on a current location of the mobile communications device.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of querying a home location register associated with the mobile communication device to determine the current location of the mobile communications device.
9 . A method for communicating information, comprising the steps of:
receiving a permission release request at a mobile communication device associated with a mobile subscriber, the permission release request seeking permission for release to a requesting party of information about the mobile subscriber;
determining if the permission release request defines a method for blocking an identification of one of the mobile subscriber or the mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber when communicating with the requesting party;
if the request for permission identifies a blocking method, determining whether the mobile communications device has entered a mobile telephone network other than a mobile telephone network associated with the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device received the permission release request;
if the request for permission release request defines a blocking method and the mobile communications device has entered the mobile telephone network other than the mobile telephone network associated with the mobile communication device, then disabling the blocking method,
if the request for permission release request defines a blocking method and the mobile communications device is operating within the mobile telephone network associated with the mobile communication device, then enabling an option for the mobile subscriber to initiate a communication to the requesting party while blocking the identity of the mobile subscriber, and
if the request for permission release does not define a blocking method, then disabling the option for the mobile subscriber to block their identity when initiating a communication to the requesting party.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the mobile telephone network is defined by the geographical boundary of a country.
11 . A method for communicating, comprising the steps of
receiving at an information system a query derived from a request by a requesting party for information about a mobile subscriber,
responsive to the query, issuing a permission release request from the information system to a mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber, the permission release request seeking permission for release of the requested information on behalf of the requesting party and identifying the requesting party;
in response to an action taken by the mobile subscriber, communicating with the requesting party via a communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party identified by the permission release request.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device comprises a voice communication between the mobile subscriber and the requesting party.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device is routed through a “meet me” conference port.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device provides the requested information to the requesting party without presenting the identity of the mobile subscriber.
15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of communicating the requested information from the mobile subscriber to the requesting party via the communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party.
16 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of communicating the requested information for distribution to the requesting party based on a determination to disclose the requested information and in response to another action by the mobile subscriber.
17 . A method for communicating between a mobile subscriber of a mobile telephone network and a requesting party seeking information about the mobile subscriber, comprising the steps of
receiving a query derived from a request by the requesting party for the information about the mobile subscriber,
responsive to the query, issuing a permission release request to a mobile communication device associated with the mobile subscriber, the permission release request seeking permission for release of the requested information on behalf of the requesting party and identifying the requesting party;
responsive to receipt of the permission release request at the mobile communications device, determining whether to disclose the requested information to the requesting party based on presentation of at least a portion of the permission release request to the mobile subscriber; and
in response to an action by the mobile subscriber, communicating with the requesting party via a communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party identified by the permission release request.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device comprises a voice communication between the mobile subscriber and the requesting party.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the communication originated by the mobile communication device provides the requested information to the requesting party without presenting the identity of the mobile subscriber.
20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of communicating the requested information from the mobile subscriber to the requesting party via the communication originated by the mobile communication device to the requesting party.