IP Library Granted Patent US 9,106,477
Granted Patent B1
US 9,106,477 · App. 12/768,400 · Granted Aug 11, 2015

Anonymous calling

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,106,477
App. No.
12/768,400
Granted
Aug 11, 2015
Kind
B1
Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer-readable media for initiating anonymous communication between a first user and a second user. In particular, an anonymous communication request is transmitted from a first user to a session management node. The anonymous communication request may include search criteria provided by the first user. Based on the search criteria, the session management node many generate a query to a profile server. The profile server may identify a second user based on the search criteria provided by the first user. Additionally, the profile server may provide an identifier of the second user to the session management node. Further, the session management node may initiate anonymous communication between the first user and the second user.

Claims (30)

1. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, cause a computing device to perform a method of initiating anonymous communication between a first user device and a second user device, the method comprising:

transmitting, from the first user device, a call request to be connected to another user device matching a first set of criteria provided by the first user device, wherein the first set of criteria comprise characteristics of a vehicle associated with the second user device;

receiving, in the first user device, a message indicating a plurality of anonymous identifiers comprising hidden identities of a plurality of user devices other than the first user device, the plurality of user devices selected based on the plurality of user devices matching the first set of criteria;

receiving a user selection of the second user device from among the plurality of user devices by receiving a selection of one of the plurality of anonymous identifiers corresponding to the second user device; and

transferring, from the first user device, an anonymous communication request for an anonymous communication session with the second user device wherein the anonymous communication request indicates the one of the plurality of anonymous identifiers corresponding to the second user device and a request of the first user device for information from the second user device comprising a description of a question for the information.

2. The computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the first set of criteria is provided by the first user device within the call request.

3. The computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein matching the first set of criteria comprises matching a portion of the first set of criteria.

4. The computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein transferring the anonymous communication request comprises transferring the anonymous communication request for receipt by a session management node.

5. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, cause a computing device to perform a method of initiating anonymous communication between a first user device and a second user device, the method comprising:

receiving, transferred by the first user device, a call request to be connected to another user device matching a first set of criteria provided by the first user device, wherein the first set of criteria comprise characteristics of a vehicle associated with the second user device;

identifying a plurality of user devices other than the first user device that match the first set of criteria; and

transferring a message indicating anonymous identifiers of the plurality of user devices comprising hidden identities of the plurality of user devices for delivery to the first user device to be used in initiating anonymous communication between the first user device and ones of the plurality of user devices;

receiving, transferred by the first user device, an anonymous communication request for an anonymous communication session with the second user device, the anonymous communication request indicating one of the plurality of anonymous identifiers corresponding to the second user device and a request of the first user device for information from the second user device comprising a description of a question for the information.

6. The computer-readable media of claim 5 , wherein the first set of criteria is provided by the first user device within the call request.

7. The computer-readable media of claim 5 , wherein matching the first set of criteria comprises matching a portion of the first set of criteria.

8. The computer-readable media of claim 5 , further comprising:

querying a location server based on the first set of criteria.

9. The computer-readable media of claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving information in response to querying the location server indicating the plurality of user devices.

10. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, cause a computing device to perform a method of initiating anonymous communication between a first user device and a second user device, the method comprising:

receiving, transferred by the first user device within a first geographic area, a call request to be connected to another user device within a second geographic area, the other user device matching a first set of criteria provided by the first user device, wherein the first set of criteria comprise characteristics of a vehicle associated with the second user device;

identifying a plurality of user devices other than the first user device in the second geographic area that match the first set of criteria; and

transferring a message indicating anonymous identifiers comprising a hidden identities of the plurality of user devices for delivery to the first user device to be used in initiating anonymous communication between the first user device and ones of the plurality of user devices;

receiving, transferred by the first user device, an anonymous communication request for an anonymous communication session with the second user device wherein the anonymous communication request indicates one of the plurality of anonymous identifiers corresponding to the second user device and a request of the first user device for information from the second user device comprising a description of a question for the information.

11. The computer-readable media of claim 10 , wherein the first set of criteria is provided by the first user device within the call request.

12. The computer-readable media of claim 10 , wherein matching the first set of criteria comprises matching a portion of the first set of criteria.

13. The computer-readable media of claim 10 , further comprising:

querying a profile server based on the first set of criteria.

14. The computer-readable media of claim 13 , further comprising:

receiving information in response to querying the profile server.

Assignments (3)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Apr 2, 2020
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
Reel/Frame 052969/0475 →
GRANT OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Mar 6, 2017
From: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 041895/0210 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2010
From: YOUNGS, SIMON; KOLLER, GARY D.; JETHWA, PIYUSH; MCMULLEN, MICHAEL P.
To: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
Reel/Frame 024296/0856 →