Temporary device numbers for text messaging
View Patent ↗Systems, methods, and software for transferring text messages are provided herein. A method includes indicating to a wireless communication device a temporary address number, receiving an instruction from a user of the wireless communication device to transfer a text message to a destination number using the temporary address number instead of a device number of the wireless communication device. The method also includes transferring the text message for delivery to the destination number, receiving a response text message from the destination number indicating the temporary address number as a response destination number, and transferring the response text message for delivery to the routing node associated with the temporary address number. The method also includes translating the response destination number of the response text message into the device number of the wireless communication device, and transferring the response text message for delivery to the wireless communication device using the device number.
1. A method of operating a wireless communication device having a device phone number to transfer one of a Short Message Service (SMS) message and a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, the method comprising:
receiving an instruction from a user of the wireless communication device to transfer the one of the SMS message and the MMS message to a destination and in response, presenting a graphical user interface element allowing a user of the wireless communication device to select one of the device phone number and a temporary phone number as the originating phone number for the one of the SMS message and the MMS message;
receiving an instruction from the user of the wireless communication device to transfer the one of the SMS message and the MMS message to a destination using the temporary phone number as the originating phone number for the one of the SMS message and the MMS message; and
transferring the one of the SMS message and the MMS message for delivery to the destination indicating the temporary phone number as the originating phone number.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the temporary phone number has a time limit for use in a response message to the wireless communication device.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising indicating the time limit to the user.
4. The method of claim 2 further comprising indicating the time limit in the one of the SMS message and the MMS message.
5. A wireless communication device having a device phone number to transfer one of a Short Message Service (SMS) message and a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, comprising:
a user display configured to receive an instruction from a user of the wireless communication device to transfer the one of the SMS message and the MMS message to a destination and in response, present a graphical user interface element allowing a user of the wireless communication device to select one of the device phone number and a temporary phone number as the originating phone number for the one of the SMS message and the MMS message, and receive an instruction from the user of the wireless communication device to transfer the one of the SMS message and the MMS message to a destination number using the temporary phone number as the originating phone number for the one of the SMS message and the MMS message; and
a wireless communication transceiver configured to transfer the one of the SMS message and the MMS message for delivery to the destination number indicating the temporary phone number as the originating phone number.
6. The wireless communication device of claim 5 wherein the temporary phone number has a time limit for use in a response message to the wireless communication device.
7. The wireless communication device of claim 6 comprising the user display configured to indicate the time limit to the user.
8. The wireless communication device of claim 6 comprising the user display configured to indicate the time limit in the one of the SMS message and the MMS message.