Disposable telephone numbers
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that provide disposable numbers for a conference service. A disposable number is assigned to a conference bridge that is only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated. A call is received to the disposable number, and the call is routed to the conference bridge. A database is queried that associates the disposable number to a subscriber's number. Subscriber information is retrieved that describes when a conference bridge subscription is active. If the conference bridge subscription is active, then a caller is connected to the conference bridge. If the conference bridge subscription is inactive, then the caller is prompted to pay for a conference service.
1. A method, comprising:
associating, by a server, a conference bridge to a defined period of time of activation, after which the conference bridge associated with a disposable number is deactivated;
determining, by the server, an expiration of the conference bridge for a day and time of the call;
disposing of, by the server, the disposable number in response to the expiration;
receiving, by the server after disposal of the disposable number, a call from a calling number to the disposable number associated with the conference bridge;
determining, by the server, the conference bridge is inactive for a date and time of the call to the disposable number;
routing, by the server, the call to the conference bridge in response to the conference bridge being inactive;
sending, by the server, a prompt to the calling number to pay for the conference bridge in response to the conference bridge being inactive;
receiving, by the server, an acknowledgment of a payment for the conference bridge; and
authorizing, by the server, the conference bridge in response to the payment.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising retrieving subscription information associated with the conference bridge.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising comparing the subscription information to the day and time of the call.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising processing the payment for the conference bridge.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a credit card number as the payment for the conference bridge.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving the payment for the conference bridge.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising abandoning the conference bridge.
8. A system, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing instructions that when executed cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
associating a disposable number to a conference bridge and to a subscriber phone number;
associating the conference bridge to a defined period of time of activation, after which the conference bridge is deactivated;
determining an expiration of the conference bridge;
disposing of the disposable number in response to the expiration of the conference bridge;
processing, after disposal, a call to the disposable number assigned to the conference bridge;
determining the conference bridge is inactive for a date and time of the call to the disposable number;
routing the call to the conference bridge in response to the conference bridge being inactive;
sending a prompt to a calling number of the call, the prompt requiring payment for a conference service in response to the conference bridge being inactive; and
processing the conference service to the conference bridge in response to the payment.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising retrieving subscription information associated with the conference bridge.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising comparing the subscription information to the date and time of the call.
11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising processing the payment for the conference service.
12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising receiving a credit card number as the payment for the conference service.
13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising receiving the payment for the conference service.
14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising abandoning the conference bridge in response to a declination of the payment.
15. A memory device storing instructions that when executed cause a computer to perform operations, the operations comprising:
storing an association between a disposable number and information describing a conference bridge;
associating the conference bridge to a defined period of time of activation, after which the conference bridge is deactivated;
determining an expiration of the conference bridge;
disposing of the disposable number in response to the expiration;
receiving, after disposal of the disposable number, a call from a calling number to the disposable number;
determining the conference bridge is inactive for a date and time of the call to the disposable number;
routing the call to the conference bridge in response to the conference bridge being inactive;
sending a prompt to the calling number of the call, the prompt requiring payment for a conference service in response to the conference bridge being inactive; and
processing the conference service to the conference bridge in response to the payment.
16. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise processing an announcement associated with the disposable number.
17. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise processing a distinctive ring associated with the disposable number.
18. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise processing the payment.
19. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving a credit card number as the payment.
20. The memory device of claim 19 , wherein the operations further comprise processing a credit card number as the payment.