Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Messaging gateway for directory and anonymous services
- Patent Title (中): 用于目录和匿名服务的消息传递网关
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Application No.: US11226455Application Date: 2005-09-15
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Publication No.: US08774381B1Publication Date: 2014-07-08
- Inventor: John Ernest Keeling , Barry Appelman
- Applicant: John Ernest Keeling , Barry Appelman
- Applicant Address: US VA Dulles
- Assignee: AOL Inc.
- Current Assignee: AOL Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US VA Dulles
- Agency: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP
- Main IPC: H04M3/42
- IPC: H04M3/42 ; H04M1/64

Abstract:
A subscriber who seeks to block access to contact information may receive identifying information for people attempting to access the subscriber's contact information. The subscriber also may be provided interfaces to enable the attempting person to contact the subscriber, in a variety of escalating forms, without revealing the subscriber's contact information. In a particular implementation, a request is received from an information seeker for contact information for a subscriber. A data structure is accessed that includes an indication that the subscriber should be provided with information relating to requests received for the subscriber's contact information. A message address for the subscriber is accessed, and a message is sent to the subscriber indicating the request for the subscriber's contact information. The requested contact information for the subscriber is withheld from the information seeker absent an indication from the subscriber that the requested contact information may be provided to the information seeker.
Information query