Using a masking value for contact identification
AssigneeFunnel Leasing, Inc.
InventorMichael E. Mueller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A relationship management system and method are configured to enable a user to manage a relationship with their contacts from the initial interaction through the life cycle of a transaction or relationship and beyond. For example, a relationship management system may record and sort all communications (for example, phone calls, text messages, and emails) into a contact's profile, empowering a user to easily see the entire relationship at a glance. Moreover, using actionable business intelligence, an exemplary relationship management system may utilize a workflow engine to send notifications, schedule tasks, and allow users to see reports, thus allowing a user to increase productivity and save time. Exemplary relationship management systems are configured for use in the multi-family housing industry.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- masking, by a processor, source-identifying information of an outbound communication with a masking value;
- sending, by the processor, the outbound communication with the masking value to a known contact;
- receiving, by the processor and from the known contact, an incoming communication comprising the masking value;
- identifying, by the processor, the known contact in the incoming communication based on the masking value, wherein the masking value is set to hide at least a portion of the source-identifying information in the incoming communication;
- determining, by the processor, that the incoming communication is from the known contact, based on the incoming communication including the masking value;
- storing, by the processor, the incoming communication into a first file associated with the known contact,
- receiving, by the processor, an unknown communication;
- determining, by the processor, that the unknown communication is from an unknown contact, based on the unknown communication lacking the masking value;
- and
- recording, by the processor, the unknown communication into a second file associated with the unknown contact.
A system comprising:
- a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with a processor;
- and
- the tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
- masking, by the processor, source-identifying information of an outbound communication with a masking value;
- sending, by the processor, the outbound communication with the masking value to a known contact;
- receiving, by the processor and from the known contact, an incoming communication comprising the masking value;
- identifying, by the processor, the known contact in the incoming communication based on the masking value, wherein the masking value is set to hide at least a portion of the source-identifying information in the incoming communication;
- determining, by the processor, that the incoming communication is from the known contact, based on the incoming communication including the masking value;
- storing, by the processor, the incoming communication into a first file associated with the known contact,
- receiving, by the processor, an unknown communication;
- determining, by the processor, that the unknown communication is from an unknown contact, based on the unknown communication lacking the masking value;
- and
- recording, by the processor, the unknown communication into a second file associated with the unknown contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.