Method and apparatus for anonymous voice communication using an online data service

Abstract

An anonymous telephone communication system. The system includes an anonymous voice system which can establish an anonymous telephone communication through a circuit switched network (CSN). In operation, two parties place separate telephone calls to the anonymous voice system through the CSN. The parties then enter matchcodes through their telephone keypads. The anonymous voice system compares the matchcodes entered by the parties and connects the telephone calls if the matchcodes match. The system may include an on-line data service that establishes electronic communication between the parties through corresponding data terminals. The data terminals may have resident anonymous voice input commands that can be selected by the parties. The on-line data service transmits a connect command to the anonymous voice system which dials the two parties, or waits for the parties to dial the system, and then connects the parties. The anonymous voice system sends a disconnect command to the on-line data service when the parties hang up. The disconnect command can be used by the online service to bill the parties for using the anonymous voice service. The system also stores a couple record during the first anonymous call recording the matchcode and the telephone numbers of both parties. Subsequently, either party may initiate an anonymous call to the other party without prior coordination.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.