1111111111111111111111111111111111111101i111101,1111811111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0295798 Al
`Oct. 2, 2014
`Roach, JR. (cid:9)
`(43) Pub. Date: (cid:9)
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE
`TO THE GRANT OF A SUBSCRIBER'S
`PERMISSION
`
`(71) Applicant: Resource Consortium Limited, Tortola
`(VG)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04W12/08
`H04W4/02
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC (cid:9)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Peter 0. Roach, JR., Atlanta, GA (US)
`
`USPC (cid:9)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
` H04W12/08 (2013.01); H04W4/02
`(2013.01)
`455/411
`
`
`
`(73) Assignee: Resource Consortium Limited, Tortola
`(VG)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/271,154
`
`(22) Filed: (cid:9)
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 11/336,071, filed on
`Jan. 20, 2006, now Pat. No. 8,718,605.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/645,687, filed on Jan.
`21, 2005, provisional application No. 60/723,702,
`filed on Oct. 5, 2005.
`
`Confirmation of a mobile subscriber's permission to release
`their personal information is completed prior to transmitting
`the information to a requesting party. The mobile subscriber
`can view the requesting party's identity prior to making a
`decision to release their directory information. In the alterna-
`tive, the mobile subscriber can contact the requesting party
`directly without a release of their personal information. Other
`types of information, such as location information, can also
`be communicated to a requesting party by this permission
`grant methodology.
`
`115
`Directory
`information
`message
`
`140
`Query
`
`100 Cellular
`Network
`
`190
`Time out
`message
`
`160
`Permission
`release
`request
`
`180 Cellular
`Network
`
`130
`Directory
`Assistance
`
`150
`MDMS
`Server
`
`170
`Mobile
`equipment
`
`113
`Permission
`grant
`message
`
`119
`Equipment
`type
`lookup
`
`Cellular
`Number
`Databate
`111
`
`114
`Permission
`release
`response
`
`120
`Directory
`assistance
`call
`
`112
`Equipment
`type
`response
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014 Sheet 1 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2014/0295798 Al
`
`115
`Directory
`information
`message
`
`140
`Query
`
`100 Cellular
`Network (cid:9)
`
`190
`Time out
`message
`
`160
`Permission
`release
`request
`
`180 Cellular
`Network
`
`130
`Directory
`Assistance
`
`-
`
`160
`MDMS
`Server
`
`170
`Mobile
`equipment
`
`120
`Directory
`assistance
`call (cid:9)
`
`112
`Equipment
`type
`response
`
`Cellular
`Number
`Database
`
`113
`Permission
`grant (cid:9)
`114
`message Permission
`release
`response
`
`Equipment (cid:9)
`
`119
`
`type
`lookup
`
`Figure lA
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`VI Jo Z loollS
`
`Iv 86LS6Z0/1710Z SR
`
`1601
`
`Cellular
`etwork
`
`o‘n - - -
`
`1600 (cid:9)
`
`1610 (cid:9)
`
`1620
`
`1630
`
`Query__ * (cid:9)
`DA (cid:9) . Prqgrpss MDMS . SM SRI ti
`abandon
`Send SM
`S stem (cid:9)
`-
`14 Server Receive SM
`y
`J Permission
`
`- - - ASS°
`1610
`
`1640 1650
`
`1607
`Directory
`request
`1606
`Requesting
`party
`
`1625
`Mobile
`Equipment
`
`1607
`Mobile
`Subscriber
`
`Figure 1B
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014 Sheet 3 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2014/0295798 Al
`
`210 Terminate
`call
`
`220
`oes cello
`want
`landline
`umber?
`
` 250
`Treat as
`normal DA
`call
`
`Is
`landline
`number
`known?
`
`Play 260
`announcement
`
`Terminate
`call w/o
`answer
`upervisio
`
`270
`
`ncoming
`Request
`
`290
`Is DA for
`mobile
`
`13
`SMRR
`return
`MSRN
`
`233
`s mobile
`number
`nown?
`
`Yes
`
`214 (cid:9)
`Send HLR
`Lookup
`(SMRR)
`
`217
`Send SMS
`to MSRN
`
`218
`Start
`timer
`
`rmissi
`message
`received
`219
`
`215
`Timer
`expired
`
`Yes
`
`225
`
`th
`calling
`number a
`mobile
`b
`
`Yes
`224
`Play
`announcement
`
`229
`Provide
`answer
`supervision
`
`ermission
`granted
`222
`
`Terminate call
`
`Figure 2
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014 Sheet 4 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2014/0295798 Al
`
`310
`D s cal
` party want
`SMS
`'ficati
`
`no
`
`330
`Terminate call
`
`Yes
`
`320
`
`Collect
`cellular
`number
`
`Timer
`expired
`
`rmissi
`message
`received
`
`Yes
`
`360
`Send Info
`via SMS
`
`370
`Handle
`Timeout
`
`Figure 3
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`Patent Application Publication (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014 Sheet 5 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2014/0295798 Al
`
`From Cingular — John Smith at
`404-843-0431 is requesting your
`
`directory information. May we
`
`release it?
`Yes
`
`No
`More Information
`
`Figure 4
`
`From Cingular — John Smith at
`
`404-843-0431 requested your
`directory information at 2:30 on
`Tuesday September 22nd.
`
`You can call him back or
`
`alternatively we can provide your
`directory information directly.
`I will call
`
`Please release my information
`Ignore
`
`More Information
`
`Figure 5
`
`410
`
`420
`
`430
`
`510
`
`520
`
`530
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014 Sheet 6 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2014/0295798 Al
`
`You can call John Smith at
`404-843-0431 while blocking your
`calling identification. To do this you
`must dial *67 before the telephone
`number. Would you like to call now?
`Yes and block my number
`Yes - do not block my ID
`I Do Not Want to Call
`
`-^.-..,.,
`
`610
`
`] 620
`
`630
`
`Figure 6
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`C
`et
`
`,..IN
`IN
`0
`.1=.
`
`171 JO L WIN
`
`Iv 86LS6Z0/1710Z SR
`
`From Cingular -John Smith at
`
`404-843-0431 is requesting your
`
`directory information. May we
`
`720 (cid:9)
`
` 730
`Releasess
`formatiwn—<
`
`You can call John Smith at
`
`404-843-0431 while blocking your
`
`calling identification. To do this you
`
`must dial *67 before the telephone
`
`number. Would you like to call now?
`
`release it?
`
`Yes
`
`No
`
`More Information
`
`710
`
`760
`
`740
`
`750
`
`From Cingular -John Smith at
`
`770
`
`404443-0431 requested your
`
`712
`
`713
`714
`
`Yes and block my number
`
`Yes - do not block my ID
`
`I Do Not Want to Call
`
`711
`
`Screen
`Time Out
`
`780 Note
`Only appears
`if SMS delivery
`flag is enabled
`
`directory information at 2:30 on
`
`Tuesday September 22nd.
`
`You can call him back or
`
`alternatively we can provide your
`
`directory information directly.
`
`I will call
`
`Please release my information
`
`715
`
`Ignore
`
`More Information
`
`790
`
`Releases
`formatio
`
`716
`
`73$
`
`Figure 7
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`Patent Application Publication (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014 Sheet 8 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2014/0295798 Al
`
`8 0
`
`820
`
`Set screened
`call indicator
`in trigger message
`to No
`
`830 (cid:9)
`
`Set screened
`call indicator
`in trigger message
`to Yes
`
`840
`Determine cell phone
`serving network
`from the borne
`network query
`
`850
`
`Look up appropriate
`CLIP block code
`for severing network
`
`860
`
`Include CLID
`block code
`in trigger message
`
`of
`
`Figure 8
`
`920
`
`Only allow calling
`without providing
`identification
`
`910
`
`930
`
`oes trigge
`essage indicate
`screened
`message?
`
`Display phone
`number on user
`screens
`
`940
`
`Display name on
`user screens
`
`950
`Display option to
`allow contact with the
`requesting party
`directly with identity info.
`
`900
`
`Begin subroutine
`
`970
`
`End subroutine
`
`960
`
`Display
`screened call
`indicator
`
`Figure 9
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`VI Jo 6 loollS
`
`IV 86LS6Z0/1710Z SR
`
`Roamed to Mobile
`Network
`
`1000
`
`Home Mobile
`Network
`
`1020
`
`1030
`Location
`Update
`
`1050
`Location
`Query
`(SMRR)
`
`Home
`Location
`Register
`
`1040 -------
`
`Figure 10
`
`1060
`Location
`Query Response
`
`1070
`
`MDMS Platform
`
`I
`.--._
`
`(cid:9)_--1
`Identity
`blocking
`codes
`by network
`
`(cid:9)----
`1090
`
`1080
`--•- Database
`Query
`
`1013
`Database
`Query
`Response
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014 Sheet 10 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2014/0295798 Al
`
`1110
`
`D
`
`the m
`bile
`P Yes
`scriber loo
`contain a
`ork c
`net
`
`1120
`
`Look up CUD
`cancel code
`for country
`
`1140
`he CL
`ancel cod
`found in
`tabas
`
`Yes
`
`50
`Send CLID
`cancel code
`to application
`
`1160
`
`1130
`end message
`with no CLID
`cancel code.
`
`Figure 11
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014 Sheet 11 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2014/0295798 Al
`
`Yes 1 1220
`
`Display option
`to contact
`requesting party
`directly.
`
`1210
`
`s mes
`Do
`contain an
`entificatio
`k co
`
`1230
`Withhold option to
`contact requesting
`party directly
`
`Figure 12
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014 Sheet 12 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2014/0295798 Al
`
`1310
`the pho
`number
`vailable
`
`Yes
`
`1320 (cid:9)
`Is the
`name
`vailable
`
`1330
`
`Collect
`name from
`mobile
`subscriber
`
`No
`Do not offer
`option to
`save to
`onebook
`
`Ch
`
`Yes 1350
`
`Allow user
`to edit
`information
`
`Allow user
`to save
`information to
`mobile
`phonebook
`
`137
`
`Return to
`application
`
`Figure 13
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication C
`
` et
`1L'i
`IN
`0
`.1=.
`
`VI Jo £1 loollS
`
`IV 86LS6Z0/1710Z SR
`
`1400 Originating
`
`1480
`
`Call to Requesting Party
`
`1430
`1440
`Directory (cid:9)
`Assistance Request
`Message
`
`.
`
`1450
`MOMS
`Server
`
`Cellular 1412
`Network /...1
`
`1470 -'-'
`
`r
`
`1460
`Trigger
`Message
`
`Call to Meet
`Me Conference
`
`L (cid:9)
`Meet Me
`Conference
`System
`
`I (cid:9)
`
`Call to Mobile Subscriber
`----- 1411
`
`1490
`
`Call to Meet Me Conference
`
`1413
`
`Figure 14
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014 Sheet 14 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2014/0295798 Al
`
`1500
`
`1520
`Directory
`Assistance
`
`1511
`
`1530
`
`*
`
`Cellular
`1580
`Network
`
`1540
`MOMS
`Server
`* ; ,
`1550: 1 1560
`----...„
`------
`(cid:9)..„--
`Mobile
`equipment
`functionality
`database
`\ ---__ 1570 (cid:9)
`
`Figure 15
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`

`US 2014/0295798 Al (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014
`
`1
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE
`TO THE GRANT OF A SUBSCRIBER'S
`PERMISSION
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] Priority is claimed as a continuation application to
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/336,071, filed Jan. 20,
`2006 and entitled "Method And Apparatus For Providing
`Information in Response To The Grant Of A Subscriber's
`Permission" (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,718,605), which claims
`priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 60/645,687, filed Jan. 21, 2005, entitled
`"Methods and Apparatuses for Providing User Authorized
`Contact Information for a Cellphone Subscriber," and U.S.
`Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/723,702, filed Oct.
`5, 2005, entitled "Methods and Apparatuses for Providing
`Directory Information Following the Receipt of Delayed
`Granting of Subscriber Permission." The disclosures of the
`aforementioned priority applications are incorporated herein
`by reference in their entirety.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates generally to wireless
`networks and more particularly to the offering of directory
`assistance for mobile subscribers post receiving the mobile
`subscriber's permission to release the information. The
`invention allows the called party to grant or deny permission
`to release the relevant information to the requesting party as
`well as providing the relevant information to the requesting
`party in the event the subscriber's permission is delayed.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] Currently a large percentage of the population own
`and use a cellular phone, mobile telephone, voice over wire-
`less IP, or other wirelessly connected communications device
`(hereafter referred to as a mobile subscriber) as their primary
`method of communication. While the mobile connection is
`extremely useful for instant communications and accessibil-
`ity, many mobile subscribers do not wish to publish their
`number in a directory or allow an information services pro-
`vider, such as, the directory assistance operator, to have ready
`access to or disseminate their contact information. The
`mobile subscriber may desire to limit this access due to
`numerous reasons; e.g., privacy, limit access from telemar-
`keters, recent changes in their life status, or a plethora of other
`reasons.
`[0004] Currently directory assistance operators use a tele-
`phone number database to provide the information services
`and usually the service is billed to the calling or requesting
`party's telephone bill. Typically the directory assistance data-
`bases are hours, days, weeks or even months old. The direc-
`tory assistance usually does not provide any information indi-
`cating who is allowed to access the directory listing or any
`restrictions as to the use and dissemination of the subscriber's
`directory information. Since the directory assistance system
`is typically an "all or nothing" proposition, this opens up the
`possibility for abuse of this database or for use of the directory
`assistance information in a manner that may be adverse to the
`mobile subscriber's best interest at the time a directory
`request is made.
`
`[0005] There are two major reasons the mobile subscriber
`user may wish to restrict certain parties' access to their con-
`tact information in real-time. The first being the ready access
`the mobile phone service provides to the user. Since most
`users usually carry their mobile phone with them, they can be
`easily contacted at any time and place using their mobile
`phone. Today the user can limit this access to callers who they
`have given their mobile phone number or to others who are
`trusted by the user at the current time. Since, in this modern
`world, relationships change at a rapid pace or they tend to be
`more situational, many mobile subscribers wish to have real-
`time control over a caller's access to their contact information
`and provide it to a requesting party on a case-by-case basis.
`The second reason the user may wish to restrict this informa-
`tion is that often the user is required to pay for all calls made
`to or from their mobile phone. The user may not wish to pay
`to talk with certain types of callers or the mobile subscriber
`may desire to screen who has access to their contact informa-
`tion.
`[0006] Typically the method used in landline communica-
`tions networks to restrict access to directory assistance infor-
`mation has been to allow the user to have an unlisted number.
`This allows for an opt-out method for the users to restrict their
`contact information. Another method that has been suggested
`far disseminating mobile subscriber's contact information is
`a method where the mobile subscriber can opt-in to a direc-
`tory or add their number to the directory assistance listing.
`The problem with both of these methods is that they treat all
`callers who are requesting directory information with the
`same level of importance. For instance a mobile subscriber
`may wish to opt-out (or not opt-in) to a directory in order to
`limit access by telemarketers; however, the mobile subscriber
`would like their babysitter to be able get their number from
`directly assistance in the event of an emergency. There have
`been numerous efforts to get an opt-in or opt-out mobile
`phone directory into the market, but these efforts have met
`with little success in the United States.
`[0007] What is required is a method and apparatus that
`allows a mobile subscriber to control the access to their con-
`tact information in real-time or near real-time. This method
`and apparatus should be able to distinguish between different
`calling parties and should be able to restrict, limit, or allow
`access to the contact information, location, address, or other
`personal information associated with the mobile subscriber
`on an instance-by-instance basis. What is also needed is a
`method and apparatus that allows a mobile subscriber to
`provide a delayed or non-real-time grant of permission to
`release their information and to have that information routed
`to the person or device requesting the information.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0008] The present invention solves the needs of the prior
`art by providing an inventive solution for offering informa-
`tion services. For one aspect of the invention, a query is
`received, typically by an MDMS server, based on a request
`from a requesting party for information about a mobile sub-
`scriber of a mobile telephone network. The requested infor-
`mation typically comprises directory assistance information
`for the mobile subscriber. Directory assistance information
`can comprise location information, identity, telephone num-
`ber, address, or other information specific to the mobile sub-
`scriber.
`[0009] In response to the query, a permission release
`request is issued to a mobile communication device associ-
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`US 2014/0295798 Al (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014
`
`2
`
`ated with the mobile subscriber. This permission release
`request seeks permission for release of the requested infor-
`mation on behalf of the requesting party. The requested infor-
`mation is distributed to the requesting party in response to
`receipt of a permission release response output by the mobile
`communication device. The permission release response,
`typically initiated by an action taken by the mobile subscriber
`or by automated logic of the communication device, provides
`permission for communication of the requested information
`to the requesting party.
`[0010] For example, the permission release response can be
`output by the mobile communication device in response to an
`automated decision made by logic of the mobile communi-
`cation device. In the alternative, the permission release
`response can be output by the mobile communication device
`in response to a decision made by the mobile subscriber,
`based on interactions with a user interface of the mobile
`communication device. More specifically, the permission
`release response can be output by the mobile communication
`device in response to a decision made by the mobile sub-
`scriber as a result of a presentation by a user interface of the
`mobile communication device, the presentation providing an
`identity of the requesting party.
`[0011] The status of the mobile communication device
`associated with the mobile subscriber can be obtained by
`requesting status information from a customer data base
`maintained by the mobile telephone network. The acquisition
`of this status information, in advance of issuing the permis-
`sion release request, can facilitate communications with the
`mobile communication device. For example, an appropriate
`manner for communicating with the mobile communication
`device can be identified with access to the status information
`for that mobile communication device.
`[0012] The requested information can distributed to the
`requesting party in the form one or more of the following: a
`text message transmitted to the a mobile communication
`device of the requesting party; an integrated voice response
`device (IVR) speaking the requested information to the
`requesting party, an operator calling the requesting party with
`the requested information; a web page presenting the
`requested information; a video message transmitted to the
`mobile communication device of the requesting party; a mul-
`timedia message transmitted to the mobile communication
`device of the requesting party; and an electronic mail message
`presenting the requested information.
`[0013] For another aspect of the invention, an inventive
`solution is provided for information services in connection
`with a request made by a requesting party about a mobile
`subscriber who subscribes to telephony services supported by
`a mobile telephone network. A request is received from the
`requesting party for information about the mobile subscriber.
`In response to the request, a communication is initiated with
`a mobile subscriber, typically based on a communication to
`the subscriber's mobile communication device or handset, to
`seek permission for release of the requested information on
`behalf of the requesting party. The trigger event for this
`request for information is an action taken by the requesting
`party (cid:9)
`an individual or entity other than the mobile sub-
`scriber (cid:9) where the subject of the requested information is the
`mobile subscriber and/or the handset associated with that
`subscriber. A communication can be received from the
`mobile subscriber granting permission for release of the
`requested information to the requesting party. In response to
`
`the permission gram, the requested information can be com-
`munication to the requesting party.
`[0014] For yet another aspect of the invention, a mobile
`subscriber can control the release of information about that
`subscriber based on interaction with the user interface of the
`subscriber's mobile communication device or handset. The
`mobile subscriber and the mobile communication device are
`typically associated with a "home" mobile communication
`network. The mobile communication device can receive a
`permission release request issued by an information system
`that is typically implemented as a component independent of
`the mobile telephone network. The information system can be
`implemented, for example, as a server, such as an MDMS
`server, or a part of a directory assistance platform.
`[0015] The permission release request seeks permission for
`release of information about the mobile subscriber to a
`requesting party. The mobile subscriber can decide whether
`to release the requested information based on identifying
`information about the requesting party, such as the telephone
`number or name of the requesting party, as presented by a user
`interface of the mobile communication device. If the mobile
`subscriber elects to grant permission, the subscriber can inter-
`act with the user interface to support the issuance of a per-
`mission release response from the mobile communication
`device to the information system. In the alternative, the
`mobile communications device can include logic that auto-
`matically responds to the permission release request by issu-
`ing a permission release response via the mobile telephone
`network. This permission release response provides permis-
`sion for communication of the requested information from
`the information system for use by the requesting party.
`[0016] Another aspect of the invention supports the com-
`munication of information about a mobile subscriber associ-
`ated with a mobile communications telephone and a mobile
`telephone network. A directory assistance system or platform
`can receive a query from a requesting party for information
`about the mobile subscriber. The directory assistance plat-
`form may determine that the requested information is not
`available at the platform (as a result, for example, of the
`mobile subscriber being a subscriber of wireless telephony
`services rather than conventional landline telephony ser-
`vices.). The directory assistance platform can issue a query to
`an information system, typically implemented as a server or
`component separate from the directory assistance system, for
`the requested information. The information system,
`described herein as an MDMS server, typically operates as
`equipment independent of the mobile telephone network. In
`response to the query issued by the directory assistance sys-
`tem, the information system can issue a permission release
`request from the information system to a mobile communi-
`cation device associated with the mobile subscriber. This
`permission release request seeks permission for release of the
`requested information on behalf of the requesting party. The
`information system releases the requested information to the
`directory assistance system, for distribution to the requesting
`party, in response to receipt of a permission release response
`output by the mobile communication device. The permission
`release response provides permission for communication of
`at least a portion of the requested information to the request-
`ing party.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0017] FIG. 1A is an illustration of an information system
`constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
`the present invention.
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`US 2014/0295798 Al (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014
`
`3
`
`[0018] FIG. 1B is an illustration of an information system
`that responds to receipt of a directory assistance query by
`issuing a request for permission to release information about
`a mobile subscriber, in accordance with an exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention.
`[0019] FIG. 2 is a flow chart detailing a decision process for
`determining call handling in an exemplary embodiment of the
`system.
`[0020] FIG. 3 is a flow chart detailing a decision process for
`determining call handling in an exemplary embodiment of the
`system.
`[0021] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary example of
`an initial screen provided to a mobile subscriber requesting
`permission to release their directory information.
`[0022] FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary example of
`a time out screen provided to a mobile subscriber requesting
`permission to release their directory information.
`[0023] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary example of
`a screen providing options for allowing a mobile subscriber to
`contact a requesting party directly with or without revealing
`their identity or contact information.
`[0024] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a representative example
`of a flow of screens for presentation to a mobile subscriber in
`accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention.
`[0025] FIG. 8 is an illustration presenting a process for
`formatting a trigger message to indicate if the telephone num-
`ber of a requesting party has been screened to ensure presen-
`tation of the requesting party s identity, in accordance with an
`exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
`[0026] FIG. 9 is an illustration of representative logic for an
`application residing on the mobile subscriber's device for
`screening a message from a telephone number associated
`with a requesting party in accordance with an exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention.
`[0027] FIG. 10 is an illustration of network components
`and messages useful for providing the identity blocking code
`for the current network serving mobile equipment, in accor-
`dance with an exemplary embodiment of the present inven-
`tion.
`[0028] FIG. 11 is an illustration of MDMS server logic flow
`useful for determining the appropriate method of blocking
`subscriber identifiable information when a mobile subscriber
`attempts to directly contact a requesting party, in accordance
`with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
`[0029] FIG. 12 is an illustration of mobile equipment logic
`flow for using the calling line identification (CLID) block
`code if available, in accordance with an exemplary embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`[0030] FIG. 13 is an illustration of mobile equipment logic
`flow for providing an option to automatically add a requesting
`party's information to a mobile subscriber's personal phone-
`book, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention.
`[0031] FIG. 14 is an illustration of a system supporting
`direct communications between a mobile subscriber and a
`requesting party, in accordance with an exemplary embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`[0032] FIG. 15 is an illustration of a system having an
`MDMS server useful for determining an appropriate method
`for communicating an information request to a mobile sub-
`scriber, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0033] Additional aspects, features and advantages of the
`invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
`consideration of the following detailed description of illus-
`trated embodiments exemplifying the best mode for carrying
`out the invention as presently perceived.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0034] The present invention answers the deficiencies in
`the prior art by allowing a mobile subscriber user to allow,
`restrict, or deny access to their personal information or to
`alternatively contact the requesting party directly. The inven-
`tion uses the mobile network to provide a request for infor-
`mation release to a mobile subscriber. The invention also
`allows the release of the information to the party originally
`contacting the directory assistance service (requesting party)
`after the permission is granted by the mobile subscriber.
`[0035] An exemplary Mobile Directory Messaging System
`(MDMS), otherwise described as an information system,
`allows for a call into a directory assistance facility to be
`screened to determine if the request was for a landline,
`mobile, or other type of number. The user query is handled as
`a normal query if the request is for a landline number; how-
`ever, if it is determined the caller is attempting to ascertain the
`number for a mobile subscriber, the MDMS server would use
`the logic disclosed herein to respond to the request. For
`example, if the directory assistance platform determines that
`the requesting party is seeking a mobile number, the MDMS
`formats a short data message, typically a text message, for
`transmission to the mobile subscriber's communication
`device to request the mobile subscriber's permission to
`release the requested information to the requesting party. The
`request can contain information, such as, the requesting par-
`ty's name, requesting party's phone number, type of request,
`location information, telephone number request, address
`request, or any other information specific to the mobile sub-
`scriber (cid:9) hereafter referred to as directory information. The
`mobile subscriber can respond to the request issued by the
`MDMS server by granting, limiting, or denying the request-
`ing party access to the requested information, namely the
`directory information. Based on messaging from the MDMS
`server, the directory assistance system (or operator) can pro-
`vide the directory information to the requesting party if per-
`mission is granted by the mobile subscriber. Alternatively, if
`the MDMS server determines that permission is withheld by
`the mobile subscriber or if the mobile subscriber failed to
`respond to the request, the directory assistance system
`responds to the MDMS message by transmitting a message to
`the requesting party to indicate that the directory information
`is not available. If desirable by the network operator, the
`requesting party can be charged according to the availability
`of the directory information for release.
`[0036] If however, the mobile subscriber has delayed a
`grant of permission to release their directory information, the
`requesting party's contact information can be gathered and
`stored. When and if the permission grant is eventually
`received from the mobile subscriber, an exemplary embodi-
`ment of the MDMS can be programmed to automatically send
`the mobile subscriber's directory information to the request-
`ing party. This allows the requesting party to receive the
`requested information, typically directory information, even
`if the mobile subscriber's permission grant was delayed by an
`extended period. For example, the mobile subscriber's device
`may be turned off or the mobile subscriber declines to
`promptly respond to the message. The transmission of
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Ex. 1014
`
`

`

`US 2014/0295798 Al (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 2, 2014
`
`4
`
`requested information to the requesting party can take the
`form of a short message, such as a text message, sent to the
`requesting party's mobile device, an integrated voice
`response device (IVR) speaking the directory information to
`the requesting party or a voice mail, a live operator calling
`with the directory information, a web page with the relevant
`directory information, a simple e-mail with the contact direc-
`tory information, a multimedia message, a video message, or
`any other appropriate delivery mechanism (hereafter referred
`to as "Delivery").
`[0037] An exemplary MDMS can be programmed to store
`the mobile subscriber directory information in the event the
`requesting party can not be immediately contacted. This
`allows the requesting party to receive the directory informa-
`tion even if the mobile subscriber is not presently available to
`promptly respond to the directory information request. The
`directory information can be stored indefinitely until the
`MDMS server determines the mobile equipment is available
`or alternativel