| 摘要 |
A system and method for enabling a telephone number to be called in an anonymous manner by associating an identifier with the telephone number and providing for calling the number via the identifier. In one embodiment, the telephone call, including communication of the telephone number is performed using encryption. The identifier may be an email address or user identifier. Other users may call the telephone number via a website that operates as a virtual payphone, using software downloaded to a computer or other communication device, or by calling a voice portal, for example. |
| 主权项 |
1. A method for establishing a user to receive telephone calls, the method comprising:
receiving, at a web server, a telephone number from a first user; receiving, at the web server, an identifier, supplied by the first user, to be associated with the telephone number; storing the telephone number in association with the identifier; providing, via the web server, a registry of identifiers searchable by a plurality of users, the registry including the identifier; receiving, at the web server, the identifier from a second user desiring to communicate with a telephone associated with the telephone number; retrieving, at the web server, the telephone number associated with the identifier; initiating, with the web server, a communication to the telephone number associated with the identifier; and connecting the second user with the communication to the telephone number to provide communication between the first user and the second user, wherein the telephone number is concealed from the second user throughout the communication between the second user and the first user. |
