Apparatus, methods and systems for anonymous communication

Abstract

Anonymous voice communication between a first station and a second station is facilitated by providing an interface that allows input of a transaction specification from at least one of the first and second stations. A reference code associated with the transaction is generated, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and the address of the second station for voice communication. The reference code is supplied to the first station, and a voice communication request and the reference code are received from the first station. The reference code is used to recover said address and a channel for voice communication is opened between said first and second stations. Voice communication can thereby be established between the first and second stations without providing the address of the second station to the first station.

1. A method of facilitating anonymous communication between a first station and a second station, the second station having an address for communication, and each station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the method comprising:
 providing a transaction specification from at least one of the first and second stations,    generating a reference code in response to the transaction specification, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and said address,    supplying the reference code to at least the first station,    receiving a communication request from the first station,    receiving the reference code from the first station,    using the reference code to recover said address, and    opening a channel for communication between said first and second stations,    whereby anonymous communication can be established between the first and second stations without providing said address to the first station.    
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said address specifies a node on a circuit switched network. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said address specifies a node on a packet switched network. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said address specifies a node on a packet switched network, including Voice over IP. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the transaction specification includes inputting said transaction specification through a packet data network. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein there is a first party at the first station and a second party at the second station, and the step of providing the transaction specification includes the first party posting an inquiry, the second party posting a response, and the first party accepting or rejection the response. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the transaction specification includes providing an interface that allows negotiation between parties at the first and second stations respectively regarding the transaction specification. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the transaction specification includes inputting said transaction specification through a packet data network, including one of wired or wireless Internet. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising generating a connection instruction based on the transaction specification. 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising generating the reference code based on a connection instruction. 
     
     
       11. A method according to  claim 1 , including storing a database of user profiles including said address. 
     
     
       12. A method according to  claim 1 , including supplying the reference code to the first station over a packet data network. 
     
     
       13. A method according to  claim 1 , including supplying the reference code to the first station over a circuit switched network. 
     
     
       14. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising storing the reference code until after the transaction has been completed and then erasing the reference code. 
     
     
       15. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising supplying the reference code to both the first station and the second station. 
     
     
       16. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising connecting the first station and second station for voice communication over a circuit switched network. 
     
     
       17. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising connecting the first station and second station for voice communication over a packet data network. 
     
     
       18. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising connecting the first station and second station for voice communication through voice over IP. 
     
     
       19. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising verifying the communication request against at least one criterion specified in the transaction specification before opening the channel for communication. 
     
     
       20. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising rejecting the communication request if at least one criterion specified in the transaction specification is not satisfied. 
     
     
       21. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein there is a party at the second station and the method comprises verifying the identity of the party at the second station before opening the channel for communication. 
     
     
       22. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises generating a communication record including data regarding the transaction, including at least one of start time, end time, reference code, duration of communication, fee information, and billing information. 
     
     
       23. A method according to  claim 22 , wherein first and second identities are associated with the first and second stations respectively and the communication record includes at least one of the first identity and the second identity. 
     
     
       24. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising issuing a prompt to the first station to enter the reference code. 
     
     
       25. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein there is a first party at the first station and a second party at the second station, the first party is a purchaser of information and the second party is a seller of information, and the method comprises negotiating the transaction specification. 
     
     
       26. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein there is a first party at the first station and the method includes the first party initiating a request for communication. 
     
     
       27. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of supplying the transaction specification includes specifying a time or time interval for the communication request and the method includes determining whether the communication request is received from the first station at the specified time or time interval. 
     
     
       28. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of opening a communication channel includes attempting to establish a connection between the first and second stations, testing whether a connection is established, and, if not, scheduling a time for another attempt. 
     
     
       29. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises receiving from the second station specified times or time intervals at which a party is available at the second station for communication. 
     
     
       30. A method of establishing anonymous communication between a first station and a second station, the second station having an address for communication, and each station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the method comprising:
 supplying a transaction specification as packet data over the packet data network from at least one of the first and second stations to a controller,    generating a reference code in response to the transaction specification at the controller, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and said address,    supplying the reference code from the controller to at least the first station,    making a communication request from the first station to the controller,    supplying the reference code from the first station to the controller,    using the controller to recover said address from the reference code, and    opening a channel for communication between said first and second stations.    
     
     
       31. A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the method comprises making the communication request automatically by the first station contacting the controller unit. 
     
     
       32. A method according to  claim 30 , wherein there is a first party at the first station, and the method comprises making the communication request by the first party contacting the controller. 
     
     
       33. An apparatus for facilitating anonymous communication between a first party and a second party employing first and second stations respectively, each station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the second party having an address for communication, including
 a means for enabling negotiation of a transaction specification over the packet data network,    a means for generating a reference code, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and said address, and for supplying the reference code to at least the first party, a means for receiving a communication request from at least the first party and for receiving the reference code from at least the first party,    a means for using the reference code to recover said address, and    a means for opening a communication channel between said first party and said address without supplying said address to the first party.    
     
     
       34. An apparatus according to  33 , wherein the means for opening a communication channel includes a means to test whether a connection is established. 
     
     
       35. An apparatus according to  33 , further comprising means to verify the communication request against at least one criterion specified in the transaction specification before opening a communication channel between the first party and said address. 
     
     
       36. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the anonymous communication is voice communication being one of telephone, cellular and voice-over Internet protocol communication. 
     
     
       37. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the anonymous communication is data communication being one of email, chat, messaging and web publishing. 
     
     
       38. A method of facilitating voice communication between a plurality of stations with each station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the method comprising:
   receiving a plurality of transaction specifications from at least a first one of the plurality of stations by a controller, each transaction specification specifying parameters of an individual transaction involving voice communication between the first station and at least a second station, at least one of the parameters identifying at least the second station,        generating a reference code by the controller in response to each transaction specification, there being a unique reference code for each transaction,        supplying the reference code from the controller to at least the first station,        receiving a voice communication request by the controller from the first station,        receiving the reference code by the controller from the first station, and        in response to receiving the voice communication request from the first station, opening a channel for voice communication between the first station and at least the second station without first receiving a request for voice communication with the first station from the second station by the controller, the channel for voice communication including a packet data network that is connected directly to at least one of the first and second stations.     
     
     
       39. A method according to  claim 38 , in which receiving at least a first transaction specification by the controller includes providing connection instructions for connecting the first and second stations. 
     
     
       40. A method according to  claim 39 , in which receiving connection instructions includes providing a time for communicating. 
     
     
       41. A method according to  claim 40 , further comprising determining by the controller, after receipt of the communication request, whether the communication request is made at a time that is consistent with the specified time for communicating. 
     
     
       42. A method according to  claim 38 , further comprising automatically initiating by the controller the communication at a specified time. 
     
     
       43. A method according to  claim 38 , wherein the communication channel includes Voice over Internet protocol. 
     
     
       44. A method according to  claim 38 , in which receiving a plurality of transaction specifications by the controller includes receiving a second transaction specification specifying parameters for another transaction involving voice communication between the first station and the second station. 
     
     
       45. A method according to  claim 44 , in which receiving the at least a first transaction specification further includes receiving a third transaction specification specifying parameters for another transaction involving voice communication between the first station and the third station. 
     
     
       46. An apparatus facilitating voice communication between a plurality of stations with each station being enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being connected directly to a packet data network, the apparatus comprising:
   a memory, and        a processor connected to the packet data network for receiving and storing in the memory a plurality of transaction specifications from at least a first one of the stations, each transaction specification specifying parameters of an individual transaction involving voice communication between the first station and another station, at least one of the parameters identifying at least the other station, generating a reference code in response, to each transaction specification, there being a unique reference code for each transaction, storing the reference code in the memory, supplying the reference code to the first station, receiving a voice communication request from the first station, receiving the reference code from the first station, and in response to receiving the voice communication request from the first station, opening a channel for voice communication between the first station and at least the second station without first receiving a request for voice communication with the first station from the second station, the channel for voice communication including a packet data network that is connected directly to at least one of the first and second stations.     
     
     
       47. An apparatus according to  claim 46 , in which the at least a first transaction specification includes connection instructions for connecting the first and second stations. 
     
     
       48. An apparatus according to  claim 47 , in which the connection instructions include a specified time for communicating. 
     
     
       49. An apparatus according to  claim 48 , in which the processor determines, after receipt of the communication request, whether the communication request is made at a time that is consistent with the specified time for communicating. 
     
     
       50. An apparatus according to  claim 46 , in which the processor automatically initiates the communication at a specified time. 
     
     
       51. An apparatus according to  claim 46 , in which there is at least a third station and there is a first transaction involving a distinct second station. 
     
     
       52. An apparatus according to  claim 46 , in which each transaction specification includes one or more of contact information, billing or charging information, and security information, individually or in any combination. 
     
     
       53. An apparatus according to  claim 46 , wherein the packet data network includes a wireless network. 
     
     
       54. A method of facilitating voice communication between a plurality of stations connected to a voice communication network, the method comprising:
   receiving a first transaction specification by a controller from a first station, the first transaction specification specifying parameters of a first transaction involving voice communication between the first station and a second station, at least one of the parameters of the first transaction specification identifying at least the second station,        receiving a second transaction specification by the controller from the first station, the second transaction specification specifying parameters of a second transaction involving voice communication between the first and second stations, at least one of the parameters of the second transaction specification identifying at least the second station,        receiving a request for voice communication in association with the first transaction specification by the controller from the first station, and        in response to receiving the request for voice communication from the first station, opening a channel for voice communication between the first and second stations in accordance with the first transaction specification without first receiving a request for voice communication with the first station from the second station by the controller, the channel for voice communication including a packet data network that is connected directly to at least one of the first and second stations.     
     
     
       55. A method according to  claim 54 , in which receiving a second transaction specification includes receiving a second transaction specification that is different than the first transaction specification. 
     
     
       56. A method according to  claim 54 , further comprising generating a first reference code by the controller in response to the first transaction specification and generating a second reference code in response to the second transaction specification. 
     
     
       57. A method according to  claim 56 , in which the first and second reference codes are different. 
     
     
       58. A method according to  claim 54 , in which the transaction specification parameters include a fee that will be charged to one of the first and second stations. 
     
     
       59. A method according to  claim 58 , in which the fee will be paid by one of the stations to the other of the stations. 
     
     
       60. A method according to  claim 54 , in which the first transaction specification parameters include a future designated time for the first transaction. 
     
     
       61. A method according to  claim 60 , in which the designated time is one of a point in time, a time period, and a recurring time period. 
     
     
       62. A method according to  claim 60 , further comprising not opening a channel for voice communication by the controller if the request for voice communication is not at the designated time. 
     
     
       63. A method according to  claim 54 , further comprising determining by the controller whether the request for voice communication is consistent with the specified parameters of the first transaction. 
     
     
       64. A method according to  claim 63 , further comprising not opening a channel for voice communication by the controller if the request for voice communication is not consistent with the transaction parameters. 
     
     
       65. A method according to  claim 54 , further comprising receiving a third transaction specification by the controller from the first station, the third transaction specification specifying parameters of a third transaction involving voice communication between the first station and a third station different than the second station, at least one of the parameters of the third transaction specification identifying at least the third station. 
     
     
       66. An apparatus facilitating voice communication between a plurality of stations connected to a voice communication network, the apparatus comprising:
   a memory, and        a processor receiving and storing in the memory a first transaction specification from a first one of the plurality of stations, the first transaction specification specifying parameters of a first transaction involving voice communication between the first station and a second one of the plurality of stations, at least one of the parameters identifying at least the second station, receiving and storing in the memory a second transaction specification from the first station, the second transaction specification specifying parameters of a second transaction involving voice communication between the first and second stations, receiving a request for voice communication in association with the first transaction from the first station, and in response to receiving the request for voice communication from the first station, opening a channel for voice communication between the first and second stations in accordance with the first transaction specification without first receiving a request for voice communication with the first station from the second station by the controller, the channel for voice communication including a packet data network that is connected directly to at least one of the first and second stations.     
     
     
       67. An apparatus according to  claim 66 , in which the second transaction specification is different than the first transaction specification. 
     
     
       68. An apparatus according to  claim 66 , in which the processor further generates and stores in the memory a first reference code in response to the first transaction specification and generates and stores in the memory a second reference code in response to the second transaction specification. 
     
     
       69. An apparatus according to  claim 68 , in which the first and second reference codes are different. 
     
     
       70. An apparatus according to  claim 66 , in which the transaction specification parameters include a fee that will be charged to one of the first and second stations. 
     
     
       71. An apparatus according to  claim 70 , in which the fee will be paid by one of the stations to the other of the stations. 
     
     
       72. An apparatus according to  claim 66 , in which the first transaction specification parameters include a future designated time for the first transaction. 
     
     
       73. An apparatus according to  claim 72 , in which the designated time is one of a point in time, a time period, and a recurring time period. 
     
     
       74. An apparatus according to  claim 72 , in which the processor does not open a channel for voice communication if the request for voice communication is not at the designated time. 
     
     
       75. An apparatus according to  claim 66 , in which the processor further determines whether the request for voice communication is consistent with the specified parameters of the first transaction. 
     
     
       76. An apparatus according to  claim 75 , in which the processor does not open a channel for voice communication if the request for voice communication is not consistent with the transaction parameters. 
     
     
       77. An apparatus according to  claim 66 , in which the processor is further for receiving and storing in the memory a third transaction specification from the first station, the third transaction specification specifying parameters of a third transaction involving voice communication between the first station and a third station. 
     
     
       78. A method of facilitating voice communication between a first station and an identified second station, the first and second stations being connected to a voice communication network, the method comprising:
   receiving at least a first transaction specification by a controller from at least one of the first and second stations, the transaction specification specifying parameters of a transaction involving voice communication between the first and second stations, the parameters specifying a future designated time for the transaction and identifying at least the second station,        receiving a request for voice communication in association with the transaction specification by the controller from the first station, and        in response to receiving the request for voice communication from the first station, opening a channel for voice communication between the first and second stations without first receiving a request for voice communication with the first station from the second station, the channel for voice communication including a packet data network that is connected directly to at least one of the first and second stations.     
     
     
       79. A method according to  claim 78  in which one of the stations has a display device, the method further comprising displaying information on the display device related to the other station or the party operating the other station, the displayed information including a displayed field, receiving from the user by the controller an indication that the displayed field is selected, and in response to the selection of the displayed field, opening a channel for voice communication by the controller between the first and second stations. 
     
     
       80. A method according to  claim 78 , in which the designated time is a recurring time period. 
     
     
       81. A method according to  claim 78 , further comprising determining by the controller whether the request for voice communication is made at the designated time. 
     
     
       82. A method according to  claim 78 , further comprising not opening a channel for voice communication by the controller if the request for voice communication is not at the designated time. 
     
     
       83. An apparatus facilitating voice communication between a first station and an identified second station, the first and second stations being connected to a voice communication network, the apparatus comprising:
   a memory, and        a processor for receiving and storing in the first memory at least a first transaction specification from the first station, the transaction specification specifying parameters of a transaction involving voice communication between the first and second stations, the parameters specifying a future designated time for the transaction and identifying at least the second station, receiving a request for voice communication in association with the transaction specification from the first station, and in response to receiving the request for voice communication from the first station, opening a channel for voice communication between the first and second stations without first receiving a request for voice communication from the second station, the channel for voice communication including a packet data network that is connected directly to at least one of the first and second stations.     
     
     
       84. An apparatus according to  claim 83  in which one of the stations has a display device, the processor further for sending to the one station information related to the other station or the party operating the other station for display on the display device, the display information including a display field, receiving from the user an indication that the display field is selected, and in response to the selection of the display field, opening a channel for voice communication between the first and second stations. 
     
     
       85. An apparatus according to  claim 83 , in which the designated time is a recurring time period. 
     
     
       86. An apparatus according to  claim 83 , in which the processor determines whether the request for voice communication is made at the designated time. 
     
     
       87. An apparatus according to  claim 86 , in which the processor does not open a channel for voice communication if the request for voice communication is not at the designated time. 
     
     
       88. A method of facilitating voice communication between a plurality of stations connected to a voice communication network, each station having an address for communication and enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being directly connected to a packet data network, the method comprising:
   receiving a transaction specification by a controller from at least one of the plurality of stations,        generating a reference code by the controller in response to the transaction specification, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and the address of the one station,        supplying the reference code by the controller to an other station,        receiving a communication request by the controller from the other station for voice communication with the one station, the communication request from the other station employing at least partly the reference code supplied by the controller to the other station,        notifying the one station by the controller of the communication request received from the other station, and        receiving a request by the controller from the one station to refuse communication with the other station, the request received from the one station having been sent over a packet data network that is directly connected to the one station.     
     
     
       89. An apparatus facilitating voice communication between a plurality of stations connected to a voice communication network, each station having an address for communication and enabled to transmit and receive packet data and being directly connected to a packet data network, the apparatus comprising:
   a memory, and        a processor for receiving and storing in the memory a transaction specification from at least one of the plurality of stations, generating and storing in the memory a reference code in response to the transaction specification, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and the address of the one station, supplying the reference code to at least an other station, receiving a communication request from the other station for voice communication with the one station, the communication request from the other station employing at least partly the reference code supplied by the controller to the other station, notifying the one station of the communication request received from the other station, and receiving a request from the one station to refuse communication with the other station, the request received from the one station having been sent over a packet data network that is directly connected to the one station.