A method and system of communication with identity and directory management

Abstract

A communication system including a plurality of private directories containing information; and a plurality of public directory listings stored on a data network, each subscriber of the communication system having a private directory and at least one public directory listing, each public directory listing being configured to enable information requests for information from a target subscriber's private directory to be made by making requests to subscribers and to be reviewed by or on behalf of the target subscriber in order to determine what information, if any, will be supplied in response to the information request.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a communication system. In one aspect, the communication system enables users to have directory listings without revealing their identities. In another aspect, the communication system enables a user to check information requests or check information requests on behalf of the user. Background technique [0002] In traditional communication networks, directory information is maintained centrally, and small amounts of public data such as names, phone numbers, and street addresses are kept for each user. The privacy of directory information for communicating users of these traditional networks is not particularly problematic. This is because "brute force" searching - ie contacting a large number of users to find a single user - using a small amount of public information is more expensive, eg because of the higher cost of making many phone calls. Furthermore, there is usually little harm that can occur as a result of spo...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0010] 3. This directory service stores static directory information and is not suitable for handling rapid changes in directory information

The more frequently contact information changes, the more emails need to be sent out, which only makes the problem worse

[0012] 5. Storing all contact information on a central database brings system security risks, because if the central database is compromised (through technical attacks, legal methods, personal abuse or other means), all contact information may be in the user, contact Or there may be central authorities that have become able to access the

[0016] The problem with peer-to-peer networks is that when trying to make a peer-to-peer connection, it is not possible to know with certainty that the connection does not exist, i.e. it may be due to the fluidity of the peer-to-peer network, and the connection is missed during the search process

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